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So many times a stockpiler will hear the word “hoarder” thrown at them and I wanted to address something. Yes, we have a stockpiling series here on AIC and even a post describing hoarding vs stockpiling, but a lot of you come to me and you ask me the same question:
Where do you draw the line?
For me, I don’t stockpile to stockpile. I stock because I have been through more than my fair share of times in life where there wasn’t enough. I can remember paying for diapers ALL in pennies and going without tp for a week because there just wasn’t enough money to cover it. I was homeless for 10 months in a place where you practically had to beg for anything out of their donation closet (although I am and will always be grateful for that place) and I can remember a point in time where I literally went 3 years w/out a spare razor, stick of deodorant and more.
I stockpile for security. In today’s day and age, emergencies pop up with no warning whatsoever and a lot of the time we’re caught unprepared and scrambling to fix things. Whether it be a weather emergency, the illness or death of a loved one or loss of income, we can really take a hit in our lives. I have a very unstable income. One month I may make enough to cover the bills and more and the next I may be lucky to break $500 for the MONTH. I stockpile for this reason. If something happens, if my income drops, if the weather turns horrid..or yes, if the Zombie Apocalypse starts (lol), I’m ready and I’m prepared. I know that no matter what happens, my family will be fed and clean.
I personally stock for a year. I figure if things haven’t gotten better in a year? They likely aren’t going to very easily. For some a year seems excessive…for others, it’s not enough.
That’s the kicker:
The answer to the question? When it is too much?
Only YOU can answer that.
If you’re worried you’re hoarding, you might just be. If you’re worried you don’t have enough, you might not. Each and every one of us has our own limits and our own “too much” line.
If you’re new to couponing and stockpiling, it may take a bit for you to figure your line out. Keep plugging away though. You’ll get it soon enough. If you end up with too much? You can always donate. 
i try to stockpile cuz i make only 65 bucks a week and im living off my daughters ssi to pay the rent n bills..that breaks my heart. i dont have room for alot cuz im in a small aprtment but im using a bookshelf in the corner. im always running outa things, especially milk n tp so i try to get savign when i can. i too have used pennies or had a friend buy daipers for my kids because i couldnt. i been trying to stockpile pastas n soups cuz im gona lose my foodstamps n dont want my kids hungry..its very hard being broke and struggling to get asecound job in this weak economy but i try my best to get by..and im VERY GRATEFUL for what i have….i have seen some people just being plain greedy bt if ur not gona use that much of an item plz save some for the rest of us..or donate to the less needy.
This is a great post. I stockpile for security as well. No one’s job is every truly secure, and who knows what may happen today or tomorrow that could change the world in such a way that we can’t get these items so readily. I’d much rather be prepared with food and hygiene products because with coupons I can do that. My timeline is usually enough of whatever item before it will “expire.” I check dates so that I’m not buying too much. But when I can’t resist using a coupon to get an item for free, then I donate to my family and friends and a place called The Joshua Tree. My aunt loves getting the stuff because she makes care packages for local low-income families. So I may seem like a hoarder when I post my coupon pictures, but people don’t know that I give most of it away. If it becomes too much in your house, donate it! Other people will appreciate it.
This past year my back was out for months. I was unable to shop and barely left the house in 4 months. I did not worry for one moment about food as my stockpile was there. My husband only had to pick up fresh items and milk. I let my kids shop in my stockpile as well. It’s a nice feeling to help others. I donate a lot and help others in need as well.
Lovely post! I have been there as well. I usually only go 2 or 3 months before I have to stop buying and start using my stockpile because money is so tight. But the money and sales always come back when it’s time to start again! Thanks for the encouraging words, it’s always nice to know that we’re not alone in our struggles.
I don’t have a huge stockpile. My stockpile is mainly laundry soap and hygeine products. I do have enough food in the the two pantries that I could quit going to the grocery store for a month or so and I’d have plenty to eat. I donate to the local Marine Mom’s group that send’s hygeine products to all local Soldier’s and Sailors that are currently serving in Afghanistan. My coupon shopping has kept the Men and Women from our area in Afghanistan with toothbrush’s, toothpaste, shaving cream, razors, deodorant and dental floss. I’m always giving away toiletries to my siblings and my Mom’s sister’s.
I also stockpile for security, and the best thing to do is look at your own life for how much to keep. Now that I no longer have a hoard of teenagers at home, what used to be a month’s supply of something might now last a year for just Hubz and me! I tend to practically hoard some things (TP–need it daily; no expiration.) For most things, I stay just ahead of what we will use in a few months–or a year, if we had to tighten up. I tend to keep things like shampoo, soap, deodorants, laundry soap, first aid supplies–those things that eat into the grocery store money but don’t provide something to eat. Though we mostly eat a fresh, whole foods kind of diet, I also keep some boxes and cans, just in case we need to skip the grocery store altogether for a while.
That’s the beauty of it though. You’ve figured out what works for you! That’s where a lot of people have trouble.
Pretty much the same reason I do. Yeah, I kid about zombies but it’s all in good fun
That’s wonderful that you donate like that Lin.
I’ve got the amount of products we use down to a science. I know how much of what we’ll use in a week, month and year. Once I reach that year’s mark, I stop stocking that item. I do donate a lot though too so I tend to buy more than we keep. The deodorant in that pic? Almost half of it is for donations. It’s just waiting until I get a large enough box full for me to justify the cab fare to get down there and drop it of..lol.
I see hoarding as buying more than you can reasonably use before the expiration date, or buying stuff that your household does not actually use only not to donate either – just buying something just because it’s a good price simply for the sake of growing the size of your stockpile. In my household, I’m responsible for providing everything from paper and pantry products, to EVERY type of Axe product (my 2 guys are very brand specific), tampons for my teenage daughter and myself, shampoo, bodywash and bar soap, shaving items, and various oral care, among many other things. There are times when I see a really good deal on something such as cereal, or bodywash and I have to repeatedly remind myself that I don’t need any more right now. Space is also an issue for me, so that helps keep it in check also. I guess each of us has different criteria, so one person’s hoarding, can be another person’s year’s worth of back stock.
I don’t need so much for myself but I donate to the fire victims in the winter when I can and also donate to the teen homeless shelter.. I also give to the senior homes.. it is nice to have extra so I can share… had some very tough times when I was a single mother.. I know what it is like to be scared and not have enough for meals the next day..
I make a lot of money now, but a few yrs ago I did not. Even with a child, a hubby on disability, and a job where I made minimum wage at 30 hrs a week, we could not get food stamps or any financial help outside of my parents. Now I stockpile because I know when and if anything happens again, we defiantly won’t get any help.
Like you said, it all depends on what your family uses & needs…I live alone so I usually only have one extra bottle or jar in the pantry (I would never use 12 bottles of ketchup or mustard) and when I know the existing jar or bottle is getting low, I add it to the grocery list. I do have a stash of tampons & liners as I had great coupons & hit good sales. I also have a stockpile of toilet paper….I would hate to run out!
i usually get things in sets of 3 or 6 because we have 3 people who live in the house and that leaves 2 items per person. i havent ran into the problem of having too much. i bought the stayfree pads and didn’t even use all the coupons i bought because i dont need 5 years worth lol and i wouldnt know who to give them to… even though they were free, i had to pay sales tax every time.
I put a couple months supply on my shelves but I box the rest up. My daughter is in Girl Scouts and every year they have April Showers, where they leave bags and ask for donations of household supplies. I love being able to donate boxes of stuff that never cost a cent. Not to mention if friends and family fall on hard times they know they can have whatever they need from my shelves.
Thank you for this article.I feel that if my family has enough in my stock pile. I can always help someone else.
This is a great article because some people just dont know when to slow down. I have been very lucky to have my stockpile too because my boyfriend lost his job and then I lost mine and I am beyond thankful that I have not had to buy the essentials.
Great article! I don’t have a stockpile, but I want to have a couple months supply. IMO I think it becomes too much when it takes over your whole house and there are piles, upon piles of items everywhere…
love your article. i too have been in a situation where i could not buy basic essentials for my family ( when i was a single mom). i am happy to be able to provide for my family now and with little cost to my pocket book.. i stockpile only the items that are necessary to live..plus my stockpile is super organzied!!!!:)