These are amazing posts! I admit, it took me a few minutes to try and figure out what HBA was, but I think I figured out it was "health and beauty aids", right? Okay, for me that means razors, shave gels and shampoo! LOL! Oh, and Nyquil because there was a great coopin in the paper a few weeks ago for that.

What I am noticing is that many of you are struggling like so many others in our nation. I think it's really hard on military members, especially, because of the possibility of deployments, moves and the fact that many families only have one person working with the other spouse a stay at home mom/dad. It is imperative for you to save as much as possible, but I can honestly say I have noticed that in your frugality, you are leaving space for charity also.

From Operation Christmas Child (my church in Alaska is the drop point for that organization as my pastor is on their Board of Directors and my Cub Scouts help with donations every year), to local food shelters to students, the amount of charity and generosity in your posts have been so inspiring. Goodness starts at home, but I can see that many of you have extended your "home" to include your community. I feel very proud because of all of you.

For those of you stockpiling for the "lean" times, I think you have figured out what exactly the notion of stockpiling is for--those who fail to plan will plan to fail. Just as one post said, he knows he will be laid off work and has a household to support so he stockpiles in advance of that time. That is a smart plan. My husband and I have been blessed with relatively secure jobs and, to the best of our knowledge, it doesn't appear to be changing on the horizon. But I do feel I need to heed the words of advice from all of you and be prepared for the unexpected. Using my coopins helps me with that.

Thanks again!

I stockpile according to an anticipated need. I have been Qing since October and have accumilated quite a nice stockpile. It could last 3-4 months, if needed. I see all the Q's that are coming out decide how many I want order then wait for a great sale. I anticipated fellow Qer's to go crazy over the $3 gain fabric softner, So I just bought 20 papers $0.75 each. I have 2400 fabric softner sheets. wow thats alot, but they dont go bad. I'm sure someone one will raid a few boxes. But the cost was $19.40. Each fabric softner sheet cost $0.008083 they would have cost if I paid full price $79.40 or $0.033 each. I vowed never to pay full price for anything ever again. I don't donate to a food pantry, I give generously to anyone that needs something. I never ask for anything in return but most donate to my Q fund. If they only new most of it cost me nothing

I know right! but the worst part is i will give them a list with coupons and match ups and they still wont do it! I think g-ma just doesnt want to go out lol! but its got to the point where i want to tell her and show her new stockpile additions but i dont because i know she will take everything i have!

I have a small stockpile, 1-2 months on some things 6-9 months on others.

non food items i try to hold on to about a year supply when i see myself getting to 2 to 3 month supply left i start looking for sales food i have a harder time stocking up on but i do have a few items, not many, but the experation dates are nice and long so i'm not worried about them going bad. food stockpiling is the hardest thing for me so having too much is kind of a non issue for us right now maybe if i got more organized i would do better but right now with baby brain and # 3 due in the summer i don't see that happening anytime sool lol

http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/jenjenholley

awww...grats! i love babies. well i better...i've got 4 hehe