- dish soap - 3
- maxi pads (there should be a better word for these) - 8
- shampoo - 3
- conditioner -3
- toothpaste - 4
- deodorant - 5
- bar soap - 11
- contact lens solution - 5
- razors - 7
- pain relievers - 4
- body wash - 1
- paper towels - 7
- mouthwash - 3
Oh, it doesn’t look too extravagant here in such a tidy little list. But this here is what is known in frugality-ville as a “stockpile.” Most of the things on this list, I’ve amassed in the last two months at little or no cost out of pocket by combing couponing with CVS-ing and Walgreen’s “Free after Rebate-ing.”
Being the me that I am, I often find myself wondering if this is a good practice. On the one hand, this helps stretch our budget a little bit further (in theory) because I’m paying very little or nothing for most of these things.
I remember reading a post from Trista at The Pumpkin Patch about things she would never buy again because they are often available for free (at least I think I read it at Trista’s. I haven’t been able to find it again). This was one post that piqued my interest in the whole CVS system; and it does in fact seem to be true if you know the amazing bargain secrets and are willing to put in the time jumping through the amazing bargain hoops (while not simultaneously filling your cart with other non-bargains in your glee over the aforementioned bargains).
On the other hand, I keep thinking about these verses from Matthew 6 (NIV):
19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
God is so creative in the ways he does and is able to provide. This bargain shopping gig can be a little addicting, and I just feel like maybe I don’t actually need anymore deodorant right now.
Leave it to me to write an obsessive post about maxi pads. What say you, Internets?
I love me a good stockpile. Nothing thrills me more than knowing I have a months worth of toilet paper shoved in my cupboards. I think the Free Factor might just push me over the edge though.
I have had the same thoughts. Sometimes I think I used it as an excuse not to get back into the major deals game. I truly do not have the time (It would take away from the limited time with the fam). I have often thought that I am wrong not to take advantage of it. When I did have a stock pile, I would send tons of the stuff to my husband’s work - a social service agency. The orphans worldwide needed it more than us! That is an idea . . . use your “addiction” to help supply food closets in your area. OR I know a super humantarian aid director here in Dallas who will take all sorts of drug store items for orphans!
I hadn’t thought of that verse in relation to stockpiling my cheap or free items. But I really like that YOU did.
I’m a frugal gal by nature and I love free things, but you’re so right about the whole need thing. Who in the world NEEDS 5 contact lens solutions? I mean, it takes me about 1 year to use one bottle.
But if you get something free, than give it away? Shazaam. Now that’s a godly practice.
I think we’ve all been there — trying to be frugal and we end up stock piling tons of STUFF that we’re SURE to use one day! My issue is space — if I stock pile, I have to store the stuff somewhere. And then I have my husband figuring the cost to store the stuff and then it looks as if I haven’t saved any money at all because if we don’t use that stuff for a year, then the interest on the money I spent . . . well, that’s a whole 10 cents!! YIKES!!! I’m with the thought — if it’s free and you have enough, give it away, girlfriend!