Is "stockpile" a four letter word?

**iida** · 07-15-2008, 11:53 AM

I think that stockpiling is one of the smartest things to do when you want to save money. But yes, most people just don´t get it. Not even those who want to cut their grocery bill.

Once I bought ground beef very cheaply, almost for nothing, and I just couldn´t understand why most people just took one or two packs of it while I bought over twenty. There was nothing wrong with it and I guess most people would have a freezer at home. Even if I was single I would buy more than one pack.

**Dancing Lotus** · 07-15-2008, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by meanestmom

I think its not just stockpiling. Even if you tell friends you bought a used car, they look at you like, why not just buy new? When I tell them I don't make payments, we pay cash, they actually look at me like I'm stupid! I've learned to mostly keep my mouth shut!

People just don't get it. That's fine leaves more deals on the shelves for me.

When I first started stockpiling I was so excited I told everyone. Now I am totally off the radar. Its not worth the criticizing.

**cmdarlin** · 07-15-2008, 12:41 PM

I wish I had learned more about stockpiling in my early years as a housewife. Oh the money I would of been able to save. With everything that's going on now, I'm trying. I look forward to when we get in a better situation and I can do a little more and hopefully teach my kids too.

The Frugal Village has been a godsend! I'm learning so much.

Debbie in Missouri

**shoiji** · 07-15-2008, 01:03 PM

I have to admit when I first started hearing about peoples stockpiles I was thinking more on the lines of hoarding. But after reading where people lived, family size, and saving money I understand the stockpiles. And am somewhat envious. I am being more aggressive with the stockpiling and have spread the stockpiling to under the bed and different closets. With the prices of everything increasing I just feel better knowing I bought items at a better price and don't have to worry for a while. Years ago I remember telling a friend about using coupons and how they pay for the newspaper. It took a while for her to get it. Also had to explain to her that once a car is paid off you don't need to buy a new one. You could save the money on payments to buy another car later. This also was another long conversation.

I am just glad I found this website. It also helps when I need a good reality check.

**prftstrngr** · 07-15-2008, 01:21 PM

This site is awesome and I am learning so much reading what other people are doing. Im actually starting to get a small stock pile going and I hope it gets bigger before winter! Im worried about oil costs and heating my house!

**savvymom** · 07-15-2008, 01:25 PM

I will be going on my first grocery trip with coupons and sale papers in hand on Friday, I'm hoping then my DH will understand my sudden passion for coupons. After reading everything on here for a couple of days, the light bulb went off. Then of course I immediately though what a dummy I've been to have not been doing this all along, better late than never.

I'm so excited to get started with my stockpile, while slow at least I'll be making progress! Thank you all for being such great teachers and sharers of your knowledge.

**pollypurebred39** · 07-15-2008, 04:02 PM

We have always stockpiled. Up until recently I've always had 6 plus months of paper goods, meds, dry goods on hand. As well as 2 months worth of food and two months pay.

My husband works in an industry that often times will have a two month lay off at a time. The way we have done this has always served us well.

Others in the same industry (friends of ours) Have just relied on credit cards or borrowing from parents during those times. They thought us a bit daft for stockpiling or setting aside 2 months pay.

When we get back on our feet again I believe we will shoot for a full 6 months of everything. It definately is wise to be prepared. My mom made sure we were stockpiled when I was younger, she still does even though she is retired and it is just her. I guess it was all those years of hard farm living.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 07-15-2008, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by Clutterbug Jen

Personally, I think stockpiling is a "5" letter word ...

SMART!

Jen

Love it, Jen!!

Up here "stockpiling" is a good word... There have been times where food shipments haven't come through...

Time to build the stockpile bigger than ever with what's looming on the horizon!!

**Wendy99** · 07-16-2008, 01:38 PM

I've started this well and love it... have a ways to go yet .. i have a small closet for it right now, but we'll see what we can do

**freyadog** · 08-12-2008, 11:31 AM

I do not use the word "Stockpiling" around people except my mom. she is on SS and understands the value of a penny.

The #1 main reason is that they do not understand and really don't want to. Like the ostrich with its head in the sand. #2 Is that it is none of their business. #3 When times get harder than they are now and I do foresee a much harder time coming I do not want the hassle of having to stand over my "Stockpile" with a shotty.

My dh's truck is a 1985 chevy. Our house and land, here in Va. and TX. are paid for. "Stockpile" you betcha. but only here with FV friends and my mom.

**elphie** · 08-12-2008, 12:57 PM

I think that for most people this has to do with the perception that people who stockpile (and do other frugal things) must be poor and just can't afford to pay full price for things. Even some who ARE struggling and could really benefit from a stockpile resist it because the real four letter word in our culture is POOR.

My mom had a really hard time when I decided to stay home and she saw me doing things that my grandmother and she had both done. Things like meatless meals a few night a week, canning vegetables, and even stockpiling. She made the comment that she "wanted better for me than she'd had". My mom grew up very poor and when I was young we were doing a little better than when she grew up but still poor. She made sure I went to college so I wouldn't struggle as she had and told me all the time that this is why college was important. So, it was actually a really heartbreaking thing for her to see me doing the things she equated with poverty and her own struggles.

Over time I have been able to help her see that this is the life I choose, that yes, I could earn more money and not do these things but for us it isn't worth what we would have to give up. I am trying to teach my kids that education is important as a means of pursuing their dreams, not as a way to pad their bank accounts. For right now, being a SAHM is all I could ever want or dream for so I think in that regard I am better off than my mom... her dreams were out of reach and she thought it was because of not enough money... I realized that too much money (in the form of a 2nd income) was keeping my dreams out of reach.

**WV_mom_of2** · 08-12-2008, 07:04 PM

I usually only talk about my stockpile here and at work. Only 4 other people work with me. One man lives with his mom and could care less, one is married and believes in stockpiling. One is a woman who has a pantry of items and one is my boss, who has been asking me questions about stockpiling, sales, etc. and has his wife also asking me frugal questions LOL. Otherwise only my mom knows about my stockpile.

I live in a very rural area and times are tough for alot of people here with rising gas and grocery prices. I honestly wouldn't put it past some of the people(my neighbors) here to break in and steal food and HBA items if times get much tougher.

**yankeegal** · 08-12-2008, 07:18 PM

I don't discuss my stockpile with my friends...most would look at me like I had two heads. Most of my friends are also up to their eyeballs in debt.
Just this past week I dipped into my stockpile-I had an unexpected bill that I used my weekly grocery money for. I was able to put together a nice week of meals from what I had on hand. It does work!