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At cincysavers.com, we've got great ways to help you save. One of our savings experts' best tips is to stock up on items when you can get them at the lowest prices or even free. Sure, you're excited by all the deals you're finding, but you may think you don't have enough or the right kind of space to create a stockpile. We're here to help you find it! The most obvious place to start is by cleaning out your current storage areas. Go through your pantry and closets and get rid of anything that's been sitting there for long enough that you probably won't be using it. Pitch these items if they're past the expiration date or donate them to a food pantry or other organization if they're still usable. While we aren't suggesting you waste food, if it's been sitting there long enough that it's unlikely you'll be using it, pass it on and open up the space for more quantities of the products you do use and eat.  Also see how many products you can store right where you already have them. For example, can you fit two boxes of crackers where you just have one now? Could extra bottles of hand soap and detergent fit under your sink? If there's a matchup where you can get free bottles of detergent, would you have room for a few extra in your laundry room? You'd be surprised how much money you can save just by stockpiling a few extra of things you use all the time. When it comes to larger spaces, if you're lucky enough to have an extra room or a basement, this is an obvious place for a stockpile. Set up some inexpensive but sturdy shelving, like the easy-to-assemble types from Rubbermaid. Set up one shelf for food, one for cleaning supplies only (use the bottom shelf if there are no little ones around) and one for health and beauty items.  (See LMKIA's stockpile room video.) Don't have a basement or a spare room? No problem! Purchase plastic tubs with lids, fill each with one type of item (for example, one for cleaning supplies only), and be sure to label it properly with a permanent marker. Then stow them in a closet or two. Can't spare room in a closet? Try this space-saver for size. Rubbermaid makes great long but thin storage solutions that fit under beds or couches. As long as you keep like items in the same bin and label it clearly, you'll find you have plenty of room to create a stockpile that suits your needs. A standard twin bed easily allows room for up to three of these types of containers.  You could also store items in your garage, being sure that your stockpile is securely closed up to insulate it from temperature changes or any bugs or dirt that  are more likely to be in your garage than in other areas. If you still have a large entertainment center with doors that closed around your entertainment equipment but are now using a flat screen, consider using the entertainment center as a storage space. You can also use armoires and other cabinets in this way. Still need places to store things? Consider adding shelving around the top few feet in your laundry room, above your fridge or in your garage. The project isn't too complicated and will allow you to save more by giving you room to buy things and store them when the price is low. The same concept applies to furniture with built in storage (IKEA and other furniture retailers have good options that aren't too expensive). Once you have a stockpile space, remember to rotate your items with the nearest expiration dates in the front so you don't miss out on the chance to use a product. Even an inexpensive product is a waste of money if it ends up in the trash! Do you have a space-saving solution to share? Let us know in the comments or send a picture to photos@cincysavers.com.

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