As many of you know, Moms Need to Know was recently featured on Channel 6 News in a Savings With 6BC segment. Part of the filming done at my house was of my pantry. While some of my family and close friends (and all the friends of my children, who know where to find the juice boxes) have seen my pantry, I have to admit that I was nervous at the thought of my stockpile being on film.
Why? Because of the comments that followed both on the site, in emails that I received and from friends who just saw me on TV and had to say something about my pantry. For some reason, people seem fixated on the amount of toothpaste I have. To those of you with a fixation on my dental hygiene products, try this one on for size: I have "purchased" (for free) and donated 10 times that amount of toothpaste in the past year (so THERE!)
To people just starting out with using coupons or people who don't understand the savings potential, it CAN seem as if we have an "addiction" to getting great deals. What other reason can there be for buying 24 boxes of Electrasol? We are just shopaholics that can't resist a great deal on product that is probably going to go to waste!
Simply put: many people think that our stockpiles are nothing more than couponers hoarding the good deals.
In many cases, this is very true. Some people have a true shopping addiction. Many "newbies" to couponing get so caught up in the great deals that they forget that another great deal will be coming along soon and feel as if they need to get it all NOW (note: this is a completely normal phase when you are learning to use coupons).
But for those of us who have been doing it for a while, we understand that there are some items for which good deals don't come along that often. Yes - I bought at least 24 boxes of Electrasol one week. But I got it for $.29 per box and it is an item that won't go bad before I use it all up and it could be a year before I can get it that cheap again.
Let's look at a less extreme example: Several months ago Acme had a fabulous deal on Pampers. I forget the exact details, but it was such a good deal that I was willing to dip in to the budget for the following week in order to buy 12 packages of diapers. I remember the cashier asking me "What in the world are you going to do with all those diapers???". My response was simply "Use them!". She couldn't wrap her head around the idea that somebody would buy that many diapers at once and the truth is, had my daughter decided it was time to start using the toilet, I would have been stuck with a bunch of diapers (although I could have always donated them). Meanwhile, months later, that diaper stockpile is long gone and I regret not buying more diapers that week - there have been several weeks since then when I was stuck paying "simply" full-price-less-a-coupon for diapers! I was stockpiling diapers, not hoarding them.
So what is the difference between stockpiling and hoarding?
Stockpiling is seeing a great deal, evaluating what your needs are, the expiration dates of the product, the frequencyof similar great deals and buying the appropriate amount to hold you through to the next great sale or enough to allow you to skip a few sales.
Hoarding is clearing a shelf just because you have enough coupons to do a deal. It is buying things that you don't need just because you "can". It is buying products that will eventually go to waste, just because of the temporary thrill that you get when walking out with so much for so little.
Stockpiling is the smart way to shop. Hoarding is...not.
Take a look at your shopping habits. Are you stockpiling, or are you hoarding? If you are hoarding, it's time to step back and evaluate.
(oh - and one last thing? The reason I have so much toothpaste is because we need 3 different types in our family. I can only use Sensitive, my husband can't stand Sensitive, and my children aren't quite yet ready to upgrade to "adult" flavors..... and we are all diligent about brushing at least 2-3 times per day. Not that it is really anyone's business.)
Kristine
Great article, Mindi! I know I was drooling over photos of your pantry! I can't wait to have a big pantry like that someday! My grandparents had a big walk in pantry like yours when I was younger and I loved going "shopping" out there.
Kelly W
Ok so I made a tiny little comment about your pantry but it was in admiration. I agree with the comment that you have to know when and how much to buy but I can't understand people's mean comments about hoarding.
Now if food was hard to find (in the US) and the average "Joe" was starving on the street, I could understand people being angry with hoarders.
There are reasons to have a large pantry other than just saving money. In a case of an emergency we will be well stocked to care for our family and even neighbors. It is just wise to plan, prepare and save for most things in life and I can't understand people who don't see that.
I suppose there are those out there that just buy buy buy because of a good deal but I think most of us don't buy what we can't use. That just goes against our whole nature of saving and not wasting when it comes to our families.
Jennifer Y.
Hey Mindi,
I hope you didn't take my comments to be mean, I was truly just in awe (and jealous of course) of your pantry:) Honestly, I think those naysayers are just jealous of your skillz.
Great article! I never saw the value in stockpiling before, but it has afforded me many luxeries over the past year or so since I started couponing. I'm able to donate much more to food pantries in the past--at little to no cost to me. I was able to give DS's teachers big gift bags of name brand, nice quality HBA products as gifts--also at low to no cost. And, I'm rarely stuck running out to buy things at full price!! Except, I'm with you on the diapers, they're gone so fast!!
Keep up the great work!
Jen
Trina
I love your post! I actually have about that many Electrasols. The last time there was a sale and they had great coupons, I only purchased 15 and regretted it because it did not get me to the next great coupon (we use our dishwasher at least once often twice a day). Now I don't feel guilty at all buying so much at once when the deal is right!
I still want your pantry! So organized!
fairydust
I love what you've done and am so inspired by your blog and your stockpile! I'm one of the just-starting couponers and I do occasionally have to take a deep breath and remind myself that DH and I don't eat cereal, so I really don't need boxes of it just because they're on sale and I have coupons that will double 🙂 So I understand the lure of the thrill, but have managed to control myself - LOL! Of course my husband looks at all the dish soap, shampoo and trash bags (we will use everything!), and just shakes his head and laughs. But hey, it's a fun way to save money - hard to beat that!
a
I just want to say I love what you do & I am starting out, learning with baby steps for the past 6 months. Keep up the great work. I love your blog. I just wish you were closer to me (upstate NY - binghamton area) so I could know which deals are perfect around ME!!! Maybe I should start a blog dedicated to finding the deals around here.... hmmmm. now THATS an idea! Thanks again -- Amanda
Danielle Spence
informative and inspiring yet again. thanks mindy for reminding me why i am doing this.
Julie
Another great article. I love when you post how-to articles or explanations.
Kristin
I've always stockpiled (though didn't call it that) because I grew up with a cellar full of home canned goods, and I hate running out of anything. Those last minute trips to the store because we ran out of X, are a waste of time (and usually money because we buy 10 other things.) Now I'm stockpiling in a better way - not paying full price!
Manisha
My friends and family who have never been to my home think I must have rooms and rooms full of toliet paper, paper towels, and toothpaste. In reality, I have enough to get me to the next good sale - maybe extra. Actually, considering the fact that I am pretty frugal, sometimes I think I under-exploit good deals like the elecrosole deal you are talking about. With only 2 of us in a fairly small place though, I don't need to have a million things.
I did just buy 6 cans of (Free) shaving cream, but I ended up giving one to each sister (2), keeping 2, and sending the other 2 to the food bank. Our food bank will turn around and sell that for a quarter and someone will be able to use it. I can't donate much money, but it makes me feel good that I can help someone out in a way they truly need.
Jean
I have been couponing for about a year and totally agree with all the other posts about stockpiling. I "did" the Acme deal earlier this year and bought 12 packs of diapers. That lasted about 3 months. I'm still wondering why I didn't buy more?? LOL Anyway, I am local (West Chester), so keep up the great posts. I'm addicted to CVS bucks. My husband used to run out for "his" stuff and pay full price. Now he just goes to the basement and grabs his deoderant, shaving gel and razors! He's onboard. Plus I've trained my 17 year old son (yes, my son) to shop like this! He's always willing to tag along with Mom and do another deal with me.
Jean
Anogher note, we are on a very tight budget so giving the extra food to my parents and babysitter (mom of 5) helps them out too!
Tirade
This is exactly why stockpilers should be extremely cautious telling anyone outside of immediate family about their stockpile. If there's an emergency or economic conditions get very bad, you do not want to be known as the "person who has a large stockpile of food and necessities". Not only does this invite moochers, but it might invite desperate burglars and criminals as well. If people are going to throw around accusations of "hoarding" in times where they can easily take advantage of the same deals, imagine how serious that label will become if supplies ever became scarce.
Note: I'm not criticizing Mindi for broadcasting her pantry on TV nor am I suggesting that you shouldn't help out friends and family in need.
Devon
Great post! I hate hoarders!
Susan
You Rock! I try to live by a little rule my Mama taught me: if you can't say something nice, then don't say it! I think that some people think we savers are a little "teched" in the head. I get this a LOT when I see people rolling their eyes when they're behind me in the check out lane...so I use many coupons and it takes a while!
I feel really good when they look shocked when the cashier circles my savings (which here in Phoenix they all do) and shows an amazed shock that I've saved so much! I guess most people don't save the 70-95 percent that I usually do!
I'm proud of my shopping skills and I use or give away everything I buy. Who cares what the others think. I'm a glass half full kinda girl and that's how I roll! Just float bad comments down the river where they belong. You help plenty of us save! I appreciate it!!!
Jeri
Great article! I totally agree with your definition of stockpiling and hording.
My personal dielmma is when an item is a money maker. Although I don't clear shelves, if I still have coupons and the store still has stock, I can't pass it up even if I don't need it. I have more Ectorin and Kraft BBQ sauce than I can seem to giveaway.
GINA
You know it has to be jealousy, has to be. People are just mad because they want to save tons of money on all the stuff that you do but are either lazy or not motivated enough to sit down for a bit and do it. Honestly your helping me do it better than I was on my own, and for that I am extremely grateful and in no way do I believe you deserve any hassle. I mean for goodness sakes you were on TV because you are a one to model to save boatloads of money. All I could say is Thank you and I think your great and your blog is great - so glad you live in my area.
Besides how could it be hoarding if you are going to use it, I mean seriously people, does it matter when you buy it or how much of it you buy if your going to use it eventually how ridiculous. and to the poster above mine Jeri, you keep your BBQ sauce that stuff lasts! LOL you'll use it.
Bree Salas
LMFAO @ Dental hygine!! Nothing wrong with some healthy teeth!!! People need to get a life!!!