Food stockpiler says it’s not ‘greedy’ to take advantage of mark downs at Woolworths and Coles

Desperate families are hoarding discounted groceries as inflation soars and meat and vegetable prices go through the roof – with one mum admitting she is proud of her husband’s effort in stacking their ‘doomsday’ pantry.

The budget-savvy mums and dads have posted huge grocery hauls online and shown off their impressive pantries, laundry cupboards and chest freezers – with many agreeing the drastic stockpiling measures are called for.

‘I’m proud of my husband. He’s been doing such a great job with our doomsday pantry. Well, really it’s just a money saving pantry,’ one of the proud mums said.

Families are showing off their ‘dooms day’ pantries as they begin to stress about soaring inflation and the cost of living

Some admit to buying stacks of discounted meat to save money at the checkout

While others stock up on cleaning essentials every time they are marked down

Some admit to buying stacks of discounted meat to save money at the checkout while others stock up on cleaning essentials every time they are marked down

‘We’ve got so much stock now that we’re bound to be good for the next few months. Almost everything was bought on special. I’m so lucky to have such a frugal family,’ she boasted.

Poll

Have you started stockpiling sale items?

  • Starting? I always have! 6 votes
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  • No, that’s greedy. 5 votes

These posts typically attract condemnation and calls to ban grocery hoarding but it appeared most people have finally come together on the same page.

‘This is amazing, well done. I thought I had a good reserve but I only have a few weeks worth of food,’ one woman said.

One self-titled ‘professional stockpiler’ has publicly spoken out against the few critics who slam frugal families for buying in bulk.

Wendy Gower, who runs the My Abundant Life blog and Faceook Page told News critics should mind their tongues and avoid labeling hoarders as greedy or selfish for snapping up good deals. 

‘They are wise for looking after their family and budget,’ the mum-of-two said.

Ms Gower became thrifty after living below the government’s low income line for many years, she explained.

And the lessons served her well when she finally did earn a good income as she was able to pay off her mortgage and a new car in just five years.

 ‘We keep our grocery bill low by keeping a healthy stockpile, cooking all meals from scratch, baking biscuits, muffins, cakes and other treats, baking our own bread, growing some fruit and vegetables in our backyard, eating seasonally, buying ingredients, buying generic brands and looking for. Our meals are tasty, simple and filling,’ she explained.

And others agreed – with one woman revealing laundry and bathroom supplies were her top priority.

She shared a picture of her broom closet which shows an ample supply of dishwashing liquid, deodorant and other cleaning supplies.

‘When the product I like is on a good special I buy up as many as I can, sometimes enough for a year,’ she said.

Many people looked to have a calculated approach to their hoarding while others were purely opportunistic.

‘My husband saw all of this meat in the sale fridge, the mark downs were crazy so I told him to get the lot,’ one mm revealed.

But this triggered some people.

‘Hoarding is fine in the current climate but it is good manners to leave some for others, never clear the shelf unless there’s only one or two left when you get there,’ one woman said.

‘Yea, someone could really need those $1 chicken wings to get their family through the week – leave some for them too,’ a man added.

This hoarder was impressed with their meat section after picking up all of this for less than $30

This hoarder was impressed with their meat section after picking up all of this for less than $30

Others showed off impressive stacks of meat - before being reminded it is good manners to leave some on the shelf in tough times

Others showed off impressive stacks of meat – before being reminded it is good manners to leave some on the shelf in tough times

Panic buying became the ‘new normal’ during the Covid 19 pandemic when supermarkets around the world were stripped of basic necessities like toilet paper and canned food.

Each time there has been a spike in cases or threats of strict lock downs supermarkets have been forced to place strict limits on their customers.

While a core part of the population called out hoarders for making life more difficult for everyone else. 

But now, with soaring inflation, people believe they have no choice but to cut corners where they can.

Some families revealed they have enough food to 'last a few months' should anything happen to their income

Some families revealed they have enough food to ‘last a few months’ should anything happen to their income

‘If it is something I use and it is offered at a discount I get it. I can’t afford to feed my family well otherwise,’ one woman said.

This comes as fresh produce prices have skyrocketed – sending waves of hysteria through the community.

Even people with high-paying jobs have felt the pinch.

On Thursday an immigration lawyer’s TikTok went viral when she realised snow peas would set her back $42.80 per kilo – despite being in season and typically retailing for $6 per kilo.

The snow pea shock is the latest in a string of produce price hikes impacting lettuce, broccoli, cucumbers, Asian greens and capsicum. 

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