The New Stockpiling Technique...What A Fire Teaches Us.

Looking at everything we had to throw away after the fire, made us all stop and think what it all meant.  It was a shock, and an eye opener, yes, there were items that were thrown away that made us sad, and items that we tossed, that we didn't even know we had.  Looking at all the items that I received because I got them for free from a coupon that I had, items that were gifts, or items that we just never got around to returning, I'm sure many of you know exactly what I'm talking about.  It was overwhelming.  Thinking about it all, made me realize though we weren't hoarding items, and we could freely move around our house, I wondered, was it only a matter of time before we lived like this?:

I thought about this, for the sheer fact that we had many items we didn't even know we had.  We had clutter, what we hadn't realized is just how much the items that were cluttering our house, were in fact cluttering our minds, and sabotaging our goals at becoming healthier, and organized. It was a road block so to speak. 

With this new start, we have sat down as a family and made lists of what we all wanted, and what we needed, what goals we wanted to achieve, as well as what items as far as groceries, beauty & cleaners we would be able to stock up on, not because there was a sale, or because we had coupons, but because we would truly need them.  Yes, there is a huge rush when you walk out of a store with a hundred dollars worth of items and you only paid a few dollars.  You must think though, is it a deal if you wont be using them item?  Is it a deal if the item sits on your shelf for months and months, possibly years before you inevitably just toss it, because it expired?  Is it a deal if you have to spend hours rearranging a shelf just to fit it in somewhere in your house? 

We are fortunate, we have a rather large laundry room, and large closets, this can however come back and bite you right where it counts.  Right now since we are living in only half the house, our laundry room is where all our clothes are kept, and just about everything else.  We are however redoing this room, as far as shelving and organizational tactics are concerned.  We decided to take down some shelving and put up a peg board from the floor to ceiling, to hang items that we decided to stock up on, such as razors, cough drops, floss, toothbrushes, chapstick, etc.  Items that are easily hung.  We can see all the items we have, and know exactly where everything is, there is no question about "Where did we put...?"  There is no question about, a store is having a sale on razors, should we get a few more if they're only 99¢?  If the pegs are full, I would say it's a sale that we can pass up on and keep those 99¢ in our pockets.

Being more conscience of items that we toss, and have made us stop and look at the shelves we took down.  So we re-spaced the shelving against another wall, and re-used the existing shelving, after painting them and sealing them so there would be no further smell of that burnt plastic that seemed to get in everywhere. 

Re-spacing the shelving gave us the room to stock up on items that we agreed to stock up on.  Deodorant, Shampoo, Conditioners, Body Washes, Paper Towels, Salad Dressing, Cat Food, Dog Food, Pasta, Storage Bags, Cleaners, Contact Solution, Shaving Gel, etc.

Most areas were given a set amount of space, after figuring on what amount of each item we would need for a set amount of time.  Sales usually run in 12 to 16 week circles.  Now we decided that the deodorant, shampoos, conditioners, shaving needs, etc we would give those spaces a little more room, due to the fact that we have twin 12 year old girls who both have long hair, and are coming into that stage of beauty and looks are very important.  (I knew it was only a matter of time!) 

We made a conscience decision, a NEW goal,  that this would be the only room that our stockpile would be placed.  We will not be placing a stockpile of shampoo in the bathroom closet, no that will hold towels, and sheets.  The other half of this room won't be completed for a few months, at least not until we are able to move back upstairs. 

The fire made us all realize that just because it's on sale, doesn't make it a good deal.  It's only if you are able to get it on sale, and you'll be using it that makes it a great deal!  During the months that we were in the hotel, and we were purchasing items that were on sale, and storing in plastic totes at the house, gave us the opportunity to make some pretty drastic changes.  Those plastic totes will not go wasted.  No, we have a goal for those plastic totes as well.  Those totes will be used for trial size freebies, and other freebies that we find and we will donate to those in need.  As a Tote fills, that's when it will be time to head on down to the food pantry, and make a donation.  We will no longer wait for a holiday, or a good cause to go and donate.  In the state of Rhode Island, the unemployment rate is over 11% - I am also included in those numbers, though we lived through several surgeries with both girls, as well as my husband, a fire, a flood, sicknesses and countless other obstacles, I realize that there are hundreds, and thousands of other families out there that are far more worse off than my family.  So now it's our time to help those who need it, and make it a family thing, to teach our girls that you don't have to wait for the holidays to give.