Creating A Stockpile Cupboard

Something that we have found to be so helpful in our family is a stockpile cupboard. We've only recently begun one, and already we are seeing the many benefits of it! 

I was inspired by another blogger (I can't even remember who now), so the idea is not my own. She began by saying that a stockpile cupboard can be any cupboard anywhere in your home and is used to prepare for times when things can be more financially lenient. 

There are a couple of ways that you can begin a stockpile cupboard of your own. We began by using a small amount of cash from my husbands income when e had a week of quite a bit of over-time. I stocked up on non-perishable items that we frequently use in our home. So, on any given week, if my husband has a smaller pay, or if we have more bills than usual, we should have food/cleaning items on hand, without a big grocery expense for that week. 

I began by purchasing ... 

Cleaning Items ...

• toilet paper
• paper towels
• dishcloths (although I recently brought two crotchet dishcloths from an op-shop for $1.00 each, and they are fantastic!)
• toilet cleaner
• white vinegar
• dish washing liquid
• glen 20
• glad wrap, alfoil and \baking paper
• washing powder
• pre-stain remover
• tissues
• napkins
• toothpaste
• shampoo and conditioner
• soap

 Food Items ...

• tomato Soup
• crushed garlic
• baked beans
• aoli
• mayonnaise
• tuna
• corn and beetroot
• coffee
• tea
• spreads (jam, Vegemite, peanut butter)
• vanilla essence
• long-life milk and custard (just in case)
• sauces (BBQ, tomato, sweet chili)
• soy sauce
• olive oil

I find that these items are regularly used in my home and kitchen, so having them on hand is very helpful. It's also nice to know that if a family is struggling for whatever reason, we can put together a little hamper for them from our stock pile and add some fresh veggies from the garden and some fresh eggs from the girls! It's a small way to bless others!

We keep track of our stockpile items by using an extremely complicated method ... pieces of paper masking taped to the inside of the cupboard door! The cupboard is actually in my husbands and my walk-in wardrobe! We write each item on the paper when we purchase some at shopping, and add a tally mark next to the item, then simply cross off a tally mark when an item is taken out. Very easy! The kids are actually the ones who add the items in and on the list, as they really enjoy it, and they get to cross the items off too! Lots of lessons learnt there! 

I know that stockpiling is not a new thing by any means, but it is new to us, and we are finding that it's saving stress and money; and allowing us to bless others when needed too!

How do you set up your stockpile? We would eventually like to invest in a chest freezer to be able to stockpile meat and breads etc. in that too! Do you have any tips for stockpile 'beginners'?! Would a stockpile be something you could use if you don't already?

Blessing to you this week!

(Linking up with Amaze Me Mondays)