Are you stockpiling?

[CravingHobnobs]

Are you stockpiling food, clothes, toys, medicines? I’ve gotten a bit worried lately with the news of price increases and limited supplies. Shelves seem fairly full where I am (London) but perhaps that’s not going to last? Can’t help but notice much of my food comes from abroad, not to mention medicines, DC clothes and toys, etc.

I’m a bit skint already but if prices will rise and I can do a bit of Christmas shopping for DC now I reckon I’d rather have it sorted.

@Miniroofbox hugs You seem to have done the sensible thing and have a buffer for difficult times and it worked. I don't know why you are getting grief.

Before the plague, when I saw a good bargain, I committed. I bought loads. I would wait until Heinz beans were on offer for 50p and buy a shedload to last until the next sale (haven't seen it below 60p this year). I have handwash I got on offer well before the plague which will see out next year. If I saw a good deal on something that I would use then I would buy a load. That was normal for me, and for a lot of people. You had a little extra in your cupboard to tide you over until the next sale and you planned accordingly. I used to wait until the Tesco 'Free From' yearly sale and buy a year's worth of gluten free pasta and go large on things like gluten free gravy powder and stuffing and cereal.

It made economic sense to me. I'm not on the poverty line, but I need to watch the pennies. When I saw a sale, I took advantage. These days, I don't take advantage so much, as there isn't so much to go around. I stockpile less. But it still makes sense to have a buffer and to take advantage of sales.

We probably had Covid in March 2020 (according to 111 - no tests available). There were no delivery slots available at the start of the lockdowns, and I have to stay gluten free. That buffer, which was far from rooms full of loo roll, made a massive difference. It meant we could eat.

@Tyredofallthis1 same. Boots had hand wash for 10p, and expensive shampoo/conditioner for 30p - £3 (usually £10 ish). I took advantage, stocked up and got £330 worth of products for £30 or so and yes I left plenty on the shelves
This was pre Covid, my dad laughed. He wasn't amused when I had 10 bottles of hand wash when covid hit and the shops had none...

No. And if I was skint and worried about food getting in I wouldn’t be stocking up on Christmas gifts, I’d be buying things like beans and rice.

As it happens I have the money but I don’t have the space.

I'm stockpiling Gin.

@Lola001

I'm stockpiling Gin.

Don't forget the tonic!

At start of first lockdown I was awash with gin (I'd been given some for Christmas) but had no tonic and none available for a while. Very frustrating. So I now have a slab of glass-bottled tonic (keeps better than plastic) kept for emergencies, and periodically drunk up and replaced.

But going by what some posters are saying, that initial purchase caused mayhem in the supermarket supply chains last autumn, as I bought something as well as the usual number of bigger bottles (which asymmetrically falls when I'm changing over the one in the store cupboard)

I just really don’t get why I’m being told that kitchen roll is unnecessary and I caused the shelves to be bare and shat on poor people.

I have a well stocked larder and a small two shelf freezer above my fridge (which is also normal sized).

I keep tins of various things, some extra jar sauces, sometimes loo roll (it was on a 2 for a fiver just before the Christmas and I bought 2), usually an extra bottle or two of squash.

It was Christmas. I’d my kids (and partners) staying and visiting lots and I’d bought extra to cover having 5 extra people in the house. They weren’t able to do that because I was in hospital.

But people claiming I have rooms full of stuff and having a go at me are just wrong.

The only thing that got thrown out was a half drunk bottle of schloer that had been opened and gone flat and I forgot about. Everything else was stuff we would eat.

And before someone jumps on me. They stayed but we didn’t have the family celebrations and meals that we had planned.

@Miniroofbox

I just really don’t get why I’m being told that kitchen roll is unnecessary and I caused the shelves to be bare and shat on poor people.

I have a well stocked larder and a small two shelf freezer above my fridge (which is also normal sized).

I keep tins of various things, some extra jar sauces, sometimes loo roll (it was on a 2 for a fiver just before the Christmas and I bought 2), usually an extra bottle or two of squash.

It was Christmas. I’d my kids (and partners) staying and visiting lots and I’d bought extra to cover having 5 extra people in the house. They weren’t able to do that because I was in hospital.

But people claiming I have rooms full of stuff and having a go at me are just wrong.

The only thing that got thrown out was a half drunk bottle of schloer that had been opened and gone flat and I forgot about. Everything else was stuff we would eat.

You’re not. I mentioned, in response to a number of posts on this thread who said they stock up on kitchen paper, that I don’t personally consider kitchen paper a necessity. I can’t remember the last time I bought kitchen paper so was surprised so many see it as a necessity. You have taken that very personally. I’m sorry you’re going through a tough time.

Apols if this has been said but apparently people stock up on paper because a) they will need it eventually b) it doesn't perish.

The desire to stockpile is both natural and rational, IMO, in uncertain times. What is desirable/sensible at an individual level is not necessarily desirable/sensible at societal level. But rationing was introduced because it was necessary to regulate to prevent people prioritising their family. It isn't a new thing, it'll never go away.

I think a lot of people on here weirdly seem to think that people who add an extra item to their shop whilst supply is good are the same as someone who goes into a shop when there are shortages, and clears the shelves of hundreds of loo rolls. I'm not sure why they can't see there's a very sensible in between.

@Booknooks

I think a lot of people on here weirdly seem to think that people who add an extra item to their shop whilst supply is good are the same as someone who goes into a shop when there are shortages, and clears the shelves of hundreds of loo rolls. I'm not sure why they can't see there's a very sensible in between.

I think a lot of people just hate preppers because preppers admit fear and do something about it, whereas in British society suppressing fear is the norm. We are all just a little scared of the zombie apocalypse really, but most push it out of their minds.

@naynayisay

I only stockpile Diet Coke as the local Asda keeps running out of the big boxes & I'm an addict.

There is a shortage apparently of Diet Coke and Coke Zero, I didn't realise this and DH drinks it, luckily the 24 pack I ordered from Tesco arrived this week but that maybe why Asda running out

tyre I have noticed the same with the beans. 50p a can was always when I would get them.

Asda tend to have them for £3.50 for 6, very occasionally they will go down to £3 but that is about the best price. Even the likes of B&M they are usually £3.50 for the 6.

I think that sticking up on non-perishable, non-food items that life would be harder without is sensible, because come the zombie apocalypse (or whatever happens next to interrupt Mammon's smooth trade) food, medicine and soap/toothpaste will be prioritised, but not necessarily anything else.

So think about things like bin bags, washing powder, washing up liquid and scourers, kitchen roll, tin foil, toothbrushes etc. Always having a spare, rather than waiting until last minute and replacing 'just in time', might be sensible.

I've got hundreds of Calpol syringes.

We've bought all the DC's christmas presents already this year when we usually wouldn't start christmas shopping until November. But with the reports of supply chains being disrupted from October we thought we should sort things out now. Is this stockpiling or panic buying though, or does that only count if it's food or toilet roll?

We do always keep a well stocked chest freezer and pantry, but that is a habit picked up from my parents, not a reaction to the events of recent years. If the shops all shut tomorrow, we would probably be fine for 2 or 3 weeks.

Before the plague, when I saw a good bargain, I committed. I bought loads. I would wait until Heinz beans were on offer for 50p and buy a shedload to last until the next sale (haven't seen it below 60p this year). I have handwash I got on offer well before the plague which will see out next year. If I saw a good deal on something that I would use then I would buy a load. That was normal for me, and for a lot of people. You had a little extra in your cupboard to tide you over until the next sale and you planned accordingly. I used to wait until the Tesco 'Free From' yearly sale and buy a year's worth of gluten free pasta and go large on things like gluten free gravy powder and stuffing and cereal

Exactly. I don't see what is so hard or so controversial about it. It was how my mother taught me to shop! I never buy toilet roll, kitchen roll and tissues at the regular price. I stock up when they are cleap. Currently cans of tomatoes are cheap in my local and tomorrow I will go and buy at least a dozen. This will last me about six weeks. Thing is, I did this before Covid. I've always done it!

Me too and my mum and my gran did the same.

@Lola001

I'm stockpiling Gin.

I tried that but keep drinking it (to make sure it hasn't gone off, obviously . . . )

I think a lot of people just hate preppers because preppers admit fear and do something about it, whereas in British society suppressing fear is the norm. We are all just a little scared of the zombie apocalypse really, but most push it out of their minds.

No, we've just seen what happens when people are selfish and walk out of supermarkets with their trolleys pilled high. It creates a problem for everyone else especially people who can't afford this.

But as long as you're alright Jack, eh?

I think a lot of people just hate preppers because preppers admit fear and do something about it, whereas in British society suppressing fear is the norm. We are all just a little scared of the zombie apocalypse really, but most push it out of their minds.

I think stockpilers here are just creating more wifework. Even non-perishable goods expire within a couple of years so you’d be constantly making sure you’re using up the older goods.

I don’t think a few extra tins would last long anyway, you’d need an American style baseman, like on Extreme Couponning.

*basement

Personally I've not forgotten this

fb.watch/7O0o8qDHyW/

We are all just a little scared of the zombie apocalypse really, but most push it out of their minds.

But if the zombies do come, extra tins won't be a comfort to me! 😆

@Goldbar

Yes. We can't get in the door for toilet rolls (have to climb through the window). We bought so many that they sent us the Andrex puppy as well so now we also need to stockpile dog food (DH has several cans under his pillow). We are keeping three live salmon in the bathtub in case the army welds us into the house, but DC has given them names so it's going to be difficult to DTD when the time comes. I have also bought up the entire online stock of Fortnum and Mason's Rose and Violet creams in case things get really bad... cost an arm and a leg but it's good to be prepared.

Brilliant! Gave me a much needed laugh especially naming the salmon and difficulty dtd.