What is a Stockpile?

[jacquelynrose]

I am assuming it is you buy the same item that is deeply discounted and use it or save it for later? Like snack bars are on sale for .50 cents and you stock up on 20 boxes right?

The reason I am asking although I think I already know the definition is because I just want to be sure that is what it is...I had looked for the defintion and could not find it anywhere.

Jacquelyn

[getforfree]

That's right. I buy a lot when I find it at a great discounted price. That way you have enough for long time and don't have to buy it at "whatewer price" when you run out.

Certain items i buy, like non-food and long-term nonperishables I buy at least month in advance. If I see that my shelf is low, I search for great deals on that item. Because when you run out, it's too late, you might not find a good price for long time.

[Bluezy]

Yes. I did that with nappies for CJ. Find damaged boxes of disposables at a fraction and bought every one I could find. Got us through the lean learly years.

[boefixepa]

I buy in bulk at the discount that this allows and stock up on sales. As I cook from scratch it allows me be creative and make whatever hits my fancy. I have roughly enough from scratch pantry items to sustain between 1-2 people for a year. This means I have over 100 lbs of flour, and lots of suger, wheat, beans, rice, seanonings, oil, baking soda, baking powder, corn meal, oatmeal, cooking oil, cooking chocolate. I don't think that I have less than 20 bags of various chocolate chips (not all chocolate, but butterscot, cherry etc.) at any given time. I also have canned goods galour too, and freezer items. I have a good inventory system, and I use what I have to rotate it. I do this to take advante of buying in bulk for a single person and to make sure that whatever happens, job lose, illness, bad winter storm, earth quake, etc. I have enough for my needs, and probably to help out many of neighbors who are not as lucky, or have not planned as well as I. Though don't be asking me for diapers....I don't have any. It means you have to learn how to store things like this for long term and know how long things will keep. That easy enough to learn there are plenty of books on it. You don't want to buy it all at once, just grandually build so that you can use and rotate things so they don't go bad. It's a lifestyle choice, not a passing fade kind of thing. I've seen many buy it all at once and then it just sits around for years on end and then, if they ever needed to use it, it would be bad? Like people who buy seeds so they could plant a garden if they needed ever needed to? Um...seeds last for one year maybe two before most will not sprout....and how are you storing them? In the hot garage? and um....gardens don't always do so well if you don't know what you are doing! Same kind of concept. Learn now how to wisely use and store a stockpile and when the system becomes a necessity, as at somepoint in your life it likely will, then you already know how to do it.

"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."

[PrincessPerky]

a pile of stock..
sorry you got goodd definitions I could resist giving the silly one

[getforfree]

stocking up and piling up...

[Dido]

Originally Posted by boefixepa

I have a good inventory system, and I use what I have to rotate it.

Would you mind saying a little bit more about your inventory system? Do you keep it on pencil and paper, via a spreadsheet, or what? Do you organize it item by item or category by category?

[jacquelynrose]

LOL Thanks you guys. Well, I am going to keep an eye out for stuff to stockpile then.

[boefixepa]

Dido,

I purchased a book that had a list, and it was borken up by categories (grains, legunes, protiens, fats, etc. ) and had estimated amounts per person for a year. I spent a Saturday and did an inventory of everything I had. Then I compared the two lists and created my own. I took off things I knew I would not eat (sorry hate lima beans, but I love pinto beans) and added things I wanted on the list. My inventory of spices, extracts, and cooking chocolates for example. I store what I eat and eat what I store, kind of concept. Once I did that I had a good picture of what I lacked and worked little by little to build up the shallow areas. I noticed right off I really lacked alot of whole grains and have been working to assimulate those into my diet. It wasn't that I didn't like them, just that I was not raised on them and didn't worry about it.

I did transfer the list to a spreadsheet, but I just do an inventory every six months to update it. If you would like to see it, it is an excel spreadsheet. If you want it, let me know I would be happy to email it to you.

[Dido]

Originally Posted by boefixepa

I did transfer the list to a spreadsheet, but I just do an inventory every six months to update it. If you would like to see it, it is an excel spreadsheet. If you want it, let me know I would be happy to email it to you.

Great, thanks, I'd like to see it! I sent you a private message with my email address.