Stockpiling

Want to start a stockpile? Much like having an emergency savings account, having access to a stockpile can really help you out in a pinch. People new to stockpiling may see it as overwhelming and/or even misconstrue it as hoarding. To be clear, hoarding and stockpiling are very different. Keep reading to learn why.

A household goods stockpile is a group of items (in set quantities) that you and/or your family use regularly, and it serves the purpose of giving you immediate access to products that may have just run-out and that you need right away (think: toilet paper, for one!).
Why start a stockpile?
It will save you money for one thing. Besides having the convenience of immediate access to items that suddenly run out in the home, a key concept of stockpiling is bringing it into existence very cheaply.
So, you buy multiple quantities of super-cheap products when great deals present themselves. When an item that you or your family uses regularly suddenly goes on sale, stock up on it! If you also have a coupon that would take the price even lower, you have all the more reason to buy several of that item. Example: your favourite cereal is usually $4.19 and it goes on sale for $1.99. With that sale alone, you’ll get the item for more than 50% off! So get several boxes! Think of how many boxes you and/or your family eat per month. At that savings, it may be well worth purchasing a 2- or 3-month supply if quantities for purchase are not limited. And be sure it’s not an item that will expire before you can use all of it.
Every now and then you’ll come across an outstanding deal: like 50% off an item or more. Sometimes you’ll even find sales that allow you to get items FREE! When this happens, you should stock up while the opportunity presents itself. Particularly if it’s a non-food product that won’t expire, go ahead and get a year’s worth!

Stockpiling v. Hoarding
Again, stockpiling is simply buying and storing items for future use. Actual future use; not the thought that you’ll use it, even though the reality is you won’t. Stockpiling is a calculated approach to taking advantage of great deals and therefore saving money on items that you know you’ll eventually need to purchase again in the future after they run out. It may seem extreme, but it’s okay to buy 10 bottles of hand soap if you know your family will definitely use it all before it expires. Bottom line: it’s okay to stock up on frequently used items to save money.

In contrast, it’s not okay to buy things you do not and will not ever need (unless you plan to give them to someone else). It’s also not okay to clear the store shelves so others can’t take advantage of the deal too. Hoarding is a chronic habit of collecting all kinds of items and refusing to relinquish them. Hoarding is bringing into and keeping things in the home that will not realistically serve any functional purpose now or in the future.

Stockpiles can vary in size/quantity. Only take it as far as you feel comfortable and can manage. If you find that you have an item nearing its expiration and you know you won’t use it in time, donate it. Be generous: give friends and family a couple of things for free now and then. Try this: if you can get items that you know you won’t use for free or ridiculously cheap, give those to people. A good deal is a good deal. And it can make a great gift if you think beyond yourself when you find it.
If you decide to start stockpiling, just remember to stop, think through the purchase, and do a little math so you don’t go crazy purchasing too many of the item.

Good post!

As someone who has a hoarder in the family and knows the pain that hoarding brings to everyone affected, I think it's important to dig a bit deeper into what hoarding is (versus stockpiling). Remember, hoarding starts small: saving one or two types of items and never being able to pass up a bargain can, for some people, be the start of something more major. If you (or someone you care about) feel COMPELLED to add to your stockpiles, or feel that it's getting out of control, or just can't stop stockpiling even when you've got enough stuff, talk to someone about it early. Stockpiling is great, but it can lead to hoarding for some.

For those who are interested, here is some more information on identifying hoarding from the mayo clinic (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hoa...ION=symptoms):

In the homes of people who are compulsive hoarders, the counter tops, sinks, stoves, desks, stairways and virtually all other surfaces are usually stacked with stuff. And when there's no more room inside, the clutter may spread to the garage, vehicles and yard.
Hoarding affects emotions, thoughts and behavior. Signs and symptoms of hoarding may include:

• Cluttered living spaces
• Inability to discard items
• Keeping stacks of newspapers, magazines or junk mail
• Moving items from one pile to another, without discarding anything
• Acquiring unneeded or seemingly useless items, including trash or napkins from a restaurant
• Difficulty managing daily activities, including procrastination and trouble making decisions
• Difficulty organizing items
• Shame or embarrassment
• Excessive attachment to possessions, including discomfort letting others touch or borrow possessions
• Limited or no social interactions

People who hoard typically save items because they believe these items will be needed or have value in the future. A person also may hoard items that he or she feels have important emotional significance — serving as a reminder of happier times, for example, or representing beloved people or pets. People who hoard may report feeling safer when surrounded by the things they save.
It's important to note that hoarding is different from collecting. People who have collections, such as stamps or model cars, deliberately search out specific items for their collections. Collectors often categorize their items and carefully display them. Hoarders, on the other hand, will save random items they encounter in their daily life and store them haphazardly in their homes or surrounding areas.