August No-Spend Challenge Day 15: Save Money By Organizing Your Stockpile!

Good morning, savvy savers! Can you believe we are almost half-way finished with this No-Spend Month! WooHoo! So, today will be the final day of this months No-Spend Challenge Cleaning projects!

Today I want to focus on one of the most neglected areas in my home, and perhaps yours, my couponed stockpile. Yes, the cave of Frugal Wonders! My stockpile, housed in my homes basement, though it’s well lit, houses many built-in shelving features, the area still seems to always be in need of rearranging, sorting, and cleaning! The one saving grace of this area, the exhilarating feeling I get each time I am able to gaze over my shelves, from the shampoo to the paper products, and then proceed to “shop from my home!”

My stockpile, though hard earned, is an immense blessing to my home. And as they say, to whom much is given, much is asked, and this rule equally applies to my stockpile! My stockpile saves my family thousands of dollars a year, but I must honestly admit is the most neglected area in my home. But no more! So today, I challenge you all to clean up your stockpile!

Here are a few tips to get you started:

Rotate your stockpile. “Rotating your stockpile” means rotating your stockpile per season. You will need to place goods in order of expiration date, my seasonal usage, as well as keeping climate into consideration; you may need to start storing it in one location for summer and another location for winter, in terms of baking tools, cans, chemicals, etc..
Long Term Storage: If you plan to store any item for longer than a week or two, you need to know its long-term storage requirements. Some items will only last months or longer if stored in a cool, dry place. Some items must be stored in a refrigerated or frozen environment in order to last longer. Make lists, and create sub-areas in your stockpile; examples are canned goods, cosmetics, paper products, etc.
Take Note of Patterns: Start a list of your product usage, this will allow you to see what you need, will use in a years time, and what should be donated accordingly. Unused goods are cash wasted.
Last Forever Items: Nothing lasts forever. Even goods such as bottled water, start to have an altered taste after a decade, so keep this in mind.
Canned and Preserved Goods: Keep inventory and note the dates of home-preserved items; a rule of thumbs is to keep items no longer than eighteen month.
Pests: Pests love your stockpile, almost as much as you do! Be sure to check goods monthly, especially in Summer, and any goods that look altered, chuck immediately!
Dehumidifier: Humidity can alter and mold many goods, so consider running a dehumidifier twice weekly. When able purchase an energy saving dehumidifier with accumulated survey gift cards for free, then deduct part of the cost off your tax return; the deductible amount will pay for the power used to dehumidify your stockpile space!

So, all-in-all, not bad for a mornings work! Keep in mind, this project took me a little less than three hours, during which time I was able to clean out three shelves of goods, and the best part… I assembled sixteen boxes worth of goods which are being donated today to a local women’s shelter and homeless pantry! This project took three hours, I was able to clean out three shelves of goods, and the best part… I assembled sixteen boxes worth of goods which are being donated today to a local women’s shelter and homeless pantry! Also, if you chose to donate goods to a registered non-for-profit with a 501 (c3) tax status, you can claim your goods at half the current market pricing value (so be sure to price goods, save receipts, and use price point guides as you prep items for donation), and the tax receipt you receive can ultimately reimburse you for all of the good, gas, ink, and paper expenses for your coupons thus far this year! Woohoo!

I have to admit, donating goods is an awesome feeling, but cleaning out my stockpile did take a good bit of work… because I’m a definite a stockpiler with clutter tendencies! The problem is for me, that I never seem to realize I have an issue with stockpile clutter, until the stockpile is well established and taking over multiple places in our home.

Keep in mind, three years ago I started off with a small shelf about three and a half feet long, but now I have a pantry, a set of five shelves, designated basement space, two build in cabinets, two refrigerators, and a deep freezer! This is in addition to the personal hygiene items are hiding in the bathroom cabinets.

You may think that stockpiling is 100% beneficial because of the money you’ve saved, but this is only until you find yourself drowning in groceries and perishable items! So, with this in mind… here are a few additional tips to help keep the clutter out of your stockpile going forward.

Not Having A Stockpile Limit: Your stockpile is out of control when it exceeds your storage space, period. If your stockpile is getting out of control, simply redesign your storage space. I looked at my available storage space and made a vow not to exceed my limits again. If you have a small space to work with for your stockpile, limit your goods by checking expiration dates, and anything that is set to expire in the next season, donate to a local charity, food pantry, or women’s shelter in your area.
Don’t Keep Items Past Their Expiration Date: Keeping your stockpile clear of expired foods will save space, money, and prevent you from eating stale, not so tasty foods. To prevent this, simply create a spread sheet or clipboard chart, and whenever you purchase a vast quantity of goods, write down their dates, and check over your sheet seasonally. Also, be sure to rotate goods quarterly so you are consuming or utilizing set-to-expire goods sooner than later—this will also allow you to evaluate what you have, and how much you’re actually using, before you go out and buy more in-store.
Don’t Stockpile Goods You Won’t Use/Donate: Items thrown away, is always equivalent to throwing cash down the drain. To prevent this, simply remember that all sales are cyclical and are guaranteed to rear their heads again within 3-4 months time. Also, when you are able to score freebies with deals, rebates, and coupons in-store, consider only purchasing goods you will be able to use with 12 months, or will donate within 6 months.
Weatherize Your Stockpile: One of the pitfalls of stockpiling is the location of your storage. Certain foods have to be stored in specific temperatures or not exposed to excessive heat. Not storing items at the proper temperature can cause food to expire more quickly and go to waste. A rule of thumbs, foods that are susceptible to insects or heat, such as most baked supplies can be bagged and frozen. Also, please click here to read my post on which goods from you stockpile can be winterized this season, too!
Give Your Stockpile A Safety Inspection: The most important thing to remember, stockpiles serve families, and should be safely stored for all members of your family, human and fur-babies alike. If the stockpile is stacked so high that items could fall and hit you on the head—it’s not safe. If your stockpile blocks a path you would need to exit in case of a fire—it’s a fire hazard. If you have flammable products near a fireplace or gas stove—you guessed it, a hazard! Organize goods in a safe, usable, functional manner.

I hope these tips will help you keep your stockpile organized, usable, safe, and secure! And if you have any stockpile tips, I’d love to hear about them in a comment below!

As well today I was also able to accomplish:

As part of my #Choose30 Daily Challenge, I woke up at 7:25, walked my fur babies, showered, & dressed to my shoes. (Thanks, Flylady!)
Worked on my daily Motivated Moms Planner, before heading out this morning.
Read my daily devotional.

Yesterday I saved:

I received a $200.00 tax receipt for donating goods to charity.
I also did not watch cable tv, and saved $3.68 by doing so.
Ate from my weekly menu, three times, and saved $8.91.

Total amount I saved my family: $212.59

This months savings goal remaining: $0.00! ($1,079.75 saved thus far)

So, how is your week looking? What are you saving this week, I’d love to hear about it!

Here’s to saving,

0 Comments

Nicole

Welcome, savvy savers! My name is Nicole, and I'm the LadyPrefers2Save. We believe in making the minimalist mindset manageable, through budgeting, upcycling, & healthy menu planning. I thank you for stopping by and giving us the opportunity to help you prefer to save, too!