Stockpiling

People who don't coupon have likened it to hoarding. There are very obvious differences between hoarding and stockpiling. First of all, hoarding is a disorder characterized by a need to hold onto everything in your life. Hoarders cover their homes and floors with trash, knick knacks, and old food, not just lots of things they use. Hoarders often have control issues over things in their past, and that is why they feel the need to hold onto things.

Stockpiling is very different. First of all, stockpiles are usually very organized. I have a few different areas in the apartment that I stockpile items. First, I have my trial size/travel drawer. The largest drawer in the bathroom is my stockpile drawer. In that drawer I put all the travel size items I get (usually for free or a few cents). This way, they are all in the same place when I need to pack for a trip. So right now, in the drawer are travel size body washes, deodorants, single load laundry detergent packages, and travel size contact solution. Travel size items also make great stocking stuffers, easter basket fillers, etc. What is great is that I filled that drawer for a total of under $5! This is one way to get cheap body wash and toothpaste, and deodorant. Who cares that it's travel size! It's free!

Another place in my bathroom I have a stockpile is at the bottom of our towel closet. This is where I stockpile full size items for use in the bathroom. Here I keep body wash, shampoo and conditioner, and air fresheners, etc. It's so nice to know that I have a full supply (a few months' supply) of body wash and deodorant and I won't have to spend the full price amount on it because I bought it a few months ago for about 10% of the full price. :) Sometimes you even get it for free! (I got ten deodorants for free last month at Safeway, and three bodywashes for free at Target!) Even if you end up not using it, you can always donate it to a shelter or give it away in stockings or Easter baskets. :)

The last place I have a stockpile is in a bag in our second bedroom. I'm afraid this one is not very organized, but that's ok because I don't get into it very often. This is where I stockpile all the baby stuff I get for free. I call it my baby shower stock. I buy diapers when they are near free (because then I can make diaper cakes, or I have diapers if a friend needs them) and I get free trial size Johnson and Johnson products all the time. I have about ten free Bath Buddies sitting in there because I was able to use full size coupons on .97 cent products, so I got them all for free! It's just wonderful to discover what you can get for very cheap when you are using coupons!

Like I said above, if you don't end up using something, you can always donate it. There are some couponers who do have brand preferences. I don't, because I was raised to use products I could get a good deal on. If you have a certain preference for deodorant or body wash and you just can't give that up, don't pass up those free items, because a shelter or food bank can certainly use those donations too! I'll post pictures of my stockpiles. :)