How does DR feel about stockpiling

**Palooka** · 09-07-2009, 02:34 AM

I know I know, I need the books. It's been on my brain.

I ask this question because the other day I was at my parents house and they handed me almost like a 30 page printed from their computor about stockpiling and the importance... fear factor, gov't control, end times conspiracy theory crap stuff. That's how they live their life now. I laughed at this. I refuse to live my life in fear of the unknown and bs.

I don't really stockpile but I do add things in bulk when it's a good price. That's it! Sure it might be a good deal, but I feel if I have extra money it will be better going to our debt or savings...Not sitting on the shelf to worrying about rotating every few months..before our family can use it before it goes bad....

Thoughts...(please no throwing eggs and I have my tin hat on)

**Greebo** · 09-07-2009, 05:36 AM

He hasn't discussed it much. He doesn't go in for the "stock pile as if the world was ending". But he doesn't have a problem with buying things in bulk if it saves you money. So long as buying it in bulk fits...wait for it...here it comes... within the budget!

**thefrug** · 09-07-2009, 08:33 AM

well, from your wording in OP, then why ask about stock piles. Do what you want and why worry about this mr ramsey? is he god or something? do what you want and move on.

**ladykemma2** · 09-07-2009, 08:39 AM

well, i don't stockpile. I have "food storage" - a different emphasis. basically a bedroom pantry with floor to ceiling shelves.

food storage is recommended by my church as a way of life, as an internal welfare system, for times of emergency. I lived on my food storage twice, once when husband was in intensive care for a month or two, and again, during the year of divorce when i was barely functioning and paying back the attorney debt. To me, it's as important and gives a feeling of security like the emergency fund.

store and use what you eat. I have 12 55 gallon water drums as well for hurricane season. I use and rotate through the food. The pears got wasted. the peaches got 'et.

i budget 600 a year for stocking up. i don't think dave says anything about food storage.

**jas** · 09-07-2009, 09:23 AM

If you don't see the wisdom in it on any level don't do it and don't worry what DR thinks about it. What if he changes his mind on it then what you change yours? It has to be something you do because you feel it is important for what ever your reason may be. My reason for doing it may or may not be the same as the next persons. Or a combination of a few reasons.

I could care less what some one thinks of my reasons, if I am some nut job or not. I may feel the same way about there not doing it.

It really is hard to believe that in ones life that not one thing will disrupt the current flow of things and make having a supply of things on hand a stupid idea.

**ladykemma2** · 09-07-2009, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by jas

If you don't see the wisdom in it on any level don't do it and don't worry what DR thinks about it. What if he changes his mind on it then what you change yours? It has to be something you do because you feel it is important for what ever your reason may be. My reason for doing it may or may not be the same as the next persons. Or a combination of a few reasons.

I could care less what some one thinks of my reasons, if I am some nut job or not. I may feel the same way about there not doing it.

It really is hard to believe that in ones life that not one thing will disrupt the current flow of things and make having a supply of things on hand a stupid idea.

i agree. during hurricane IKE the shelves in the stores were empty for weeks after.

**jas** · 09-07-2009, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by ladykemma2

i agree. during hurricane IKE the shelves in the stores were empty for weeks after.

I live in a hurricane prone area too (Florida east coast) things happen. That is just one of my reasons for sure. When an emergency like a hurricane happens you are right the shelves empty really quick and if you are not on the ball and get there too late you will find nothing. And if you find anything it has been picked over and damaged. Its prudent to plan ahead not during an emergency.

Even if your plan is to just have money on hand you could have pockets full of cash and there be nothing to buy. You can't eat the money.

**Jamauk** · 09-07-2009, 11:58 AM

I stockpile not only for emergencies, but because I know I'm paying the absolute lowest price for everything I purchase. I will never again pay more than .25 for toothpaste (although usually I get it free). I have enough stockpiled that I know I won't run out before I find the next great deal.

I don't spend "extra" money on my stockpile, I work it into my grocery budget. If chicken is on sale super cheap I buy as much of it as I can squeeze into my budget (even if it means dropping a few other things off my list) and freeze it. I freeze some raw chicken, some cooked chicken and make up some casseroles/meals. If the following week ground beef goes on sale I do the same thing. Over time your grocery bills actually start to drop dramatically as you can now shop your pantry/freezer when making your menu for the week and just use the grocery store to fill in the gaps.
DR has mentioned on his radio show (although I don't think he talks about it in the book) that his wife became queen of the coupon game when they were broke. So I don't know if she stockpiled, but I do know she tried to get their grocery budget as low as possible.

**Greebo** · 09-07-2009, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by Jamauk

DR has mentioned on his radio show (although I don't think he talks about it in the book) that his wife became queen of the coupon game when they were broke. So I don't know if she stockpiled, but I do know she tried to get their grocery budget as low as possible.

Heh - speaking of frugal rich wives...

There's a very amusing little blurb in "The Millionaire Next Door" about the wife of a business owner who's husband gave her $8 MILLION dollars in stocks. She said, "Thank you, I really appreciate it", and went back to cutting her coupons.

**Jamauk** · 09-07-2009, 12:55 PM

I forgot about that! Its been several years since I've read that book.

**frugalfriend** · 09-07-2009, 05:27 PM

Awhile back I emailed this very question to the Dave Ramsey show and he read it on the air. He did not place a high importance on it at all. Just like Greebo said, he's not against it, and said if it saves you money to buy in bulk, then fine. But, he just doesn't find a whole lot of need for it. Well, I chose to disagree! LOL That's a first with Dave! I love to stock up at rock bottom prices (when I can find them) and it saves a lot of money in the long run. I just don't think he's that in tune with the concept of couponing and stockpiling. He mostly just doesn't want people to have a "the sky is falling" attitude, which I do agree with.

BTW, Dave is great about answering email questions! He always reads mine on the air when I send one in.

**Greebo** · 09-07-2009, 07:13 PM

Dave *is* the free spirit in the house. His wife is the saver. I'd LOVE it if he got his wife on the air once and a while - it'd be great to hear her perspective. Heck, I suspect they have something of a "stockpile" and he doesn't even know it.

**Contrary Housewife** · 09-07-2009, 10:04 PM

I sometimes think of my stockpile as a "food bank". I've put a little bit away now, in case we need it later. Sort of an "emergency fund" made of food instead of cash. I do shop sales and markdowns to keep it stocked, and we do eat out of it to keep the food rotating through (first in first out). I like having my bases covered, it's nice to have a cash fund, but it's good to have food on hand, too.

**Palooka** · 09-07-2009, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by thefrug

well, from your wording in OP, then why ask about stock piles. Do what you want and why worry about this mr ramsey? is he god or something? do what you want and move on.

He might be God and I am thinking about joining the cult.

I put this in the DR thread because I am curious if he has any teachings on this or how he feels about it.

Originally Posted by Jamauk

I stockpile not only for emergencies, but because I know I'm paying the absolute lowest price for everything I purchase. I will never again pay more than .25 for toothpaste (although usually I get it free). I have enough stockpiled that I know I won't run out before I find the next great deal.

I don't spend "extra" money on my stockpile, I work it into my grocery budget. If chicken is on sale super cheap I buy as much of it as I can squeeze into my budget (even if it means dropping a few other things off my list) and freeze it. I freeze some raw chicken, some cooked chicken and make up some casseroles/meals. If the following week ground beef goes on sale I do the same thing. Over time your grocery bills actually start to drop dramatically as you can now shop your pantry/freezer when making your menu for the week and just use the grocery store to fill in the gaps.
DR has mentioned on his radio show (although I don't think he talks about it in the book) that his wife became queen of the coupon game when they were broke. So I don't know if she stockpiled, but I do know she tried to get their grocery budget as low as possible.

This makes sense and I do some of these things.

Originally Posted by frugalfriend

Awhile back I emailed this very question to the Dave Ramsey show and he read it on the air. He did not place a high importance on it at all. Just like Greebo said, he's not against it, and said if it saves you money to buy in bulk, then fine. But, he just doesn't find a whole lot of need for it. Well, I chose to disagree! LOL That's a first with Dave! I love to stock up at rock bottom prices (when I can find them) and it saves a lot of money in the long run. I just don't think he's that in tune with the concept of couponing and stockpiling. He mostly just doesn't want people to have a "the sky is falling" attitude, which I do agree with.

BTW, Dave is great about answering email questions! He always reads mine on the air when I send one in.

Thank you. That is really cool that he answers your email questions and reads them on the air. I might do that sometime.

Originally Posted by Greebo

Dave *is* the free spirit in the house. His wife is the saver. I'd LOVE it if he got his wife on the air once and a while - it'd be great to hear her perspective. Heck, I suspect they have something of a "stockpile" and he doesn't even know it.

Lol, thats funny.

Originally Posted by Contrary Housewife

I sometimes think of my stockpile as a "food bank". I've put a little bit away now, in case we need it later. Sort of an "emergency fund" made of food instead of cash. I do shop sales and markdowns to keep it stocked, and we do eat out of it to keep the food rotating through (first in first out). I like having my bases covered, it's nice to have a cash fund, but it's good to have food on hand, too.

Makes sense.

**frugalfriend** · 09-08-2009, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by Greebo

Dave *is* the free spirit in the house. His wife is the saver. I'd LOVE it if he got his wife on the air once and a while - it'd be great to hear her perspective. Heck, I suspect they have something of a "stockpile" and he doesn't even know it.

Yeah, me too!! I'd love to hear from Sharon!

She probably has some really crazy and funny stories to tell! Also, I think for a lot of guys (not saying all of course) they leave the grocery saving thing to their wives and are not that interested in the details of it.