Guest Post: The Benefits of Stockpiling

The following is a guest post from Courtney at 1-2-3 Save (a fellow metro Detroit blogger). An avid couponer, she recently welcomed her third child with less stress and expense than ever before!

Courtney's Stock Room

 

For well over a year now, I have been building and maintaining what I now refer to as my “stock room” through couponing. The benefits that come from stockpiling are inescapable. Not only have I saved my family thousands of dollars on groceries and the bare necessities, I have most everything that I could ever need at a moment’s notice. (Not to mention the fact that I can also make up a killer gift basket for birthdays and other holidays that top any gift I could purchase alone!)

The most significant addition that stockpiling has made to my family has to do with another addition. On June 18^th, I gave birth to my third child. With my first two, I can remember how stressful it was to constantly be running out of the house to pick up subsequent diapers, wipes, and every other expensive item that my babies would need. Money was disappearing from my wallet faster than any pay check could reimburse it and things were getting tight. BABIES AREN’T CHEAP!

While I was pregnant, I began stocking up on the items I knew I would need (i.e. diapers, wipes, bottles, baby shampoo, etc) and for the first 4 weeks after I brought the baby home, I did not go shopping once. I was allowed time to enjoy him instead of worrying about a lack of diapers in the diaper bag or lack of money in my purse. I was in no jeopardy of having to rush to the store with three kids, spending a ridiculous amount of money because it wasn’t on sale or worse… I didn’t have a coupon!

With three kids, there are times when I like to get out of the house but babysitters are expensive!! Fortunately, I have found a babysitter who also happens to be a college student. She gladly accepts razors, toothpaste, shampoo, and toilet paper in return for a night out. You have no idea how vital these items are to college students. In the end, I get a night out virtually for free and she leaves with a full supply of the necessities that could normally cost her well over the amount I would be able to pay in cash.

When you stockpile, you have the ability to take the well deserved breaks from shopping and comparing prices for the best deal. Whether it is a new baby, an illness in the family, or money is simply tight, your stockpile will allow for a moment of reassurance in hectic times.

You can view more pictures of Courtney’s beautiful stock room at 1-2-3 Save.

If you’re a stockpiler, has there been a time when having supplies on hand has benefitted your family?