Toilet Paper - Again? Stocking Up?

[Deleted]

I'm curious if anyone else has been stocking up for the winter?

I read an article yesterday that mentioned toilet paper shortages happening again in Europe as more lockdowns are being implemented.

There's only one brand of TP I can use, so I ordered a case on Amazon before it runs out yet again.

DS went to buy hamburger yesterday and for the first time in a long time there wasn't any at the store.

Since my fridge has the world's smallest freezer, I can't store much meat. So, I'm back to thinking about meals that DS will eat that either don't have meat or use more compact meats like pepperoni on pizza, etc...

I placed an order with Amazon Pantry this morning and they once again have a warning about delays or not having pantry items. I assume that means their volume is up. 

[busymom]

I am in the process of filling up the pantry.  Cases of COVID are up here, and I expect eventually it'll affect the trucking industry once again.  JMHO.  


DH & I haven't purchased a new freezer for the basement yet, so there's only so much we can store of frozen food, but it's up for discussion...

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I have been restocking as I see good prices.  Last month, pasta got restocked.  Today, chicken was on sale for 0.77/lb, so bought that.  

Today at the store, I did take a stroll down the paper aisle.  It was not as full as it was pre pandemic, but there were several brands and sizes available.  I probably need to restock next Costco trip.

[NoNamePerson]

I didn’t stock up when this sh## started. And have had no problem getting it when needed. And that includes two more “runs” on stuff here due to possible hurricane scares. Now I do buy the largest I can find and it’s only me. But I replenish when down to 5 rolls. But I have done that for 30 years so no change 

[Tennesseer]

The Reverend Pat Robertson who supports trump said if trump is re-elected there will be violence, war(s) possibly involving Israel and then the Apocalypse will be here.

So maybe the beef shortage and future shortages like toilet paper, paper towels and Rotel will be in very short supply until like forever.

[Deleted]

Like NoName person I'm not stocking up on anything. It's just me in the house; I'm sure it's worse if you're trying to keep enough around for a large family. I think I had a half-dozen rolls of TP in March, bought a 30-pack at Costco and most of it is still left. Mostly I couldn't find hand sanitizer and I'm good on that. A few times I couldn't find a particular food I wanted but bought something else. I'm not picky and not going to drive from store to store hunting down Tater Tots.

[Deleted]

Oct 21, 2020 18:04:01 GMT -5 busymom said:

I am in the process of filling up the pantry.  Cases of COVID are up here, and I expect eventually it'll affect the trucking industry once again.  JMHO.  

DH & I haven't purchased a new freezer for the basement yet, so there's only so much we can store of frozen food, but it's up for discussion...

Agree about trucking.

I live where snow/ice are common, so I stock up a bit for that reason as well. Where I used to live, it wasn't unusual for the highways to close for a couple of days and people to freak out.

I also wonder how things like canneries stay open and packaging food if things get really bad. There's been talk about meat packing issues again if the pandemic rages.

I've always appreciated the Mormon's rule about having food stores. I think what we store helps to preserve the local store's stock for those who can't/didn't stock up.

I only buy foods we eat and never enough for it to go bad before its consumed. But, right now with the current issues, I can't see being able to put things back and not doing it. It's not a regret I want.

[Opti]

I probably should get some soon. I bought a box of tissues thinking I could use some and that was much less stocked than TP, so I bought a box of store brand. I'm in an older apartment with a TP holder not made for mega rolls. I'd like to find the pack I usually buy on sale at Walgreens. Wonder if they make it still?

Canned Hash remains a product that keeps getting a run on stock. Weird.

[Deleted]

Oct 21, 2020 18:24:52 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

The Reverend Pat Robertson who supports trump said if trump is re-elected there will be violence, war(s) possibly involving Israel and then the Apocalypse will be here.

So maybe the beef shortage and future shortages like toilet paper, paper towels and Rotel will be in very short supply until like forever.

While I can appreciate the sarcasm, it is an interesting thing to think about what happens if this winter rivals 1918. 

If so, would we have food supply shortages?

It's already getting hard to get appliances, auto body parts, and many other things. So, I don't think it's that "out there" of a concept.

Since most of us can't exactly go homestead and raise our own food, what's the responsible thing to do right now? 

If the pandemic rages, will our dollar drop and will we see inflation? I'd lobby that we already are. 

[CCL]

Oct 21, 2020 18:10:49 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

I have been restocking as I see good prices.  Last month, pasta got restocked.  Today, chicken was on sale for 0.77/lb, so bought that.  

Today at the store, I did take a stroll down the paper aisle.  It was not as full as it was pre pandemic, but there were several brands and sizes available.  I probably need to restock next Costco trip.

I've always stocked-up on things when they are on sale. I probably have enough of everything to last us and my kids, if needed, for a couple months.

We went to Costco this week and last and they had huge stocks of toilet paper, as well as paper towels. I'm not exaggerating when I say they had several hundred cases of toilet paper and paper towels, maybe more that couldn't be seen. People were buying it, but they seemed to get it restocked quickly.

My freezers are full. My big concern is a power outage.

[Deleted]

Thanks for the head's up.  Toilet paper is one of those things you will eventually need.  If there isn't really a shortage now, I don't have to feel guilty about stocking up.

I have also been stocking up on soup.  It also became in short supply last winter.  I haven't been extreme, but I pick up at least 4 cans a week.  I probably eat 2 of them every week, and it is still in the 80s here.  

[mollyanna58]

I was surprised to receive a register coupon for toilet paper the last time I was at the grocery store; also, name brand toilet paper had a sale price for the first time in months.

[jerseygirl]

Local grocery store has plenty of tp, including cheap no name brand packages that showed up first after supplies disappeared

[wvugurl26]

I like to have an extra either in my pantry upstairs or on the downstairs shelves for non perishables. We do have a spare fridge downstairs and a chest freezer.

Beef has run low but my family has two cows headed to processing next week. We are splitting one with my dad. He's looking to find a hog as well. Typically the hog comes from a 4-H sale and those didn't happen in our area this year.

I finally ordered 6 boxes of a particular pasta from Target. I use it to make lasagna in the instant pot. I always got it at the grocery store by my house pre virus. Now even though the pasta section is mostly restocked that particular kind is not there. I've looked at all kinds of stores locally and can't find it.

I've also found it takes a lot more food to feed us when we are home all the time. So that has resulted in me stocking more stuff as well.

[debthaven]

I haven't seen any shortages here (yet?)

I raised my pantry "comfort level" during lockdown here. Since then, I've kept the pantry stocked at the same, bigger level.

So now I keep a bigger stock in our basement pantry: 36 rolls of TP, 3 packs of disinfectant wipes, 3 bottles of dishwashing liquid and 3 hand soap refills. I have an extra huge bottle of hand sanitizer. (I use it to refill the smaller ones we carry.)

Those were the items that were hard to find here during lockdown.

Also the packaging is smaller in Europe. 

[Blonde Granny]

I still need to make more soup for the garage freezer. I freeze the soups in individual containers. My neighbor turned me on to quinoa a couple days ago so going to buy some of that.

We have awful ice storms and power outages for weeks, so I will still attempt to keep my supplies as best I can.

[chiver78]

I'm starting to stock my pantry again, in the new house with space. I have a Walmart order to pick up a little later today, with some stock-up items like TP, canned tomatoes, etc. I don't think I'll go too nuts, it is just me here, but it will be nice to have space where I can have an extra pack of TP, or tissues, or pasta in case I don't want to go out for whatever reason. 

[TheOtherMe]

I always stock up for winter.  If we get a big snow storm and I don't want to drive, I do not have to.

I get a quarterly case of toilet paper from Amazon.  So far, it's been delivered on time.

[ohmomto2boys]

Yes, I'm trying to be proactive and stock up on baking supplies for the holidays.  I was just discussing this with a co-worker.  I took inventory of what I have, looked at my favorite cookie recipes, and made a list of items I want to get my hands on.

Read that soup is still in short supply.  DS#1 loves a specific Campbells, so I have been purchasing extra every week.

TP - we have a specific brand we like too, and next time I am at Target, Walmart or Sams Club, I will purchase the largest package - there are still limits of only 1 per person.

[Opti]

At best I generally don't do stocking up except small amounts because I live in an apartment not a house. I'm already drowning in clutter because it has no where to go. Have no desire to build up walls of TP, but maybe I should consider it. Winter is a harder darker time to shop as it is.

[buystoys]

I've been keeping my stocked up levels on everything except meat.  I did break down and buy a lot of pork and ground beef about three weeks ago because the sale price was really good.

I'm getting ready for a dental appointment.

[Deleted]

I intentionally bought a smaller house - and then COVID and DS moved in. Oops.

At first, I thought I would never fill cabinets or closet space. Then I bought the stuff I needed for the house, camping gear, art supplies, etc... Argh...

I guess I should either buy a shed to store my hobbies and "garage" type stuff, or make friends with my dungeon of a basement.

I did decide early on that I will stock up but won't start storing food outside of the kitchen. If it doesn't fit in the kitchen, we certainly don't need it.

It's ironic because right before this happened I remember asking people how they shopped every day and didn't stock up. I was starting to enjoy being close to a grocery store and not stocking up on anything...

The city broke a water line this morning and I don't have any water. I guess that means today will be my stocking up day on fresh foods so I can buy some water while I am there. Then DS and I need to try hard to avoid leaving home.

[stillmovingforward]

I've been keeping my cupboards current and not letting them fall low. I purposely bought extra flour, dried beans and corn this summer to keep as extra for this winter. We used to do the same when we were 'poor', in case one of us lost a job. And yes, I use all 3 of those items a lot.
DD1 works at a hospital and in their clinics. She told me last week to really stock up, in case one of us gets sick, we have to quarenteen, and/or so no one goes from store to store looking for items that we use a lot. To just get them now. Apparently their medical staff are very concerned about the upcoming months......
I will be doing heavy shopping this next week. So we won't need to go out for a while. We'll use it all anyway. She typically is not an alarmist so I respect her request in this.

[Opti]

Oct 22, 2020 11:47:22 GMT -5 @shastasnewlife said:

I intentionally bought a smaller house - and then COVID and DS moved in. Oops.

At first, I thought I would never fill cabinets or closet space. Then I bought the stuff I needed for the house, camping gear, art supplies, etc... Argh...

I guess I should either buy a shed to store my hobbies and "garage" type stuff, or make friends with my dungeon of a basement.

I did decide early on that I will stock up but won't start storing food outside of the kitchen. If it doesn't fit in the kitchen, we certainly don't need it.

It's ironic because right before this happened I remember asking people how they shopped every day and didn't stock up. I was starting to enjoy being close to a grocery store and not stocking up on anything...

The city broke a water line this morning and I don't have any water. I guess that means today will be my stocking up day on fresh foods so I can buy some water while I am there. Then DS and I need to try hard to avoid leaving home.

I can shop almost every day because of the location of my primary grocery store in relation to work. There are several places to buy from on my way home if I just vary my path a little bit. My workplace is less than 6 miles away. I was without power for over 24 hours this year during the heat of summer, so I had to toss pretty much everything in the freezer and still have some old stuff in bottles in the fridge I should toss as well. It was a significant hit and included way too many things I had just bought and started to use. Hellman's Mayo one spoonful bought on sale with coupon. Often buy the cheaper less good store brand. Bratwurst. Made less than half of the pkg, but I suppose it would have made little difference either way. No oven for more than a week because of the power outage and had to get my  pilot light on the burners relit with managements help. (Two days) Power came back in a week? 

I'm back up to water shut offs about 4 times a years because of my current neighbor mix. Plus I think they need to do some serious pipework like they have done on a couple other buildings. Got my water shutoff several times for that too.   

[Deleted]

Oct 22, 2020 12:52:02 GMT -5 stillmovingforward said:

I've been keeping my cupboards current and not letting them fall low. I purposely bought extra flour, dried beans and corn this summer to keep as extra for this winter. We used to do the same when we were 'poor', in case one of us lost a job. And yes, I use all 3 of those items a lot.
DD1 works at a hospital and in their clinics. She told me last week to really stock up, in case one of us gets sick, we have to quarenteen, and/or so no one goes from store to store looking for items that we use a lot. To just get them now. Apparently their medical staff are very concerned about the upcoming months......
I will be doing heavy shopping this next week. So we won't need to go out for a while. We'll use it all anyway. She typically is not an alarmist so I respect her request in this.

I think my current compulsion to stock up partly has to do with the fact that there were so many times I had to make tough choices when shopping. Do I buy laundry soap or meat this week? 

Having adequate supplies of foods and other things we might need is a huge blessing in my life that I don't take for granted. I don't want to waste money, but at the same time I also know what it's like when you can't get the things you need, let alone the things you want.

If I'm going to be stuck at home all winter, I at least want to be able to cook and not have to shop when outbreaks happen.

The doctor on CNN the other day said we may have 150,000 new cases a day a month from now and that we could easily see 400K dead by January. When the doctors start using the terms "dire" and talking about a winter that rivals 1918, I take that really seriously.

[Deleted]

Oct 22, 2020 13:06:48 GMT -5 Opti said:

Oct 22, 2020 11:47:22 GMT -5 @shastasnewlife said:

I can shop almost every day because of the location of my primary grocery store in relation to work. There are several places to buy from on my way home if I just vary my path a little bit. My workplace is less than 6 miles away. I was without power for over 24 hours this year during the heat of summer, so I had to toss pretty much everything in the freezer and still have some old stuff in bottles in the fridge I should toss as well. It was a significant hit and included way too many things I had just bought and started to use. Hellman's Mayo one spoonful bought on sale with coupon. Often buy the cheaper less good store brand. Bratwurst. Made less than half of the pkg, but I suppose it would have made little difference either way. No oven for more than a week because of the power outage and had to get my  pilot light on the burners relit with managements help. (Two days) Power came back in a week? 

I'm back up to water shut offs about 4 times a years because of my current neighbor mix. Plus I think they need to do some serious pipework like they have done on a couple other buildings. Got my water shutoff several times for that too.   

I have a store a few blocks from my house. But, I really don't enjoy shopping and would rather get it all over at one time.

They are replacing our town's entire water system. Apparently they hit another line today that they didn't know existed. I can imagine the 1930s plans might not be the most accurate.

I was pretty impressed that within 2 hours they had it fixed and our service restored. The city said everyone was calling because it was in the 20s here last night and we were all trying to decide if we broke/froze a pipe or it was the city.

I haven't had a power outage here. During about 8 months a year, I could store the cold stuff on the back porch.  lol 

[Deleted]

Went to the local discount grocery store today.

Pleased to see a lot more people wearing masks. There was only 1 out of about 20 who didn't think the big signs applied to him...

Still no hamburger to be found. 

They are out of Epsom salt again. Not sure why.

They were well stocked again with paper products. 

I asked if they had been busy because there was a long line. The worker said people seem to be stocking up a bit more in the last couple of days. 

I noticed the guy behind me had multiple cases of beer. Priorities...

[daisylu]

Around here, we have never gotten out of the shortages. 

We live 20 miles from a grocery store, so we usually keep a good stock of high use items.

I did have to order 8" paper plates (could only find 10.5" ones locally) and Reynolds Wrap from Prime Pantry. They sent expected ETA of November 10. 

[TheOtherMe]

My paper products--toilet paper, kleenex, paper towels--are all stored in the garage.  One of the reasons my garage has a lot of stuff in it.

[teen persuasion]

My mom called last week, complaining about shortages in stuff we've had no issues finding (TP, baking supplies). A grocery store manager told her flour and cake mixes, etc, would be in short supply soon. So on my next shopping trip I decided to start stocking up on baking supplies. Sure enough, flour more than doubled in price at Aldi (it was name brand, now). Walnuts have been out of stock for a month. Vegetable oil suddenly missing.

I'd been trying to fill the freezer with meat, but it feels like as soon as I buy it we eat it (well, there's DS4 home from college, too, and DS5 is hitting voracious teen in sports stage, so ).