June 2010

Could you please write a post on what we can do with all of these extra bottles of shampoo, etc., that we get? It’s more than my husband and I can use. Can you please offer suggestions for what you do with all the excess? Thank you. -Leigh Ann

First off, I’m not a big proponent of buying stuff you don’t need — especially if you don’t have a plan for what you’re going to do with it or can’t afford it. I’m all about buying extras of things we’ll need and use when they are at their lowest prices, but I also think you need to determine when enough is enough and stick with that.

Being a wise steward of your resources is not just about clipping coupons and getting the best deal, it’s also about using your time and money in a way that you get the best return on your investment.

I’m not sure where your excess is coming from, but if you’re just buying stuff because it’s cheap and you already have more than you need, I’d suggest you scale back on your bargain-shopping for awhile. Really, it’s perfectly okay to take a break every now and then. In fact, I usually take at least 4-6 weeks each year when I don’t clip a single coupon from the newspaper inserts.

However, let me be clear that I’m not saying it’s wrong to have extra shampoo bottles on hand. You need to evaluate what works for your family.

Maybe for you, being strategic about shopping involves buying stuff you don’t need or won’t use so that you can reduce the expenses of things you do need and use. Or, maybe you have the time and energy to buy extra things which are free or almost-free in order to share with others.

If that’s the case, or if you just have a bunch of extra toiletries accumulated which you’d like to find a home for, here are some ideas:

::Make Gift Baskets

Ever thought about using some of your stockpile for birthday, Christmas and shower gifts? For the right kind of person, it’s a perfect gift!

Basic Cleaning Essentials Basket

You could put together a Basic Cleaning Essentials Basket with cleaners and sponges for a new bride. Stick it all in a bucket from the Dollar Store and add some rubber gloves and you have a very inexpensive and practical gift.

Laundry Basket

What new bride wouldn’t love a laundry basket filled with laundry detergent and stain removers?

New Baby Gift Basket

Put some diapers, wipes and baby lotions or soaps in a cute basket with a baby blanket and you’ve got a great gift for an upcoming baby shower.

Really and truly, the possibilities are practically endless when it comes to gift baskets. And if you use mostly items from your stockpile and purchase any additional items needed at the Dollar Store, you’ll likely be able to put together some really nice gift baskets for under $5! For more gift basket ideas, check out Idea Queen.

::Share With the Needy

There are so many different needs you can meet right in your local community when you have extra food and toiletries to give away. Homeless shelters, nursing homes, church food pantries and local food drives, are great places to consider.

In addition, look for people you personally know who are going through a tough time and consider sharing from your abundance with them. If you think they might be embarrassed for you to physically drop by a sack of groceries, then consider doing it anonymously.

::Send a Package to a Soldier

Check out AnySoldier for a list of what soldiers on the field need and want. You can click through the names and choose who you’d like to send a care package to based upon items you may already have in your stockpile. This is a great way to support those who are putting themselves in harm’s way for our protection and freedom.

Those are just a few of my ideas. I’d love to hear from the rest of you: what creative ideas do you have for using your stockpile to bless others?

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