Hoarding or helpful?

When I first saw the show "Extreme Couponing" I laughed when at the bottom of the screen it said something about the upcoming Hoarders show and said "if you or someone you know has a problem with hoarding..." :) I found that comical. It showed up right as someone was showing off their stock pile room. And by room I mean WALL TO WALL, floor to ceiling products EVERYWHERE!

There was an even an episode last week with 2 sisters that have the BIGGEST collection of diapers-AND THEY DO NOT HAVE KIDS! Whoa. Yea, extreme? Well, maybe to me but not for them.

I've decided not to be judgmental about what people have in their stock pile or where they chose to keep it. It's ALL up to them. It's kinda like thinking a couple shouldn't be dating--we may think it, but it REALLLLY doesn't matter WHAT we think.



So is having a stock pile a form of hoarding? or is it helpful?



Let's weigh this...



*If your stock pile prevents your kids from having room to play, thats HURTFUL.

*If your stock pile consumes all of your time, energy and money, its HURTFUL.

*If your stock pile requires you to increase your home insurance, it's HURTFUL.



THESE ARE JUST MY OPINIONS!



But if you have a stockpile that's NOT in any ones way, contains items that you need AND will use then I think thats helful.

If you are buying items at next to nothing prices and you would have bought them anyway, that s HELPFUL!



Sure there are plenty of other scenarios to debate but i don't have time for all of that. I just don't think its fair for people to call those with stock piles 'hoarders'. I have a lot of detergent, tp, toothpaste, paper towels, shampoo... all items we NEED, will USE, and that will not expire. They also are in a safe place and not in any ones way. I think i'm helping my family.



If I am saving my family money and allowing us to have other money to put towards saving, college, retirement, etc... then I see no problem with it.



In the past 3 months of couponing I have saved my family over $392 dollars. (I did the math) That's HUGE!!!!!!!!



What about you? You feel good about your progress? Where are you at on this issue?