I read a book called The Year of Less by Cait Flanders in August 2018. I’ve just gone to read all my highlights on Goodreads (19 of them!) and now I think I need to re-read the book š
But that’s not what I came here to tell you about today.
When I originally read the book, I remember one piece very vividly, the section on stockpiling toiletries.
It completely changed how I think about things now.
Many people (I daresay, 98% of you reading this post) buy extra toiletries when they’re on sale. The sales captivate us all – 3 for the price of 2, the summer/ winter sale, and so on.
In the book, she asks us to consider how long specific items take to use up and how long you really need to keep spares.
Stockpiling is not great for at least 4 reasons:
1. it wastes money
if your money is held up in “stock”, it is not available as cash (remember Accounting in high school?). I prefer to have the cash rather than bottles of shampoo, conditioner or similar. Yes, I’m aware that the prices of things have increased (especially in South Africa due to loadshedding) but I would still rather have cash in the bank than two extra speedsticks in my bathroom vanity.
2. it is clutterĀ
This one is fairly obvious. Stuff you have and that you need to store because you’re not using is called clutter.
3. waste of productĀ
if you buy 3 products, they might go old before you can actually use them (this has happened to me once with speedstick deodorants)
4. most of the world lives about 5 minutes from a store
and now… there’s online delivery too. If you run out, I promise you it will be a 5-minute detour to get what you need and for most of us, you will know beforehand that you’re going to run out in a few days.
A personal example
I use Olay day moisturising liquid (with SPF!). One bottle lasts 6 months. Given that there are often sales, it used to be tempting to buy extra but I am no longer tempted. Why? I can tell that I’ll run out within a week or two both because of the weight of the bottle and the fact that I write the date on the bottle with a permanent marker when I start using a new bottle.
But also, it just makes no sense to buy 18 months’ worth of product on a buy 3 for the price of 2 sale. What if they change the formula or make a pretty new bottle or (I don’t think this will happen but…) I want to try something new but I’m stuck using the old stuff for 18 long months.
Upholders love self-imposed rules
- I willĀ keep one spare speedstick deodorant in summer because the consequences are immediate if I run out (!)
- I do buy the 3 for 2 shampoos because 1 bottle of the brand I use lasts me just under 2 months
- Keeping a travel toiletry bag stocked is not stockpiling because it actually saves me so much time when I travel for work or pleasure. I’m on holiday now and I will have to replenish some items (on my list!) once I get back home.
In the 17 years of writing this blog, I have still not managed to convince people to stop stockpiling toilet paper. I personally don’t get this obsession as in my house, I “budget” on about 5 days per toilet roll per bathroom, so I know how long we can go before stocking up.
My goal is not to change your mind but I do want you to consciously know that:
- that is actual money in your cupboards
- money you can never recoup
- and you’re probably going to take years to go through your backstock š
- also, you don’t need to take hotel toiletries with you (I only take bottles that I deem perfect in function or form, or if the fragrances are particularly compelling)
Tell me, where are you on the stockpiling spectrum?Ā
I didn’t want to go there but I will say that a certain very popular Netflix show and Instagram account has made it very appealing to have lots of backstock in clear perspex containers. Why?
