Build your stockpile (with a downloadable list!)

Following on from my last post, a few people asked for a bit more information about how I use my folder. One of the things my household folder helps me with is my stockpile. A stockpile is simply an accumulated stock of household goods or materials.

This is part of my current cleaning stockpile.

When I first started reading about stockpiling I thought it was a brilliant idea. And then I had my "duh" moment when I realised that my mom (and a whole lot of Zimbabweans for that matter...) had been doing it for years. (Another story for another day.) I honestly don't why it took me so long to do. Stockpiling can save you money, save you from doing multiple shopping trips, help you to bless someone in need and just come in handy should an emergency happen. I guess the only down side of having a stockpile is that it does take up space, which is something we don't have a lot of in the UK. 

You can start as small or as big as you like. It really is quite flexible as there are no hard and fast rules. I've included a basic Stockpile list that you can download here in PDF format or here in Word format. Let me know if you do use it! 

When I started building my stockpile I looked out for deals. Tesco runs these promotions from time to time where you can pick up a whole lot of bleach for example. If you can't buy your stockpile in one go, then put aside say £20 a month that you can use each time you see something you want to add to your pile. That way it's not as taxing on the pocket. 

Another way to do it is to shop at a wholesaler like Makro or Costco. In the UK you need to pay for membership at Costco and you need to be self employed to shop at Makro. Google wholesalers and you will find a there are a fair few online who are quite happy to delivery directly to your door. 

If you decide to buy big consider splitting it up with friends. It could work out to be cheaper for all of you whilst getting you the best price possible.

I hope that helps you a bit. Let me know if you do decide to start stockpiling. Those extra pounds saved could help buy something you really want!

Shorter.

My Household Binder

I like order. I love chaos. It's the creative side of me. I know if I was living on my own then the chaos would rule but alas I have a little one to mentor and a husband who likes orderly things. And for other reasons, it's just the right thing to be more orderly. So at the end of 2012 I sat down and set about my goals for this year. I'll speak more about it in a future post but one of the things I decided to do was be more organised in my home. To help me with this I got myself a Household Binder. 

Here she is. Ain't she pretty?

Now in case you've never heard of a household binder, it is simply a tool that holds important information that will help you run your own home more effectively. And like any tool is is only as useful as you use it. I bought my current pages (electronic format then printed them at home for myself) from Etsy. A shop called iheartorganizing. The lady who owns it is American and has a fabulous blog. In fact if you would like to know more about household binders the American ladies have been doing this for ages it seems. Just google household binders and you will find a wealth of information. 

My binder was customised. This is my front page. I just love the colours!

My binder has 29 customised pages which include:-

* Monthly Finance Checklist
* Monthly Budget Worksheets

* Travel Checklist
* Babysitter Notes
* Pet Sitter Notes
* Contacts

* Shopping List
* Meal Planning Calendar
* Freezer Inventory
* Fridge Inventory
* Pantry Inventory

* Important Dates Chart
* Gift Giving Budget Tracker
* Party Planning Checklist

* Media Inventory 
* Library System Tracker

* Blog To Do Checklist
* Password Log

* Home Maintenance Checklist
* Home To Do Checklist
* Cleaning Checklist
* Automotive Maintenance Log
* Important Home Information Worksheets

This is my own stockpile list. It didn't come with the one I bought.

I got this cheat sheet from one of the numerous free printables online. Fabulous reference to have.

* 12 Month Calendar
* Daily Goals 
* Week at a Glance Calendar
* Task Checklist
* Family Outings Idea List

I need to hurry up and start filling in my April dates cause it's a busy month!

Great place to store this information rather than digging through piles of paperwork.

Very helpful, especially for Christmas.

It is extremely helpful and it's really made a difference in managing my time more effectively. However as I've grown to know what works me and what doesn't I think I might be designed my own even more customised household binder soon. But until that point this one will do just perfectly. 

Is this something you would use? How do you keep your home organised?

Shorter.