I have been told that there are some that don't understand why I have so much food. I do donate (about 300 items just this fall), share with family and friends, and of course stockpile a bunch. Exp dates are long and if they come close, we give away to those that need it. I don't clear off shelves (I am in the land of many stores). I look at it as supplementing the family income.
While others may look at your stockpile pics and compliment you, I really think you have a hording problem. I love a good deal as much as anybody, but how can you justify having 50 boxes of cereal or 30 tubs of frosting? Even if you got it free, why do you need it? I think we all need to practice moderation. That way the deals are available to more people, and not just to a few people who clean off the shelves. I think it's okay to stock up when the deals are good, but what you are doing is ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteNo, my mother has a hording problem, Karen has a stockpile. There is a HUGE difference trust me. As for my family, we can go through three-four boxes of cereal a week easily, so if 50 boxes lasts us less than 15 weeks, how can that be considered hording? Not that I have 50 boxes, but I sure wouldn't mind it if I did - they don't expire for almost a year from the date of purchase most of the time.
ReplyDeleteI have learned that everyone has their own life to live, and if others feel the need to chastise others for things in their lives, it tends to mean there is something wrong in their own. I am sorry for whatever is wrong in your life Laura and I hope you can come to some sort of peace in it.
In any case, after Christmas, I vow to have my shelves look like yours Karen, all nice and neat and in dated order.
I disagree with Laura. My Grandma use to can and garden to stock up...I coupon. What's the difference between having a basement full of garden canning (besides the nutritional value) and a freezer full of home butchered livestock vs. coupon shopping to fill the shelves. Karen is not a shelf clearer or hoarder. Laura is everyone in your family still employed during this economic down turn? Do you know what it's like to not know where the payments for the house will come from because you can't find a job? She works with the stores to get the best deals for her family and favorite charities.
ReplyDeleteFor one...I do NOT clear the shelves at all. I find that rude. Though if there are only 4 on the shelf, I will take the 4 of them if I need them for the deal.
ReplyDeleteI understand Laura that you may think it is hording, but you don't know my life or what I do with it all. When you have the main bread winner out of work since Feb and myself only working part time, you do what you can to save money. We can take the money that I saved on not buying it on the whim and buy Christmas presents or that unexpected vehicle repair.
I am so happy that I can help out my brother, whose GF died after being hit by a car about a month ago (there goes half of the income in the house). If he needs anything, he knows that he can come to my house and take it home. Can or would you be able to do that?
We just had a get together with other couponers and I was able to donate at least 6 grocery bags full of stuff to various organizations.
We stockpile, so that we can help out a friend in need. Those that are hit by a hardship and just need a little to help them out until they can get back on their feet.
Again...I am sorry that you feel that what I am doing is wrong, BUT I know that what I am doing is going to keep my family and several other families with food on their plates.
I actually do know what it's like to struggle financially. My husband, four kids and I survive on around $40,000/year on a good year. My husband has been laid off twice in the past two years. I know how hard it is to make ends meet. I have always been frugal, and I respect people who are frugal. That said, I also think some people take things too far. That is my opinion. There are always new sales and deals so why stockpile so much? I seriously don't think you will use all that cereal before another good deal comes along. If you give so much food away, why do you have so much in the pictures? I just don't see the point in making your home into a Cub Foods. It seems like some readers here get so angry. Did I hit a nerve? Do you feel embarassed of your "stockpile"? I don't wish ill on anyone. I just wanted to share my ideas. Does anyone out there share my opinion?
ReplyDeletethanks for posting these pictures karen! your daughter did a great job organizing your shelves!
ReplyDeletei really appreciate all the great ideas you have given on your blog, as they have helped save our family so much money and we have been able to donate food the local food shelter.
i initially thought 30 boxes of cereal was a lot too; however, i have probably about 40 boxes in my stock pile right now. :)
Laura, who wouldn't feel angry when someone comes to post that they think that another person has a "problem" - what has happened to people and manners? I also do not believe it is our place to point out other issues, such as some who cannot spell or put sentences together well (you do not say good, you say well) or to understand when to use whether or weather in a sentence. To me, it is all about what I was taught as a child, "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all."
ReplyDeleteIf you have something to say in a comment section, be brave enough to sign your name. It's very easy to write something critical and then be anonymous!
ReplyDeleteNo I am not embarrassed by my stockpile at all. If I was, would I post it for people to see? I work hard at providing food for my family and we will be lucky if we make $40,000 this year for a family of 4 and 2 dogs.
ReplyDeleteAs far as why do I have so much and why not wait for the next sale? Coupons may not be the same, sale may not be as good, etc. I am sure that you have noticed that prices aren't going down.
Did you know that Cub Foods may be doing away with the Buy $30 get $15 (or any other similar program)? Most of the items have been bought using one of those programs.
Yes, you do have an opinion and that is why I haven't deleted it. I am sure that there are others who don't understand why we have large stockpiles and I want them to realize that this is what we do to survive.
I want to thank those with all the positive comments and I pray that those that have a hard time understanding will see why I do have a large stockpile.
Please do NOT turn this into an argument or I will delete posts.
Karen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing your pic! I wish my pantry was that organized! I appreciate all of your hard work and letting us know about the good deals. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Barb
Thanks for the pics, Karen. DD did a great job organizing! First of all, I would LOVE to take in $40k at our household. I do think Laura has a right to her opinion and shouldn't be chastised for that. I too have a problem with stockpiling if it is not being used, but Karen uses everything that she buys in one way or another. Some people just don't have the extra money to stockpile, and she helps those people out. It's amazing how little you waste when you don't have the money to buy things.
ReplyDeleteI by no means have this sort of stockpile, but I wish I had more space to keep more. At our house we won't stockpile things we "might" use just because it's $.50, we don't have that $.50 to waste. When everything coming in is spent on diapers, bills and gas, you have to get creative for that last little $25-50 you have in a paycheck that has to last 2 weeks for everything else you need at your house. I am so thankful for Karen sharing her talents with the rest of us so we're able to get great deals too. Granted I'm still new to couponing, but she has taught me how to maximize for my biggest bang for my buck. It's to the point where I can't stand paying full price for anything, or flat out can't afford to.
Great pictures!! Thank you for sharing them. Your DD did an amazing job of organizing-that is not an easy task! I just did mine earlier this week. Our stockpile is puny compared to yours, but we only have half a closet, one child, no pets, and no Cub. LOL :)
ReplyDeleteDoesn't it feel so good to have enough for your family AND to give? I love it. Great work!