what essentials have you NOT had to buy for the past year...

**sabrelvssammy** · 01-09-2010, 10:35 AM

with all the stockpiling that we all have seemed to accomplish (both intentional and non) so well....what 'essential' items have you not had to buy for all of 2009 coz you finally decided to use up all that you have laying around the house....

'essential' meaning all those items that you use daily/weekly/monthly or repeatedly in your lifestyle...do not include things that you no longer use...just those items that you have plenty of and have found no reason to purchase anymore for awhile...

i have found that the following would be on my list:

shampoo
conditioner
hair spray
my body soaps (dh still goes thru alot of his own soap)
make-up
any facial products (cleansers, lotions, toners, face masks)
dental floss
body sprays/colognes
baby oil
disp razors
q-tips
band aids/antibiotic ointments
sunscreen/sunless tanning lotions
dryer sheets
ziploc baggies
cleaners of any type (seems to be the #1 item tenants leave behind)

that's my list so far...and all those items i still see no end in sight...(good thing i guess)

i will add more to it later.... wanted to get this ball rolling....

**dcompton** · 01-09-2010, 10:47 AM

Hmmmmm. The only things that come to mind are canned tomatoes and chicken broth. The tomatoes I found towards the end of 2008 - .33 a can with long expiration dates. My closet looked like a tomato warehouse. I generally use at least a couple of cans a week. Chicken broth, the same. I bought more at Thanksgiving because those are the best sales for it of the year, but I still have a good bit of the older batch.

Oh. Ketchup too.

**mombottoo** · 01-09-2010, 10:47 AM

Toothpaste & shampoo. Everything else I usually by in 3 month supplies...so every 3 months I have to stock up on one thing or the other.

**NewLeaf** · 01-09-2010, 10:58 AM

laundry detergent (I make homemade and have ingrediants)
dish detergent
soap
shampoo
toothpaste
deodarant

oatmeal
flour
rice
dried beans
canned vegies
cornmeal
dried milk
honey
potatoes
canned fruit
emergen-c
jelly
shortening
brownie mix
chocolate chips
spaghetti noodles
ketchup
mayo

**wunsagin** · 01-09-2010, 01:24 PM

laundry soap
toothpaste
shampoo
conditioner
shortening

that's about it.

**frugalfranny** · 01-09-2010, 01:39 PM

Shampoo
Conditioner
Body Soap
Baggies
Dog Shampoo
Toothpaste
Body Cream

And won't need any for awhile but with the other - TP, paper towels, laundry soap, baggies, etc. - I may not 'need' it but am always watching for a really good sale, as these things don't 'expire' -get old, etc. So, when I see a 'super sale' I will still buy them.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 01-09-2010, 01:47 PM

Hmmmm...I think the only things I didn't have to buy are floss, my bath soap, and peanut butter. But, better than nothing!

**Libby** · 01-09-2010, 02:08 PM

I think mine are all HBA & laundry/cleaning:

Shampoo, conditioner, hair gel, body wash/shower gel, bar soap, body sprays, ace washes & moisturizers, body lotion - various strengths, sun protection and after care, band aids, polysporin, toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash and epsom salts.

Liquid laundry detergent, Bounce dryer sheets, stain removal sticks, Dryel sheets, white vinegar, Windex, Vim Oxyclean, Mr Clean, Lysol wipes.

Oh yeah in terms of food: sugar free drink sticks, drink mixes, jello and pudding mixes - from my former job.

**savvy_sniper** · 01-09-2010, 02:10 PM

Okay these might not be essentials to anybody else, but I sell online. I have not had to buy peel & stick postage labels, boxes, tape, computer paper, packing peanuts, or bubblewrap. I got TONS of peel and stick postage labels for free when a lady was closing up her garage sale. Friends and family save peanuts and bubblewrap for me and I have gotten some on freecycle. I got a great deal on packing tape over a year ago and I bought TWO cases. Same thing goes for computer paper.

I have not purchased shampoo, soap, or deodorant in over a year. I have tons of free samples and bought some at a great price a while back. A friend is a flight attendant and brings me all the soap and shampoo from his hotel stays.

**fairydana** · 01-09-2010, 02:57 PM

wow!! This is inspiring. I have not stockpiled anything and it seems like we are forever running out of things.

Do yall buy things when they are on sale or clearance. How do you have sooo much that you havent had to buy any in a whole year? Please fill me in!!

**baxjul** · 01-09-2010, 03:09 PM

I've slacked off on my stockpiling, so I'm hoping to pick it back up.

**shoiji** · 01-09-2010, 04:07 PM

Well, if I didn't feel the need to stockup on the following items when the price is to good to pass up:

feminine care products,
shampoo,
detergent,
dishwasher detergent
bodywash
toothpaste

All of the above I have enough for a year some maybe two.

**Contrary Housewife** · 01-09-2010, 04:16 PM

Fairydana, yes, I buy when things are on sale or clearance. Get multiples cheap, then you don't have to buy it at regular price for a while, and have the freedom to wait for the next sale or markdown.

I can't think of much that I have a YEARs worth of. We bought 2 bags of popcorn at an amish grocery 2 years ago, and still have 1 bag left, and we do eat that quite a bit for snacks. I guess that means we have a year or two left.

I am good on sweet relish, since I bought a large jar this fall, just before I made 3 pints of it from the last of my green tomatoes. That will last a year or more.

Everything else is a 3-6 month supply.

**JerryG** · 01-09-2010, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by fairydana

wow!! This is inspiring. I have not stockpiled anything and it seems like we are forever running out of things.

Do yall buy things when they are on sale or clearance. How do you have sooo much that you havent had to buy any in a whole year? Please fill me in!!

For me, I buy when stuff's on sale and with a coupon. Altho my list isn't as big as some of the other FVer's, I did not purchase, meds (OTC), kleenex or dish soap in all of '09. The dish soap is on the last dregs of the last bottle and I need to clean out the bathroom cabinet to see what's expired of the meds.