Stockpiles and Comfort Levels

[Chocolate Lover]

Jul 9, 2014 15:53:35 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

Jul 9, 2014 13:32:21 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

I know you already decided on the freezer thing, but just a thought for you... my great aunt fills her bathtub up with stuff out of the freezer when she defrosts. I'm pretty sure it survives the defrost time. Maybe larger things that would take longer to thaw out could go there instead of the cooler when you are ready.

It was so warm in the garage it started melting off within minutes.  I don't think anything was out longer than 30 minutes.  Next time I'll watch it more carefully.

That's warm! 

[Chocolate Lover]

Jul 9, 2014 15:54:22 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

mmhmm was teaching me how to do it. I'm blonde and old, guess how long that takes...

I know, I'm just a wee bit bored....

[Blonde Granny]

I normally defrost in the spring and again before we leave for our winter trip. This time it's been since mid-October, so it was time. All done, food neatly stacked and organized....at least for now.  I also usually do it when there is not much left in there, this time I should have paid more attention.

[NoNamePerson]

Since I'm not a stockpiler just color me blond but if your freezer is almost full what is it you are stockpiling? Sounds like you would be needing to eat some of previously stockpiled stuff or is it just the stockpiling that is the goal. What happens when freezer is full and one has a ton of stuff to stockpile, go buy another freezer?

Like I said I'm not a piler so maybe I am overlooking something here?

[Iggy aka IG]

Jul 10, 2014 7:10:42 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

Since I'm not a stockpiler just color me blond but if your freezer is almost full what is it you are stockpiling? Sounds like you would be needing to eat some of previously stockpiled stuff or is it just the stockpiling that is the goal. What happens when freezer is full and one has a ton of stuff to stockpile, go buy another freezer?

Like I said I'm not a piler so maybe I am overlooking something here?

Hi NNP!

I cannot speak for others, but to answer your first question, having a full freezer is one of the reasons why I temporarily stopped stockpiling a month or two ago.  We ran out of room!  (We had the garage old fridge/freezer plugged in for awhile to hold more, but I am too frugal to pay the extra electricity.)

[Chocolate Lover]

Jul 10, 2014 7:10:42 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

Since I'm not a stockpiler just color me blond but if your freezer is almost full what is it you are stockpiling? Sounds like you would be needing to eat some of previously stockpiled stuff or is it just the stockpiling that is the goal. What happens when freezer is full and one has a ton of stuff to stockpile, go buy another freezer?

Like I said I'm not a piler so maybe I am overlooking something here?

If you're my mother, yes. Or call me and ask if I have space.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Some mid-thread trivia for you:  I have never defrosted a freezer. (grin)

I have also never watched Breaking Bad.

And I have never changed a diaper.

(Yes, those are absolutely unrelated things)

We now return to our regularly scheduled discussion of stockpiling.

[dancinmama]

Jul 7, 2014 14:40:07 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

I don't exactly have a stock pile, certainly according to some of the pics I've seen of women who take this way beyond seriously. I've never seen the need for 500 toothbrushes or 100 bottles of Dawn liquid. How ever there are some things I should buy by the case because we like them and use them year round. Example if the Campbells Healthy tomato basil soup.  But I never seem to get around to doing that either, and Sams doesn't carry that item in bulk or any other way.  Besides, how many cans are in a case anyway.

So to answer your question, no I don't panic, I suspect I will usually have more than 1 item on hand, then it gets put on the grocery list.

Well, I am one of those people who took it "way beyond seriously" and stockpiled over 100 bottles of Dawn, in addition to large quantities of every non-perishable that we use on a regular basis (paper products/Ziplocs/foil, laundry products, household cleaners, toiletries including razors, and even things like Q-tips, sponges, kitchen gloves, and more). 

Why?  Stockpiling when products have been free or at a rock bottom price over the last 25 years helped us to live well off a single income, max out DH's 401k, pay off two mortgages, and never carry credit card debt or a car payment - which ultimately allowed DH to retire early at age 56.  So ya, I take saving money when and where I can pretty seriously.  

When the drug chains presented the opportunity to stockpile non-perishables, I was all over it.  I patiently waited until products we used were free and then I'd stockpile according to the limits.   We are not collectors of "stuff" so we had ample storage space to store the products inside our home in cabinets, closets, and cupboards.  Over time I was able to amass healthy stockpiles.  When the freebies at the drug chains dried up (for me), I stopped stockpiling.

I realize that creating large stockpiles isn't/wasn't for everyone, but I saw what I viewed an a limited window of opportunity and made the decision to get while the gettin' was good.  My "work" (not really, but don't tell my DH  ) will save us money for years to come. 

[dancinmama]

Jul 7, 2014 14:01:31 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

At what point do you consider your stockpile (freezer, pantry, HBAs, paper products, whatever) to be in need of replenishing?  Do you ever panic when it gets down to a certain level?

Based on my previous post, I obviously don't worry about running out of non-perishables. 

As far as food items are concerned, I'm always on the lookout for sales on items that we use on a regular basis.  When I see an item at a rock bottom price, I check how much I already have and stockpile according to what we will use before the product expires.   If I run out of something like pasta sauce, we don't eat pasta until I find sauce at a good price.  I base our menu on what we have on hand and what is on ad. 

The only time I might "panic" is when we are running low on a pantry staple, mayo for example, and I'm afraid that we'll run out before I find a rock bottom deal on it.  If it happens, I'll buy one of the product at the cheapest price possible at the time and keep looking.   

[Blonde Granny]

Right now our freezer contains 8- 1# pkgs. ground sirloin, 2 pork tenderloins, numerous fancy chicken things, a lot of precooked chicken breasts in 2 serving packages. 5 containers of potato casserole - 2 serving each, 2 precooked baby back ribs, about 10 packages of different frozen veggies, 1 4 lb chuck roast, 1 pkgs. chicken breasts, a very large package of corn meal from our local grist mill.  Ground beef & blue cheese burger patties from the Fresh Market, premade garlic bread.  4 large containers of raspberries and 3 large containers of strawberries, 1 small container blueberries.

I will add 6 or so containers of homemade chili, homemade marinara sauce and anything else that I find interesting enough to buy extra of with one for the kitchen freezer and 1 for the garage freezer.

Does that answer your question No Name?

Before winter I will add a couple of gallons of skim milk and probably a few bottles of water.  We live in tornado and ice storm country.  It's not unusual for power to be out around here for a week or 2 so premade food is easier to deal with.  I have a gas cooktop and we have a Honda 2000 generator.

[Blonde Granny]

Jul 10, 2014 12:23:49 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Jul 7, 2014 14:40:07 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

I don't exactly have a stock pile, certainly according to some of the pics I've seen of women who take this way beyond seriously. I've never seen the need for 500 toothbrushes or 100 bottles of Dawn liquid. How ever there are some things I should buy by the case because we like them and use them year round. Example if the Campbells Healthy tomato basil soup.  But I never seem to get around to doing that either, and Sams doesn't carry that item in bulk or any other way.  Besides, how many cans are in a case anyway.

So to answer your question, no I don't panic, I suspect I will usually have more than 1 item on hand, then it gets put on the grocery list.

Well, I am one of those people who took it "way beyond seriously" and stockpiled over 100 bottles of Dawn, in addition to large quantities of every non-perishable that we use on a regular basis (paper products/Ziplocs/foil, laundry products, household cleaners, toiletries including razors, and even things like Q-tips, sponges, kitchen gloves, and more). 

Why?  Stockpiling when products have been free or at a rock bottom price over the last 25 years helped us to live well off a single income, max out DH's 401k, pay off two mortgages, and never carry credit card debt or a car payment - which ultimately allowed DH to retire early at age 56.  So ya, I take saving money when and where I can pretty seriously.  

When the drug chains presented the opportunity to stockpile non-perishables, I was all over it.  I patiently waited until products we used were free and then I'd stockpile according to the limits.   We are not collectors of "stuff" so we had ample storage space to store the products inside our home in cabinets, closets, and cupboards.  Over time I was able to amass healthy stockpiles.  When the freebies at the drug chains dried up (for me), I stopped stockpiling.

I realize that creating large stockpiles isn't/wasn't for everyone, but I saw what I viewed an a limited window of opportunity and made the decision to get while the gettin' was good.  My "work" (not really, but don't tell my DH  ) will save us money for years to come. 

We didn't have CVS around here, they are building 2 of them now one in our town.  But I never could figure out how to roll all those things to get such great deals.  If I could, I would.  Right now my pantry is reaching max capacity.  I still need a trip to Sams Club, maybe next week to add a few more things.  It will then become fill in things as we use some of them.  There was a website I think called Hot Coupons deals or something.  Holy cow, the pics of their freezers and basements were overwhelming.  I wouldn't know how to start...and with just the 2 of us, sometimes we can't use things up quickly enough before the extras aren't any good anymore.

[dancinmama]

Jul 10, 2014 14:30:33 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

Jul 10, 2014 12:23:49 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Well, I am one of those people who took it "way beyond seriously" and stockpiled over 100 bottles of Dawn, in addition to large quantities of every non-perishable that we use on a regular basis (paper products/Ziplocs/foil, laundry products, household cleaners, toiletries including razors, and even things like Q-tips, sponges, kitchen gloves, and more). 

Why?  Stockpiling when products have been free or at a rock bottom price over the last 25 years helped us to live well off a single income, max out DH's 401k, pay off two mortgages, and never carry credit card debt or a car payment - which ultimately allowed DH to retire early at age 56.  So ya, I take saving money when and where I can pretty seriously.  

When the drug chains presented the opportunity to stockpile non-perishables, I was all over it.  I patiently waited until products we used were free and then I'd stockpile according to the limits.   We are not collectors of "stuff" so we had ample storage space to store the products inside our home in cabinets, closets, and cupboards.  Over time I was able to amass healthy stockpiles.  When the freebies at the drug chains dried up (for me), I stopped stockpiling.

I realize that creating large stockpiles isn't/wasn't for everyone, but I saw what I viewed an a limited window of opportunity and made the decision to get while the gettin' was good.  My "work" (not really, but don't tell my DH  ) will save us money for years to come. 

We didn't have CVS around here, they are building 2 of them now one in our town.  But I never could figure out how to roll all those things to get such great deals.  If I could, I would.  Right now my pantry is reaching max capacity.  I still need a trip to Sams Club, maybe next week to add a few more things.  It will then become fill in things as we use some of them.  There was a website I think called Hot Coupons deals or something.  Holy cow, the pics of their freezers and basements were overwhelming.  I wouldn't know how to start...and with just the 2 of us, sometimes we can't use things up quickly enough before the extras aren't any good anymore.

That's why my focus when playing the drug chain rewards game was on stockpiling products that will never "go bad".  I do have a tip for food products though.  When you open a pantry staple (coffee, mayo, pasta sauce, etc.), mark the date on the outside of the package/container.  Then transfer that date and the date you open the new container onto the next container.  Rinse and repeat until you get an idea of the rate of usage.  Then when you find the product at a rock bottom price, you'll have a good idea of how much to stockpile based on your usage and the expiration date marked on the package.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

When I started saving at the drug chains, I didn't have a CVS either.  Most of my stockpiling of non-perishables was done from Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Longs.   Eventually, however, I did get a CVS which was a huge help.  Learning to roll rewards efficiently takes a little time, but there are a lot of sites like hotcouponworld.com and weusecoupons.com that were/are friendly and willing to help anyone who wants to learn.

Thanks to the internet and the TV show Extreme Couponing, eventually manufacturers and retailers caught on to the massive, free stockpiles that were being accumulated.  They started imposing limits on deals, coupon usage, coupon stacking, etc. to curtail cheap/free stockpiling.  I have been out of the loop for over 18 months and although I read that there are still some good deals to be had, the yield of free products is not even close to what it used to be.  I stopped because it was no longer worth any amount of time or effort on my part to buy Dawn for $.25/bottle when I had 100 of them in my stockpile for free.  Rinse and repeat for most non-perishable products the drug chains regularly offer rewards for buying.

[Iggy aka IG]

I'm down to my last stockpiled deodorant from last year.  The expiration date on it is 07/2013. 

[Blonde Granny]

I used my label maker to date things so I could find out how long some thins last.  My container of Oil of Olay lotion says 9-11-2011. I certainly don't need even 2 of those.

[pepperdoo]

I haven't been posting much because I have been on the hunt for bargains. I always look when I am out, and if there are things that I can use up, I will stockpile. Having to pay for a ridiculous medical insurance policy will do that. 

[dancinmama]

Jul 10, 2014 16:48:51 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

I'm down to my last stockpiled deodorant from last year.  The expiration date on it is 07/2013. 

I wouldn't worry about it.  I stockpiled about 30 Degree deodorants using TRY ME FREE coupons way back when it was first introduced on the market.  In those days there were no expiration dates on deodorants and we used all 30 with no problems or noticeable changes in effectiveness.  

[Blonde Granny]

I have really short hair now, this is the first time ever. I have 2 containers of shampoo in the shower and 3 more large ones in the linen closet. Considering how little it takes now to wash my hair, I just might use some of it for shower gel.  And I suspicion I have more than 1 conditioner hiding in the closet also.

I do best when I stay out of the HBA aisles at the store, otherwise I just keep buying.

[NoNamePerson]

Ok, gonna ask two more really dumb questions. I haven't had a "free standing" freezer since 1982 so just wondering do they make frost free freezers?

And what is hba aisle? I tried to google that but no clear answer on first try and to lazy to keep looking.

I find this thread interesting for some reason   Learn all kinda new stuff. 

[Blonde Granny]

I don't know if they make those or not, NNP. I did read that food stores best when the temp does not fluctuate. It doesn't change much for a regular freezer, but what makes one frost free is that the temp inside will get warmer in order to keep the frost from forming, then it gets colder again.

HBA= health & beauty (aids) I think.  You know, all that stuff you can buy that will make a 70 y/o appear to be 25 again.

And you can't ask any dumb questions here...so ask away.

[NoNamePerson]

Jul 11, 2014 7:33:35 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

I don't know if they make those or not, NNP. I did read that food stores best when the temp does not fluctuate. It doesn't change much for a regular freezer, but what makes one frost free is that the temp inside will get warmer in order to keep the frost from forming, then it gets colder again.

HBA= health & beauty (aids) I think.  You know, all that stuff you can buy that will make a 70 y/o appear to be 25 again.

And you can't ask any dumb questions here...so ask away.

Well, that makes sense about the freezers. Never thought about it like that.

AHHH, you are so right about the HBA's except they don't seem to be working on this end   I am terrible with abbreviations so just finally had to ask. Thanks

[Blonde Granny]

NNP, another interesting fact about freezers: They will operate more efficiently if they are kept full.  In order to do that sometimes, I freezer gallon bottles of water so they will take up the space.  Those can also keep the freezer cooler if there is an extended power outage.  Plus, you can freeze milk, I find skim freezes the best, butter and cheese.

[NoNamePerson]

Jul 11, 2014 20:02:32 GMT -5 @patstab said:

I can't believe the garden, onions are ready to pull, I did a bunch and laid them out to dry.

The fertilizer from the field above surely washed down on the garden. I have potato plants that come up to my waist! The beans potatoes and tomatoes are so big they are overlapping each other. I'm not sure we can even get between them.

I was weeding and pulled up 2 of my sweet potato plants, drat, they came up with the weeds.

Eggplants are setting on, bell peppers, tomatoes, butternut squash is huge and prolific as is the squash. The poblano peppers are blooming, cukes are growing, cabbages are heading.

I picked enough green beans to cook a mess. I love fresh produce.

Hope to can 50 quarts of green beans. Saturday and one day next week going to finish putting up the corn.

The potatoes and onions only kept till January last winter, wonder how I can get them to keep longer?

I've been wanting to try sweet potatos but never see any plants in any of our gardent centers. Do you buy plants or what? Just wondering. Thanks

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Jul 10, 2014 16:48:51 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

I'm down to my last stockpiled deodorant from last year.  The expiration date on it is 07/2013. 

Deodorant expires?

[NoNamePerson]

Thanks @patstab. I'll keep an eye out for plants then. I'm at the point of pulling up stuff in garden cause it has just about played out. I have one heirloom tomato plant that Jack and his beanstalk don't have anything on - it is almost 8ft tall and I have gotten so many tomatoes off it I am sick of them and so are my friends

I'm getting ready to replant most stuff. I just have 4 raised beds though so nowhere near what you have but boy have I had the harvest this year.  OK, enough of gardening and back to the stockpiling thread.

[dancinmama]

Jul 11, 2014 21:48:08 GMT -5 ❤ mollymouser ❤ said:

Jul 10, 2014 16:48:51 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

I'm down to my last stockpiled deodorant from last year.  The expiration date on it is 07/2013. 

Deodorant expires?

I know, right? 

The expiration dates on products reflect the latest period of time that the manufacturer has tested the product for effectiveness, quality, taste, etc.  Testing is very expensive and shorter expiration dates are to the manufacturers' advantage because most people will automatically throw the product out if it is past "the date".   Many products (like deodorant), some foods, and even some OTC meds, etc., are good, effective, etc. way past the "expiration" date stamped on the product.

And it can vary from brand to brand.  I have no clue why, but the texture of some products changes over time faster than a competing brand.  If you're going to stockpile toothpaste, Colgate is a better brand to stockpile over Crest.   Vaseline Intensive Care lotion will get watery over time, but Aveeno does not have the same tendency to do that.  Right now I have a few bottles of Suave Naturals lotion that I believe will "behave" more like Vaseline than Aveeno or Eucerin, so those are what we are using first out of the stockpile.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

If anyone was concerned or worried, you can rest easy. Thanks to Amazon, I have now cornered the market on Ponzu sauce.

[Blonde Granny]

Way to go Molly!!!!!!!!!!

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

[Sam_2.0]

Well, instead of stockpiling diapers I think I've been convinced to try out cloth. Will still do some disposables, but this should take our cost down considerably!

And now with 4 bathrooms to stock up I realized our stockpile of TP is dangerously low. I just got a MyPoints Walmart bonus email so I will make my order there. Almost have enough points for a $100 Walmart giftcard, which I will recycle into diapers and things for baby J.

More & more I am going to reusable things instead of disposable things. Picked up some microfiber cloths from the dollar store this weekend for cleaning (instead of paper towels) and picked up some hand towels for the bathrooms from Big Lots. Spent $8 for all of it And now that we have a water softener our detergent is going to last a lot longer since I only have to use half of the small amount I was using.

[Deleted]

I hate clutter so I don't stockpile.  I think having all those things sitting around would send me into therapy.