Stockpiling Is A Way Of Life.

Over the last couple of years there has been a lot of talk on social media about stockpiling.  Just about every frugal / thrifty/ prepper YouTuber has multiple videos out saying " stock these 25 items NOW  !! " Or " Buy this NOW  !! "  If you listen to them all you'd be running to the supermarket to grab just about anything.

My advise is to stockpile slowly ( but not too slowly ),  surely and all year round.  Please don't wait until there is a shortage of something.  Don't wait until you see a news article about weather events or coming shortages.  Don't wait until you are running low on something.  You just never know what's around the corner and you can't predict growing conditions or worldwide sicknesses.

As a stockpiler of over 25 years,  I've been able to ride out the recent shortages with little to no disruptions to my monthly shopping trips.  If something's not on the supermarket shelf for a while,  that's ok.  I have plenty of backups.

Am I rich because I have a stockpile ?  NOPE  !!!  Up until recently our income was what the government considers a VERY low income.  Now we are considered low income. I've just made sure I looked out for the sales,  knew my prices and mostly bought ingredients.

Do we have a big home ?  NOPE  !!!  We live in a 15sq,  3 bedroom home with a carport ( no garage storing facilities ).  Even when our girls were living at home and in 2020 having 6 people and a cat living here,  we still had a very healthy stockpile.

Stockpiling is a way of life that looks after your family.  Nothing is more important.

While I don't post photos of my stockpile now, here are some old photos of items I've stocked up on.

One of my monthly shops from years ago

$1 each on clearance,

1/2 price and I dilute them

1/2 price and I dilute them

Laundry soap to make laundry powder

Knitting cotton 1/2 price to make dish cloths

1/2 price for casseroles only.

1/2 price and an everyday item.

Are you an long time stockpiler or a recent one ?

What's your strategy for keeping your stocks up ?

Links to previous stockpiling articles

Starting A Stockpile

Finding Room To Stockpile

Having A Well Stocked Pantry

10 Cheap Items To Stock Up On.

Christmas Stocking Stuffers for Teenage Girls / Women

 Filling a Christmas stocking doesn't have to be hard or expensive.  Work out your budget,  select the right sized stocking to fit your budget and wait for items to go on sale.

Here are some of the items I've put in stockings for my girls over the years.  As usual,  I don't put everything in every year.  It just depends on what their tastes are,  what's in fashion and what I can find for a very cheap price.

*  Shower gel - especially the well known brands when they are on sale

*  Compact mirrors - or any mirror for that matter

*  Fashion scarves if they wear them

*  Nail polish

*  Manicure sets

*  Hair ties or hair accessories

*  Coin purses

*  Travel makeup bags

*  Little packets of tissues ( great for handbags )

*  Body sprays

*  Sports socks

*  Makeup wipes

*  Flavoured teas

*  Post it notes

*  Magnetic shopping lists

*  Bubble bath or bath bombs

*  Shower caps

*  Nail files

*  Coffee cup

*  Water bottles

*  Small diary

*  Fancy soaps

What do you put in your Christmas stockings for teen girls or women ?

Christmas Stocking Stuffers For Teenage Boys / Men

 Christmas has certainly crept up this year.  Then again,  it's been a crazy year and we can be forgiven for having our minds on other things.

I've just gone through my present cupboard and started filling up the Christmas stockings for this year.  The men in our family are always a little harder to buy for so I thought I'd write this post to share my ideas and maybe get a few from you all.  Please share your stocking stuffer ideas in the comments section at the bottom of this post.

Here's what I've given to teenage boys and men in the past -

Shower gel

Disposable shavers / travel shaving kits

Chocolate

Giant biscuits / cookies

Deodorant

Cap / hat / beanie

Mixed nuts in a string bag

Gardening hand tools

Box of savoury biscuits.  Shapes biscuits are a hit in our family.

Bag of chips.  This really does bulk out a stocking

Coffee sticks

Coffee mug

Socks - novelty or otherwise

Blow up pool toys

BBQ / meat sauces or marinades

Dvds

Torches ,  shed lights or head lamps

Key rings

Of course I don't buy everything on the list each year.  Things are changed around depending on what I can find and what is on sale.    Many of the items are found in discount stores and on bargain tables.

What do you put in teenage boy / men's Christmas stockings ?

Planning For Christmas

At the Gower Abundant Cottage,  we love Christmas.  We love the tree,  the decorations,  the present wrapping and giving,  the food,  the carol singing but most of all,  taking time to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus.

None of these things happen by chance.  I'm not a last minute,  wrap the presents and plan the menu on Christmas Eve type of person.  Christmas Eve is when I sit back,  relax,  watch the Carols by Candlelight or maybe even walk to the Carols celebration nearby.  Infact,  most of December I sit back  relax and watch people go crazy trying to get everything organised.

As you know,  I'm a list writer and planner.  I shop all year round to make the most of the sales and to help keep my gift giving budget under control.

If you haven't started any Christmas planning,  now is the time to get moving.  Here's how to plan your Christmas celebrations

Presents -

*  Make a list of everyone you are buying for.
*  Set a dollar amount per person.
*  Review your list and cut back
*  Write down gift ideas for each person
*  Put the list in your purse / wallet
*  Start shopping now and look for ways to save a few dollars.
*  Make any presents you can
*  Make biscuit / cookie dough now and freeze into log sizes for future baking to give as presents.
*  Sew,  knit,  crochet or make presents when you get a few spare moments.
*  Check your wrapping paper,  gift tag and sticky tape supplies and buy what's needed
*  Wrap as you buy and put straight under the tree ( or hide them if needed )
*  Keep all receipts in a marked envelope in case of future returns.

Christmas Cards -

*  Write a list of people you'd like to give a card to.
*  Write a list of cards to be sent
*  Make or buy your cards
*  Buy the postage stamps to send the cards.
*  Write a few each night as you are watching tv.
*  Send any overseas cards by early December.

Christmas Menu -

*  Write a list of how many people might be coming.
*  Write out a menu for lunch and dinner that caters for the numbers coming.
*  Cut back a little on the food.  There's always too many leftovers
*  Ask family and friends to help out with the catering by bringing a plate.
*  Write a list for Christmas Eve treats and Boxing Day grazing
*  Start buying the meat ahead of time to freeze
*  Watch the supermarket catalogues for sale items especially snacks
*  Clean out your fridge

Christmas Decorating -

*  Dig out the Christmas tree and check for damage / wear.  Buy a new one NOW if needed.
*  Check your decorations.  Do you need to update or buy new ones ?
*  Decide on a color scheme.
*  Decide how you'll decorate your tables.  Have a look at what you already have on hand and use that first.
*  Wash the table cloths ready for use.  Do your table runners need a wash ?
*  Buy candles,  serviettes, cutlery,  paper plates and bon bons.
*  Check your extra tables / trestle tables for damage.  Do you need to buy a new one.  Give them a wipe over.
*  Declutter your home.

Color schemes for the tree

Table decorations using what I already had

Leftover decorations make great table displays

Decorating the house

Christmas Eve platter

Making my own gift tags.

Here are the links to other Christmas articles I've written

http://myabundantlife07.blogspot.com.au/2015/12/planning-christmas-menu-on-budget.html?showComment=1449714817844

http://myabundantlife07.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/christmas-presents-on-budget.html

http://myabundantlife07.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/christmas-table-decoration.html

http://myabundantlife07.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/christmas-stockings-for-whole-family.html

http://myabundantlife07.blogspot.com.au/2017/11/a-handmade-christmas.html

Are your Christmas plans under control ?

Filling A Christmas Stocking

Everyone in our family loves to open their Christmas stocking on Christmas morning.  It's been a tradition for our girls since they were early primary school age.  In recent years I thought I'd fill one for Darren and I and it was such a success we continued the tradition.  Darren didn't want to miss out on all the fun.

Filling a stocking doesn't have to cost a small fortune.  If you buy what retailers call a " stocking filler " then you could be spending thousands.  Really,  an ipad or aftershave hardly qualifies as a stocking filler unless you are the rich or famous.

Depending on our budget for the year,  our stocking goodies cost between $30 - $50 for each stocking.  If our budget is $30 then we use smaller stockings so they still look full.  We don't fill them with rubbish and try to put some useful things in as well as novelty.  I shop all year round to get some things on clearance and wait until the supermarkets have their toiletries on half price sales.  $2 shops and discount stores sell an array of goodies suitable for filling the stocking.

Here are some ideas for filling your Christmas stockings -

Something to wear

*  Socks - plain or character
*  Tshirt ( they are so cheap now )
*  Thongs footwear
*  Hat - cap,  beanie or sun visor
*  Scarves - Winter / Football / Spring type
*  Necklace
*  Men's neck tie
*  Hankies
*  Apron - kitchen or bbq
*  Bangles / bracelets
 

Something to eat

*  Lollies
*  Chocolate
*  Favourite breakfast cereal.  Maybe treat them to a sugary one
*  Nuts
*  Chips
*  Biscuits - sweet or savoury.  Store bought or homemade
*  Icecream topping
*  Marinades,  bbq type sauces
*  Chocolate share bag
*  Lolly stocking

Toiletries

*  Shower gel
*  Razors
*  Fancy soaps
*  Shower puffs / scrubby
*  Makeup
*  Makeup remover wipes
*  Bubble bath
*  Bath bombs
*  Tissues in little packets
*  Deodorant
*  Mirror - on stand or compact
*  Hair ties - pretty or in school colors
*  Nail files
*  Makeup brushes
*  Toiletry bags
*  Hair brushes or combs
*  Hair clips
*  Hair gel or hair products
*  Fancy shampoo / conditioner
*  Shower cap
     

Fun stuff

*  Glow sticks
*  Address books or diaries
*  Calendar
*  Dvds
*  Travel mugs
*  Torch - regular size or travel
*  Magazines
*  Ice cube trays - novelty
*  Water bottles
*  Candles
*  Stationery - post it notes,  sticky tape and scissors ( if they pinch yours )
*  Lego - small box
*  Purse / Wallet
*  Key chains
*  Coffee cup
*  Phone charger / cord
*  Ear phones / head phones
*  Board games - full sized or travel
*  Slinkies
*  Cookie cutters
*  Garden hand tools
*  Veggie seeds
*  Craft items - for young and old
*  Bubbles
*  Tennis balls
*  Golf balls
*  Deck of cards

What do you like to put in your Christmas stockings ?  

Have you found something that worked really well ?     

Christmas Stockings For The Whole Family

About five years ago I started giving my girls Christmas stockings with bits and pieces and little treats in them.  This was in addition to their other presents they received from Darren and I.  Although we've never done the Santa thing in our home we do call the stockings " Santa Sacks " mainly because they are red.

Two years after the beginning of the Santa sacks I thought it might be fun for Darren and I to get a Santa Sack each.  With trepidation I bought treats throughout the year for both of us with Darren buying a few surprises for me.  After opening them on Christmas morning I asked Darren if he'd like to do them the following year.  Let's just say he was very excited about the idea and a new family tradition was born.

The size of the Santa sacks or Christmas stockings depends on your budget and the size of the treats you put in them.  I originally started off with small stockings because we were on a limited budget and I bought the treats from the $2 shop.

We graduated to large Santa Sacks to fit in a box of cereal and chips etc.  Last year our budget was tight again so I made up some Christmas stockings from a material panel bought at Spotlight the previous year for $1 a stocking.  It's handy to have a few options and sizes depending on your budget. You don't want a sad looking half empty sack under the tree when a smaller bulging stocking would look the part

Here are some photos of the stockings and sacks we use -

The first two photos are of stockings suitable for lollies

Large Santa sacks

Christmas stockings I made from material panels bought at Spotlight for $1 a stocking.

If money is really tight,  a colorful pillow case would make a wonderful Santa sack.  If you can sew,  a couple of pieces of Christmas material bought on sale before Christmas or at the Boxing Day sales will make a very cheap sack / stocking.


To fill the sack / stocking,  I shop all year round to get the best prices and to make my dollars stretch further.  I check clearance tables in department stores,  op shops,  supermarkets in February / March for stationery clearance sales and  shop the Boxing Day sales.  I also check the shops after Grand Final Day for novelty items, and lollies / chocolates.  Easter Sunday and the following few days are a great time to buy all sort of chocolates and Lindt bunnies and half price.

Checking the supermarket catalogues all year round for half price toiletries and lollies will save you a small fortune.

Here's a list of items I've included over the years depending on the age of my girls and the bargains I can find -

Shower Gel - they tell me their favourites
Razors
Little packets of tissues
Hand sanitiser
Hair ties and clips
Packet of chips
Packet of lollies
Box of fancy cereal
Novelty stationery - note pads,  post it notes,  erasers etc etc
Gel pens
Sticky tape - because they are always borrowing mine
Face washers I fancied up - they asked for them
Drink bottles
Bag of share size chocolates
Mini torch
Colorful sports socks
Thongs
Imitation Van sneakers bought in Big W for $4 ( they were a hit )
Travel mug
Glow sticks
Magazines ( sometimes from the op shop )
Deodorants

For Darren and I I've included -

Bags of mixed nuts in shells for Darren
Flavoured cashews ( and plain )
Lindt balls
Colored socks for Darren
Box of fancy cereal if requested
Chocolate and lots of it ( we are easy to please )
Cookie cutters
Shower gels
Scented candles
Craft supplies
Veggie seeds and garden supplies mostly for Darren
Travel mugs
Lynx deod for Darren
BBQ sauces
Packet of chips
Packet of lollies

I've been able to fill a Santa Sack / stocking on a budget of $30,  $40 or $50 depending on how our budget is travelling.  If you are starting out for the first time or your budget is tight,  have a look in your local $2 shop  or op shop.  $10 or $20 could buy a handful of wonderful treats.