Stockpiling vs. being frugal

**rumrunnergirl** · 11-29-2004, 09:58 PM

I am relatively new to stockpiling, I've only been doing it a few months. We don't have double or triple coupons here, so I have to work really hard to get stuff cheap or free. I'm still staying with (or near) my $250/month grocery budget - BUT - sometimes I find my frugal side fighting my stockpiling side. I am buying things I wouldn't normally buy, but I am expanding the variety of our diet.

However, since I wouldn't normally buy these things I am now buying since they are B1G2F and I have coupons for all 3 which brings the price down to 30 cents per item (for example) - I sometimes feel I'm not being as frugal as I *could* be, by simply doing without. And stockpiling does add up, even when stuff is purchased cheaply. 30 cents per item times 20 items, plus tax if required, etc.
Plus, the time involved to dive for coupons, clip out what I may need, organize them, peruse store flyers online, go to the different stores - sometimes I wonder if it's really worth it just to get that alleged "great deal".

My DH & kids say "YES!" since they are getting to eat cookies and foods I wouldn't normally buy, and I don't feel too bad since I'm getting the stuff super cheap, it does save time to buy convenience foods (plus when I can get them so cheap it can often be the same price/lower than making the item from scratch), we aren't eating the same thing over and over, and I like having a pile of food and household items to pick thru, especially in light of the hurricanes we just went thru - it was nice to know we had a room full of food.

Does anyone else suffer from this type of internal "fighting" with themselves? LOL, I hope I am making sense.

**BlessedMommy** · 11-29-2004, 10:07 PM

Melanie, I think I know what you mean, and I think for me the key is to stockpile the stuff I would normally buy/serve my family. For example, my family doesn't eat Hamburger Helper or Canned Stew. So, even if I could get those items for REALLY cheap and get a huge stockpile going, I don't purchase them (unless I'm intending to donate them to the food pantry -- they LOVE those items.) However, we do use a lot of canned tomatoes, salsa, and canned fruit, so when I can get those items cheap, I really fill my pantry. For me, part of being frugal is having a pantry full of stuff I would normally buy, but never purchased at full price. I don't stock my pantry just because I'm running low on something. Unless it is a vital neccessity, we do without until I can get a good deal again. The key for me is to anticipate what we will need and buy enough to get us through until the next deal.
I hope that makes sense!

**kimmee** · 11-29-2004, 10:10 PM

I don't think I understand your dilemma?? Are you stockpiling for the right reason?? In other words are you buying stuff you normally use at a fantastic price so you can save in the long run eating at home from your pantry - or are you just buying stuff you wouldn't regularly use and serves no value in your home simply because you can get it cheaply and you have a coupon?? If underwear is a buck a pair on an incredible savings (normally $9 a pair) but they don't have a color you like and you already have plenty then you are not being frugal by buying these panties you are being swayed by a good deal. If You use canned fruit all the time and they have a coupon for the store brand which makes it 80% off and you stock up on it cuz you will use it and it tastes the same to you - you are being frugal and Saavy!! Does that make sense to you?? If not ask CJ - she's the Goddess of this stuff!!

**rumrunnergirl** · 11-29-2004, 10:25 PM

I am trying to stockpile for the right reason, but my frugal side still fights paying for something that isn't absolutely necessary.

Usually I don't buy a big variety of stuff, so pretty much anything that has a coupon is something I normally wouldn't buy, LOL. The stuff I am buying we are eating. For example, Lipton pasta or rice side dishes I can get for, say, 30 cents a package. Before I started buying it on sale w/coupons, we would have just had mashed potatoes or plain rice for a side dish.
So my stockpiling side says "wow, that's a cheap side dish, and it's tasty, and adds something extra to your meals so let's stock up", while my frugal side says "gee, you could have saved the 30 cents and just served plain rice or potatoes for 10 cents." Even for things like meat. Normally I just buy burger, but by using winetags and B1G1F sales, I am able to spend a couple bucks more and now we can have steak once a month. But just sticking to the burger is more frugal. Or buying Capri Sun on sale w/a coupon, I can get it for almost nothing. But - water is cheaper, I can save by *not* getting the Capri Sun for picnic lunches. Is that making sense?

I guess our diet was just really boring before, LOL. Some good deals I do pass up, like when I hear about gum on sale somewhere, and I have a bunch of B1G1F coupons so the gum will be free, since I really don't use gum and I don't like my kids to have it. Or I will go get it and put it in my care packages for soldiers, LOL.

**kimmee** · 11-29-2004, 10:42 PM

Then yeah - If you are expanding your cupboard and using the items then you are definataly improving your lifestyle while being very frugal!! and yes I stress over the same issues (kindof a little buyers remorse of sorts ) but you are improving your quality of menu choices while not going bankrupt - you are trying new things to please your family - which fits in with frugality - living alife you enjoy - CJ puts it so much better - re: not being miserly but being smart and disciplined while still having what feels somewhat luxurious or special - Frugality is not about deprivation but about living the best you can on a minmalistic budget - not going overboard but having enough to enjoy yourself - your life. I do understand now what your dilemma is and I deal with it constantly but I have also been letting some of CJ's words sink in and a lot of the other gals here. I was trying to understand the difference between having only what you need and having a digital camera and Cj put it to me like this - it is not about deprivation - its about determining what is important to you and yours... I hope this helps to ease you in the supermarket... or you can just say - ack Kimmee's

!! Buy the way - I love your "name" what does it mean - it always catches my eye!!

**rumrunnergirl** · 11-29-2004, 11:05 PM

A rumrunner is a frozen drink made with rum, blackberry brandy, banana liquer, lime juice and grenadine. Yum! And I love Jimmy Buffett. My parents live in the Keys and I've always loved the lifestyle you envision when you think of living in the islands. Very laidback and stress-free, enjoying the good times, that's how I try to live. Before I had kids I used to go to the Keys and make a big blender-ful of rumrunners, and we'd go fishing and listen to Jimmy B.

Ah, the good old days, LOL.

**marietjie** · 11-30-2004, 09:11 AM

I agree with what BlessedMommy said. That is how I stock my pantry. When I come across a great loss leader and I also have a coupon, then I also get the" little extras" for my family. As long as I stay in my budget I get all the "extras" I can.

For example, last month I was able to get Keebler Ready Made pie crust for .29 ea. I stocked up and got 10. I don`t usually buy pie crust, but I hate making it and the kids like the Keebler ones so, I bought it. A little treat for me (I do not have to make it) and the kids like it.

I guess that we could of done without and saved a little, but my goal is to feed my family "well" for as little as possible. Not to just feed them as cheap as possible.

Anyway, I hope that made sense.