Let's be honest.

When you think about a stockpile, the first thing that comes to mind is food, right?

Preppers are well-known for having a stash of long-term food to sustain them through anything from a winter storm that leaves them stranded for a week to the end of the world, but there's a lot more to a good stockpile than edible items.  Think about the things you use on a regular basis that you purchase from the store. Personal hygiene items, school supplies, cleaning supplies – the list goes on and on of consumable goods that you use without really thinking about it.

Ever since my kids were little, I've always kept a stockpile of these types of goods. And there have been occasions in my life that I was very grateful to have them on hand.  When I was unemployed for a few months, I didn't have to run to the store to get day-to-day items, nor did I have to do without. I was able to simply go shopping in the pantry and meet my family's needs. Because of this, we survived a stressful situation without the added stress of not having the things we needed to live comfortably.

How to get a good deal on non-food stockpile items

Shopping for non-food stockpile items is much like shopping for your grocery stockpile. It's essential that you get the best deal you can. If the deal is really epic, sometimes I stock up on brands that we don't really use so that I have some items on hand for a friend who may have fallen on hard times. A gift of health-and-beauty supplies would be very welcome to someone who has lost a job or otherwise fallen on hard times.

• Watch the flyers. Sometimes these types of items are loss-leaders, which means the store will be selling them at a loss in the hope that you'll buy some of their more overpriced merchandise.

• Buy in bulk. Sometimes you can get a good deal by purchasing items in quantity. Places like Costco, Amazon, and Winco often sell non-food supplies in packs of 3, 6, or 24.  Be sure to do the math and confirm that you're really saving money, though. Sometimes they can be tricky.

• Hit the dollar store or clearance store.  I get lots of great stuff at our local Grocery Outlet, part of a chain. They sell lots more than groceries and often have organic brands of health and beauty aids for a fraction of the price that the boutique stores charge. The dollar store can also be a good source for certain items. Take care not to get something of terrible quality that won't really work, though.

• Clip coupons. If you're a coupon-er, good deals can often be found on high quality, name brand items.

• Estate sales. I've found some of these things at estate sales for a dime.

• Facebook Marketplace. I've gotten some of these things in bulk on Marketplace, but be careful with this. It's usually a couponer's stash, but sometimes the products 'fell off the back of a truck.'

Add these items to your non-food stockpile

Your expanded stockpile will save you time, money, and stress. When you have a well-provisioned home, you can meet most situations with aplomb. Scenarios that would have other people scrambling to provide the basic necessities for their family will hardly register as a blip on your radar.