Stock Up or Hold on To Cash?

This is one of those where there are very valid points on both sides of the argument! She is right if they are really things that will be needed and she got them at an exceptional price stocking up isn't a bad idea. However, if they were things that could wait or were not necessary and could be cut along with the budget cuts you should hold on to cash. That's a good idea too....

i actually agree with both of you because i have lived through a number of layoffs (the last one ended of june last year - hubby was off for 9 months) we typically dont stock up perse, unless there is a great sale but saving for a rainy day (and retirement) is necessary!

There are positives on each side. I would make sure I had a buying club membership, and buy store brand household things there. Neither hubby nor I are working. He has some Social Security, he took it early to help in this situation. I have unemployment. We have a small income from some rent. With costs going up all the time, dollars you spend now will buy you more than they will in three months. I make things that I can instead of buying them. I even have been making my own laundry soap. Mistakes I made in the past in this situation when I was younger was that I began to buy anything that was cheap, because I was afraid of being without. Do not sacrifice quality, but do not be a fanatic about name brands.

Hi Thedaddym, This is a tough one. You didn't say what types of items she was stocking up on. You did say they were things that you use regularly and that she got them at a good price. I think you are both right and it is a matter of just balancing the two concepts here. Like toilet paper...you are going to need it even when you get laid off. If she bought it now at a great price then technically, that is going to help you save cash in the future. right? You are right too..you want to stock up on any extra cash you possibly can also. I would just say that if the items your wife bought ahead are items that you definitely will be needing and they really were at a great price then she did the right thing.

IF it was stuff you always use and she got it on sale...she did the right thing to stock up. Get it while the price is cheapest. Later, it will go up and no income, you won't be able to afford it. or at least not to often. I have lived that way for 33 years...and have found...it is better to stock up on things while you have the money...necessities only...and just stash it away. Don't even use it until you are layed off. Then you'll have things you need. I do this even with underwear, socks, makeup, hair supplies etc. Anything that has a long shelf life. It is better this way as it ieven make you feel better...you need underwear and you are not working, and have to go get it out of savings....or pull a package from the closet and leave your savings alone. You'll also see that in your grocery at least...you will see yourself spending less each week, as you already have lot of stuff....just be smart and make it work and dont' think you have "plenty, we can be leanient this meal".

This is a problem in two aspects, in fact, you are all correct. From my personal experience, I support your wife's point of view, because it would be more interest.

Your wife is right but to a certain degree. It's wise to stock up but it is wiser to limit your use on those stocks. Since she got those goods at a good price, that already is a good way in saving money. But you have to be careful in using those stocks since it's hard getting a job these days.

I think You're both right in this situation..You're looking at things from the "Keep it for a rainy Day" perspective,while She's looking at your situation from a "Make hay while the sun shines" viewpoint..You should have something put by for necessities when the time comes around,but having provisions stored,especially when you can get them for a good price,seems like good planning..Waiting for the Axe to fall must be stressful when You know it's coming,but Hopefully you can get another Job lined up so you'll not be in this situation for long..Good Luck!

I see your point but I see hers too. She wants to be sure you have those things when you are laid off, she also wants to make sure that she does not have to go and pay full price for them when she needs them therefore costing extra money. By having a cushion of these items she will not be forced to pay a high price for them. When she sees you are almost out she can start watching for sales rather than having to go out and pay full price. I hope this makes sense.

I agree with your wife. if there is something that you always use then it makes sense to stock up on it when it is at a good price and so in a sense your saving money. If you buy them later on when you need them then they could be more expensive and so you will not manage to save as much money.

I agree with your wife. The reason is because now that she knows you're fin to get laid off she feel that it may be a long time before shes able to stock up again. If you are still known to have your job then I think she wouldn't have a problem with this factor. Some people try to save for hard times before its too late, then you want have none of it at all if nobody has no money to get it. Right now I see that times are getting more hard and people don't have the money to buy anything unless they have a steady job. Its too many people without jobs right now. I hope you and your wife the best that you all can work things out without having conflict. This is not the hardest we'll see. I'm not saying you're wrong its just due to the lack of not having any money is the problem without jobs.

I will stock up on things if I can get a really good deal it is usually things that will not go bad like Shampoos and bath type items. If I have a really good coupon I will do it. I will hold on to the coupon and see if things will go on sale also. I don't stock up on food as much because we may not eat them. I will usually go to target and stock up on the bath items as they except more of my coupons. I usually save on average of $20 when I do this. So I would say stock up on necities and the fun stuff like fruit cups that are expensive I would save the money.

Both of you have a point actually. Stock up is good because you will have an ease of mind knowing all the things you need already there. And if it come in cheap when buying a lot, it is good and actually you save some money. A cash in hands is a need too. You never know what might come up. And sometimes when the things are not as we expected, extra cash in hand does help a lot. And sometimes those stocked item are not used as we use to use it.

I think it is depends on what you wife is going to stock up. As you said, you wife want to buy something that you use very often. Are they consumable or? If they are consumable and you need to buy it very often, I think you wife is doing the right thing because discount not happens all the time. But if those things are not consumable and you buy them occasionally, I think it not a good idea to stock up those things and hold on to cash is a better idea.