A sensitive subject in the Coupon World I know, but one I feel that needs to be covered. On Midwest Coupon Clippers Facebook Page, I have often heard, “I would LOVE to see a picture of your Stockpile!” Well Folks, You would be surprised to know, I ONLY have TWO Shelf Units in my kitchen. YES…ONLY TWO, and NOT all the shelves are for my “Stockpile.”
Yes I own a Coupon Blog, Yes I shop the Sale Cycles, Yes I am a big double Coupon Shopper…BUT that DOES NOT MEAN I am a Hoarder! On my blog page, Midwest Coupon Clippers, you WILL NOT SEE the bragging pictures of shelves and shelves full of product.
Honestly, I DO NOT SEE THE POINT. Sure, I could get 100 Razors, 100 boxes of noodles, 100 boxes of cereal, etc. for FREE…BUT WHY?
Ever had these little guys?
Once you get Pantry Moths, Getting rid of them is NO SIMPLE or in expensive task! And if you over the top stockpile, I guarantee YOU WILL GET THEM! They are already in the food you are buying. Flour, Pastas, Cereals, even Dog Food. Once this happens, ALL your Stockpile, ALL the money spent on buying coupon inserts or the ink and paper printing them is wasted.
I think often the “Stockpiling Obsession” is not about using the products, it is about that little “Rush” you get seeing everything you got for so cheap or often FREE.
If you need that feeling…that rush…that excitement of getting that deal… ADD TO THAT EXCITING FEELING and Donate these products you are “Scoring.” There honestly is no better feeling in the world then knowing you are helping someone in need! Be it another human being, or Animal. Donate, Donate, Donate.
Now, Let me explain to you what I DO Stock up on for our family personally! I shop sale cycles. (You can learn more how to do this HERE) We use a lot of BBQ Sauce, so when the summer sales hit and the coupons are out, I grab usually twenty to thirty to last throughout the year. For example last June, I got 25 bottles of Sweet Baby Rays FREE Thanks to the Sales and Coupons that were out. A few weeks ago I did the same for this year. About eight months ago I got $1/1 Gatorade Coupons, When my store ran these on sale, I not only got the Gatorade for FREE but it also turned this coupon into a $$ MoneyMaker $$ for me which in turn I could use the overage towards other groceries, like produce and meats. In this case, I stockpiled 50 to 75 Gatorades with Summer coming up at that point and Gatorade being one of my sons favorite beverages when he is out doing his sports, I knew these would be used. Another example, I recently got Snasuage Dog Treats for FREE with a Coupon and a Sale. I pre-ordered 30 of these, Kept 15 for our family dogs, and donated the other half. Besides these products, I DO NOT have an over abundance of any other products. At most maybe six of some, four or so of another.
Remember Folks, there is a FINE LINE between stockpiling and hoarding, which time and time again I see people crossing to the dark side. Stockpiling takes up room (A LOT OF ROOM) MONEY and Time! Why not keep a reasonable amount, and donate the rest? You will find a system that works right for you by buying less on a more frequent schedule. You will spend less, not waste as much, and MOST IMPORTANT be able to donate your extras and HELP OTHERS!
Great article! I appreciate your honesty. Your philosophy is a lot like mine. Keep up the awesome job! Thank you!