DEAR SARA: What is the purpose of stockpiling? I just got to wondering why people stockpile. And yes, I know this sounds like a silly question, but I am just very curious. Is it in case of an emergency? Is it so you don’t have to drive to the store every week? Or is it just to stock up on things that are on sale to save money? — cokencaptgirl, …

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DEAR SARA: Can I freeze deli-style sliced ham? The ham that we like to take in our lunch is on sale half price this week, so I want to stock up. Can I freeze it if I put it in freezer bags? Will it taste OK thawed? — champagnium, Nova Scotia
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DEAR SARA: Do you have any ideas on how to make space-saving items from everyday things that most of us have on hand? My oldest children have jobs now and are buying more for themselves, which equals more clutter and nowhere to put it. I don’t have a lot of money to go out and buy plastic totes and shelving. — M.H., Texas
If …

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DEAR SARA: I have a question about dry beans. Do they ever expire? My parents have sealed buckets of them that they stocked up on during the Y2K scare. Are they still safe to cook? They’re trying to pass some to me. They say they are still good because of how they stored them. I am not sure. — Palooka, via forums
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