Former Hoarder and couponing and stockpiling

[pharrothead]

I have OCD, though I am not a hoarder, but I feel like I can relate. It's all about keeping checks and balances on yourself. I was to a point in my life where when small speck of dirt would send me into a downward spiral of cleaning for hours on end (things that really, truly did not need cleaned for the umpteenth time that day/week).

For someone who doesn't understand it...it would be something so tiny as a piece of dust on a blind that would send me into a tizzy of taking the blinds down, soaking them in bleach, scrubbing for hours, hanging them over the edge of the tub to dry, then while they were drying realizing the window was dirty... repeat process of scrubbing the glass for a ridiculous amount of time..oops the windowsill is dirty...here we go again..then you notice xyz is next to the window and now because it's clean it looks filthy. This would go on sometimes for an entire day or more. I wouldn't sleep, barely eat, and it was debilitating.

When I first started couponing, I realized my largest stockpile was..cleaning supplies. I had more kitchen and bathroom cleaner than a family the size of the Duggars would need in a year. It took me a bit, but I donated a good chunk of it instead of putting myself in a place where I had my trigger in my house in mass quantities.

I live in a single wide trailer now. Part of my OCD, as stated, is keeping things orderly, clean and in their place. So that helps me keep stockpiling too much of something in check. I am very careful to only buy about as much as we will use in a 12 week cycle. Do I go overboard sometimes, sure. But, DBF keeps me grounded and if I over buy I have learned to donate to someone who can use it instead of sitting in my house, taking up room, and going to waste.

[Charise820]

Thank you for sharing!

[dani113077]

wow! this brings up a lot of issues for me! I have hoarding tendencies. I have never been diagnosed as a hoarder. Believe it or not couponing helped me in a way. Hubby said that we did not have anymore room for stuff for me to stockpile, and if I wanted to do so I had to clear other stuff out.
I finally broke down and got rid of stuff when I found an awesome deal on the only laundry soap I use. It was BOGO free w/ BOGO free coupon. I had 20 coupons. Bought 40 for tax only. Gave 10 away before I got home. (that about killed me, but it was for my other family members, single parents w/ limited income) I got rid of 337 VHS movies to make room for them. I collected them so it was very very hard for me. Next was the kid clothing. I dont know why I saved so much-they could not wear it any more. I took down the boxes of clothes and saved 3 outfits that had very special memories. (coming home outfit, etc.) I replaced it with pullups, flushable wipes, and wipes. Funny how once I started doing this it got easier. I now have a new clean trashcan by my front door. If it doesn't fit, have a home, just tired of it, or have read it it goes into the can. When the can is full I take it to the closest donation center. If family or friends come over they know it is up for grabs. Once I started it was so much easier! Now hubby was worried about me replacing one hoarding issue with another, but I always seemed to under calculate how long things would last. I thought I had plenty of pullups-lasted 3 months. Wipes (I use these for everything) 30 packs lasted 6 months. I found that if I have a stockpile of things I will use it more often/give away more often. Like the wipes I originally had 40 packs, but gave 10 away (Before I brought it into the house) That seems to be key for me in donating. I have to do the 'good' stuff before I bring it into the stockpile. Otherwise I might not donate it.

Not saying it has all been a piece of cake. It has not!! I fight with myself over every item I put in the can. To keep myself from pulling it back out, I have to hurry and fill it to donate. At one point in my life I had over 2000 books. I love to keep them. I now only have 40 books. These are mostly how-to and cook books now. I read something and want to keep it, but donate instead.

My hubby is very happy about the changes in the house. (my limit on stockpiling is 10-20 with few exceptions) My still last hurdle with hoarding is the kids toys. I keep thinking they will play with it, and don't want to get rid of their toys. I am still not sure how to deal with this one, but hubby is really on my case about it. So I got to find a way.

My 10-20 rule is this. 10 for items that last longer (toothpaste, toothbrushes). 20 for more frequently used (shampoo, bodywash) Exceptions-toilet paper (though I never get a deal on that in my location) tissues, paper towels, drinks, things gone through constantly as snacks/meals (roman noodles, or any noodles, spaghetti sauce) I might have 20 of these, or if free I could have 100. But we are a large family (2 adults, 3 kids) If we make roman noodles for dinner we need 8 packs. Things we go through in large quantities-very very frequently-are the exceptions. I don't care if I can get 20 things of deodorant for FREE. I don't use that kind. (I will sometimes leave the coupon by the item though)

It really does make me feel good to give stuff away now. I once got a 'high' knowing I had all of this stuff 'in case I needed it'. Now I get a 'high' giving things away that someone else might need.

PS-you are doing great so far. I have seen some not even change when their children were taken away. I am so glad you are getting help. keep up the good fight!

[pharrothead]

Dani, why not get your kids involved in purging toys? Every so often I make DD go through hers and tell her whatever is still in good usable condition we will pass on to other kids or donate. Win win. Plus we weed through the things that are missing pieces and parts and get rid of them instead of storing them hoping some day you will find the matching teeny tiny barbie shoe hidden in some obscure place, kwim?

[dani113077]

I have tried this, and usually it is ...no you cant donate that it is your brothers/sisters...type thing. They want to keep everything that is theirs, but give away all of their brothers/sisters stuff. They are more than welcome to put it in the donate can though. My oldest (10) will do this. She is pretty good about it. My other two (6,4) it is just best to wait until they are away. I am pretty good about getting rid of the broken ones. Last time I went through their toys I got rid of 4 big trash bags full of stuff. It has been a while since I have done this though.

[MamaBear6102]

Hey
I can relate and understand where you are in your recovery. When we went from living in a house to living in a 5 room apt. I came to the realization that I was a hoarder and actually needed a lot of help getting rid of everything I had to get rid of in order to fit into this apt. I am still editing and sticking to the throw away at least 10 items a day rule.

When it comes to couponing and stockpiling I only buy multiples of things when it is 100% free and its something that I know will be gone in a month or 2. My stockpile is small and I keep it that way because I don't have much space and I don't want it to get out of hand.

I live in a teeny tiny NYC apt so that comment really made me laugh.