Have you developed or increased any hoarding tendencies since living through covid-19-related shortages?

[OlderAndWiser]

Many decades ago, I did not manage my money very well and occasionally had spells where I barely had enough cash flow to satisfy my monthly expenses. I was afraid of running out of essential items and not having funds to purchase more, so I started buying "extras" to keep in stock when I had the funds available (like the squirrels saving up acorns for the coming winter.) I usually have two or three boxes of macaroni and spaghetti instead of one each, a dozen cans of mushrooms, etc., a 12-pack of paper towels, three bottles of laundry detergent, four bottles of shampoo, etc. Covid-19 did not really change my behavior as I never ran out of any essentials when the grocery store shelves were empty. While some may view my hoarding as maladaptive, pathological, or an OCD behavior, it was quite functional and adaptive during the pandemic.

This looks like a very well-stocked pantry, but it is not MY pantry!

Did covid-19 change your behavior? Do you now keep more paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, etc. on hand than you did before the pandemic began?

100% not a hoarder before covid-19, 100% not a hoarder after covid-19

I was not a hoarder before covid-19 but have started hoarding a few types of items since covid-19

I was not a hoarder before covid-19 but have started hoarding many items since covid-19

I was not a hoarder before covid-19 but have started hoarding almost everything since covid-19

I was a hoarder before covid-19 but have not increased my hoarding since covid-19

I was a hoarder before covid-19 and have somewhat increased my hoarding since covid-19

I was a hoarder before covid-19 and have significantly increased my hoarding since covid-19

[SaoirseS]

I don't quite know how to answer this one. I've long been in the habit of buying 2-3 of some items each visit to the grocery, mostly non-perishable goods when they're on sale. I've also been in the habit of buying things like toilet paper, paper towels, soap, cleaning supplies, etc. in bulk for both business and personal use because it's cheaper that way and so we'll have it when needed. With three facilities, we go through supplies pretty quickly. When the pandemic started, people started panic buying and emptying the shelves but we were in pretty good shape - at first. One thing I learned during the shortages is that counting on the honor system (use what you need, leave the rest for others) went out the window. People started showing up with oversize purses and backpacks, and I found that leaving spare rolls of toilet paper, pads, and tampons in restrooms was no longer a good idea. I was in the habit of making sure there were at least four or five spare rolls of toilet paper in each restroom cabinet, only to discover people were walking off with them. Some were even taking the rolls off the spindle. Anyone who knows me knows my intolerance for thieves borders on clinical, and it drove me nuts. Fortunately we didn't run out, but I was close to the point of rationing toilet paper and papers towels - if you need it stop by the office and I'll give you six sheets of toilet paper and two paper towels.

[SaoirseS]

Thanks for MHO!

[sage2021]

No, no hoarding over here. I don't have any room to store anything but what I have on hand.
However, when my local market started rationing Farmer John 🥓 bacon then said they didn't know when they were going to get another shipment - that's when I drew the line. I bought at least 8 pks. of my favorite bacon. Gotta have my bacon.

[OlderAndWiser]

I have 10 pounds of bacon in my freezer. I understand priorities.

[sage2021]

@OlderAndWiser I know my priorities too and bacon 🥓 is at the he top of my list. Thank you for the like ☑️ 🙂

[OlderAndWiser]

At least half of the recipes in an old Southern cookbook begin with "Fry some bacon and onions."

[sage2021]

@OlderAndWiser I used to live in the South for many years. This Dr. I worked for told me that his Mom would put lard in the pan before cooking the bacon 😅. A friend of mine that is from Canada then moved to the South used to tell me "The more lard the better with these people out here". 🙄

[HighlyVolatile]

I haven't changed and am not much of a hoarder before or after. In Japan though, I never found shortages I heard about overseas like shortages of toilet paper.

I think perhaps because Japanese homes are relatively so tiny compared to those in places like the US and because we tend to value a more communal over individualistic mindset, it doesn't occur to Japanese to hoard such items.

The custom here is also to shop for fresh groceries on a daily basis and probably in part due to the small homes and the infrastructure which is designed more around pedestrians and cyclists than motorists. Instead of driving to a large grocery store like Wal-Mart or Sam's or Costco and stocking up on groceries for an entire week or longer, Japanese tend to just walk to their little neighborhood grocery store and buy what's needed for that given day on a daily basis.

[HighlyVolatile]

I became somewhat the antithesis of the hoarder at some point in my life since I took on jobs that required me to travel to new cities all the time. So I got used to practically living out of a suitcase in company-rented apartments and hotel rooms. Before that, I used to love collecting all sorts of things -- filling my closets up -- but that became too much of a burden with all the moving I had to constantly do. So I got used to and content with owning very few things and just buying what I need most when I needed it most.

[howhigh420]

i dont like people panic buying through covid taking to much of the one thing from a store isn't fair you may have the money but remember there's always other days to get more i mean i dont know how many times I've went to tesco and there shelfs empty of things you need am like wit the fuck wit is it wae people panic buying its bulshit then the things that are cheap and good are also off aswel nd leave all the dear stuff to ther people selfish greedy nd to needy aswel people out there that dont have much money need to eat to because uve got liads of money doesn't meen u need to be greedy think of how u where at that time its selfush

[Aerissa_Jade]

I would not say I am or have ever been a hoarder, but because I live rural and its a long drive to the city to shop, 45 miles or so... each way. I don't just run to the store as needed, I plan things in advance, such as one big 500 or 600 dollar shopping trip a month for groceries and stuff.

I have always called it stocking up, it is very common with Rural American's. We have ice chests and other devices to keep food cold until we get back home to put it away.

Most fuel economic way too.

Covid has made it a huge pain in the ass though when they say, limit of 2 to an item... come back tomorrow, like really you want me to drive all that way back in tomorrow, how about I just go out to the parking lot and come back in and buy it again and repeat as many times as necessary. I'll go to different check stand or so.

I get it, if you live in the city... trying to help everyone get something and not run out but for me coming back means six more weeks.

[midnightmoon05]

Never been a hoarder… don’t like having stuff or shopping.
during Covid… my family wanted me to keep extra essentials… I bought a few things like toilet papers… some still sitting there … I want to use them up. I don’t like clutters. I like to live as a minimalist.

[t-8900]

I'm a proper, not a hoarder. Been that way since the Obama days when they talked about coming for the guns. I've probably got over 100,000 rounds of 9mm, .22, and 12 gauge ammo. I have a few medical supplies kits, tons of water, rice, beans, I got a dehydrator now, cans out the behind, but it's all for a purpose.

[Smoke-n-Growls]

I wouldn't say I "hoard" supplies. I've bought larger packs of shelf-stable necessities like toilet paper, soap, detergents, flour, etc.

The biggest thing for me was moving to a place I can have a garden and starting one up. I'm new to it, but growing my own food has become a driver for me - the less I can rely on corporations for my food, the better.

[Slartybartfast]

I still have toilet paper and paper towels I bought BEFORE covid! I have lots of space in my home so I buy in bulk (costco) and didn't need to "panic buy" In fact, covid never really affected my lifestyle at all. I have a large vegetable garden and my cousin is a butcher so my food supply wasn't changed at all.

[Anpu23]

I have always had emergency food and a go bag. It was part of both my Mormon upbringing and the Scouts "be prepared" moto.

That didn't change as Covid hit. Emergency food, savings and the ability to protect it in case of problems. Its literally second nature to me.

[Massageman]

My wife is kinda happy I've kept more than the minimum.
We could go two months with no problem, except for fresh stuff after 2-3 weeks.
I have a lot of ingredients to scratch cook, scratch bake, etc. plus anti-itch cream if we just scratch. ;- )

[Anonymous]

My husband and I were preppers before covid 19. Which meant when it hit we were prepared and didn't have to pay more due to shortages brought on by supply and demand for items that were previously readily available. Often a little bit of foresight helps.
We call it prepping not hoarding.

[bulletbob555]

Well mine started when I was going through some medical problems. It was easier to get extra items if it was something I regularly use. Then I moved outside of town. Its 25 or more mile roundtrip to get anything. So buy more. Then the supply line thing started and it increased again

[meetkitty123]

I refuse to hoard. I take what I need. I work part time at a store and I am aware of the needs out there. The only thing I do grab quicky is cat food because that has been the hardest thing to find up here. Regardless I grad two packages at the most.

[Daniela1982]

I don't see anything being scarce. But then we never to until they are scarce. I got a pool and spa full of water so I'm ok there. I also have a freezer full of TV dinners and a cupboard of canned goods. I'm good for now.

[Iron_Man]

No I don’t like to buy too much food because it expires pretty quickly and I hate expired food but I always have a bunch of Water on hand the best water in Florida Zephyrhills Spring Water

[OlderAndWiser]

I've been to Zephyrhills many times. It is not far northeast of Tampa. I usually buy Publix purified water for my coffee maker but otherwise I use Zephyrhills for drinking.

[Iron_Man]

I’ve been wanting so bad to tour the whole entire place to taste the water right out of the underground Springs and to get a descriptive detail of how it all works. They are really a good company and sometimes they send me two coupons for $10 dollars. That’s the only water I
Ever drink Unless I’m on vacation in North Carolina then I have to go to the Deer Park water which Florida used to have but I like Zephyrhills Spring water better. I’m having some right now at this very moment 😊

[OlderAndWiser]

Yesterday, I visited Silver Springs and Rainbow River, which are both fed directly from the aquifer.

[Iron_Man]

Awesome I’m glad you enjoyed it

[Sevenpointfive]

i used to keep lots of cans just in case but they expire too soon. i don't do it anymore. instead i buy seeds and try to plant. i have an amazing pepper plant that's doing crazy well. i'll post it in a question

[OldSchool_Metalhead]

Me and my parents werent that way. If anything though, cleaning/disinfecting supplies got hoarded for a short time earlier this year because i caught the omicron variant back in February

[exitseven]

I often buy extra items of things that I have been unable to find in the supermarkets. I was unable to find saltines, Special K cereal, canned corn, nd recently could not find a turkey. Of course toilet paper is always a challenge.

[Anonymous]

Winter is coming!

We never used toilet paper. Had a bidet. Used high pressure water jet to clean. Cheap. Available. Environmentally friendly.

Always have a spare big bag of rice on hand. Always buy bulk anyway for the discounts

[Sour-rose]

Never did hoard. Seeing as my mom bought stuff from like 1997 and it's still in our pantry, nope. Don't need to be wasting money like that

[dorksided1]

no. but i notice people who are not sure they realize things do go bad, i know people who continue to buy and over buy