Building a stock pile of goods - storage question?

mossy

Hi everyone

I am currently studying part time at University, but in two years time I will have to leave my job and study the last year full time.

I am going to start building up a stock pile ready for the year of no money lol. I've started a list, things like washing liquid, toiletries, dishwasher tablets, cleaning products. Basically just about anything that we use that isn't food.

I am thinking of storing everything up in the loft. It is floored and insulted. What do people think? Will the liquids be okay up there or will they go 'funny' in the heat/cold?

If you store similar things, how and where do you store them?

Thanks in advance. :money:

GreyQueen

Hi mossy, I don't know about DW tablets as don't have a DW, but many detergents, inc washing powder and liquid and w.u.l, have a finite life. They shouldn't be too bothered by the climatic conditions of the loft, but I am a bit concerned that if you store things on a 2-3 year time scale, they could have lost their potency by the time you come to use them.

I checked my latest box of washing powder and it does have a BB date - 16 months on from the purchase date.

You can happily stockpile TP, as long as you can keep it dry and vermin won't get into it and use if for nesting materials. HTH.

Mojisola

mossy wrote: »

I am currently studying part time at University, but in two years time I will have to leave my job and study the last year full time.

I am going to start building up a stock pile ready for the year of no money lol.

Why are you buying in advance and not just saving money for that year?

mossy

Thanks Greyqueen. It's a fair question Mojisola, I thought about it and decided it would be easier to buy things when they are on offer or store the other buy one get one free item to help me build things up.

I am fairly good at ring fencing money, but it's still easy to end up spending the money where as if I have stuff up in the loft it can sit up there until I need it and I can feel 'very pleased with myself' when I need to go to the 'loft shop' and know that it won't cost me anything at all.

HOWMUCH

When my daughter was at Uni I would buy things and put them in her room during the year and when we went down I would take them. I also bought tinned stuff and jars, checking the used by date, but we all know you can use them so long as the tin is not blown. Write the date on things what you are using now, this way you will know long an item lasts you. This way you will know how many you need to last you during the year at Uni. I would put money aside to be honest, but if you think you may use it then I understand where you're coming from. Good luck which ever you do.

grunnie

Soap powder goes into one solid clump if it gets damp. Dish washer tablets - the plastic looking pillow ones all stick together and burst if you try and pull them apart. ( Do not ask how I know this) so the washing version would be the same. Washing up liquid goes cloudy when it is stored somewhere cold just like olive oil does - it doesn't damage it but it looks funny. I don't think you need to stockpile stuff just save the pennies and shop in Aldi Lidl or Home Bargains B&M stores or the £ shop.

clickerty-click

How about saving the money by putting it on a gift card?

VfM4meplse

mossy wrote: »

If you store similar things, how and where do you store them?

My shed. But only because I need regular access to a pipe under my sink, and my boxes of Calgon were obstructing it.

Mr_Singleton

clickerty-click wrote: »

How about saving the money by putting it on a gift card?

What happens if the shop/scheme goes bust or you want to buy something from another non-participating shop? Put the money in the bank so YOU earn the interest rather than the shop.

mumf

Mojisola wrote: »

Why are you buying in advance and not just saving money for that year?

By buying now, money will be saved. Even though inflation is low prices of goods will increase. The percentage saved will be far greater than anything given in interest in a saving account. If you are definitely going to use these items then it is very cost effective.

Mojisola

mumf wrote: »

By buying now, money will be saved. Even though inflation is low prices of goods will increase. The percentage saved will be far greater than anything given in interest in a saving account. If you are definitely going to use these items then it is very cost effective.

That's the important bit - as long as none of the things you buy in advance go off or you just don't use them (and you have plenty of storage room), you can save some money.

I buy some things that we use regularly when they are on special offer and then don't need to buy them for months but I'd rather have the flexibility of cash than have a year's supply of a lot of goods stored in the loft or shed.