If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that the supply chain is one bad day away from absolute chaos. One minute, everything’s fine—the next, you’re fighting a grandma at Costco over the last pack of toilet paper. Now, homeowners are catching on and preemptively stocking up on everyday essentials before they become the next hot commodity.
Whether it’s due to climate change, government regulations, or just plain bad luck, these 12 items are flying off the shelves—and honestly, it might be time to start your own stash.
1. Gas Stoves and Parts
Gas stoves have officially entered their “cancelled” era. With cities like New York banning new gas hookups and the Consumer Product Safety Commission considering tighter regulations, homeowners are scrambling to hold onto their beloved blue flames.
Why the drama? Studies from the NIH show gas stoves contribute to indoor air pollution, but die-hard home cooks swear they’re superior to electric. This has sparked a frenzy of people buying backup parts, replacement burners, and even entire stoves before they go the way of the dodo. If you love your gas range, now might be the time to future-proof your setup.
2. Sriracha Hot Sauce
Sriracha isn’t just a condiment—it’s a lifestyle. Unfortunately, Huy Fong Foods (the brand behind that iconic rooster bottle) has been struggling to source red jalapeños thanks to droughts and crop failures. Fox reports that this ongoing chili shortage has led to massive supply gaps, and resale prices for a single bottle have hit absurd levels.
Spicy food lovers aren’t taking any chances. Whenever Sriracha reappears on shelves, people are stocking up like it’s Y2K all over again. So if you see one, grab it—because the next time you need that perfect drizzle for your ramen, it might not be there.
3. Toilet Paper (Yes, Again)
Oh, you thought the toilet paper panic was over? Think again. The American Forest & Paper Association warns that supply chain disruptions and rising production costs could cause more shortages in the future.
Some people never stopped hoarding, and honestly, they might be onto something. With inflation making everything more expensive, bulk-buying TP when prices are low is just good financial planning. Plus, if things go south again, at least you won’t have to barter for a roll on Facebook Marketplace.
4. Cereal
If you’ve been mourning the disappearance of your favorite childhood cereal, you’re not alone. Brands like General Mills and Kellogg’s have been quietly cutting production due to supply chain issues and rising costs of ingredients like wheat and oats. CNN Business reports that companies are even shrinking package sizes while keeping prices the same (sneaky, right?).
Dedicated cereal fans aren’t taking any chances. Whether it’s Cinnamon Toast Crunch or a nostalgic ’90s throwback, people are hoarding their go-to cereals before they vanish—or worse, get reformulated into something less fun.
5. Canning Jars and Lids
Mason jars aren’t just for overpriced lattes at hipster cafés anymore. With more people getting into homesteading, pickling, and DIY food preservation, canning supplies are becoming harder to find. Ball Corporation (the company behind the OG mason jar) has acknowledged ongoing supply issues, and demand is still outpacing production.
Beyond the practical side, let’s be real—mason jars just look cool. They fit the whole sustainable, aesthetic pantry vibe, which is probably why millennials are hoarding them like they’re the new Bitcoin. If you see them in stock, grab a few, or prepare for serious FOMO when they inevitably disappear again.
6. Antique Wood Furniture
Millennials might be accused of killing everything from napkins to chain restaurants, but one thing they’re reviving? Solid wood furniture. Unlike cheap, mass-produced particle board, antique pieces are durable, sustainable, and full of character. Unfortunately, demand is soaring, and once these vintage finds are gone, they’re gone.
Between TikTok DIYers and sustainability-conscious shoppers, estate sales and thrift stores have turned into battlegrounds for high-quality furniture. If you’ve ever thought about swapping that IKEA dresser for something timeless, now’s the time to pounce.
7. Eggs (When Prices Dip)
Remember when eggs randomly shot up to $8 a dozen? Thanks to recurring bird flu outbreaks and supply chain issues, that wasn’t a fluke. While prices have stabilized, consumers haven’t forgotten the pain, and when eggs go on sale, people stock up.
Savvy homeowners are even freezing eggs for later use or investing in backyard chickens to hedge against future spikes. The lesson? If you see eggs at a decent price, don’t assume they’ll stay that way.
8. LED Light Bulbs
With incandescent bulbs being phased out for good, LED bulbs are the new norm—but even those might not be around forever in their current form. Some warm-toned or high-wattage options are being discontinued, and homeowners who prefer a specific aesthetic are panic-buying their favorites.
On top of that, smart bulbs are taking over, and not everyone is on board with the whole “connected home” thing. If you prefer your lights without an app, it might be time to stash a few extras before they disappear.
9. Coffee Beans
Bad news, coffee lovers—climate change is coming for your morning brew. According to the National Coffee Association, extreme weather, droughts, and crop diseases are making high-quality coffee beans harder to grow.
Some specialty beans could become luxury items, and let’s be honest, nobody wants to drink bad coffee. That’s why homeowners are buying in bulk, freezing beans, and even learning to roast their own. Because caffeine withdrawal is not a good look.
10. Aluminum Foil
Aluminum might not be the first thing you think of when prepping for shortages, but it’s getting weirdly expensive. Thanks to supply chain disruptions and rising demand from industries like electric vehicles, foil prices keep creeping up.
Home cooks who rely on foil for everything from baking to grilling are stocking up whenever they find it at a decent price. Some are even switching to reusable alternatives, but let’s be real—sometimes, you just need a good sheet of foil.
11. Baby Formula
The formula shortage of 2022 was a wakeup call for parents, and many are still keeping extra cans on hand. While supply has improved, production disruptions and recalls have proven just how fragile the industry really is.New parents aren’t willing to take any chances. If formula is a must-have in your household, having a backup stash is just smart planning—because when it’s gone, it’s gone.
12. Trash Bags
Okay, so trash bags aren’t exactly the most exciting thing to stockpile, but hear me out—have you ever needed one and realized you were completely out? It’s one of those small but critical household items that you don’t think about until you’re standing there with a full, overflowing bin and nowhere to put the garbage. And now, thanks to rising production costs and sneaky shrinkflation (fewer bags per roll for the same price—rude), people are quietly stashing extras before prices go up even more.
Manufacturers are dealing with higher costs for plastic and packaging, which means some brands are cutting back on production or rolling out smaller packs while hoping no one notices. But savvy homeowners are noticing, and they’re grabbing bulk packs now before the situation gets worse. Because let’s be real—running out of trash bags mid-cleanup is one of those minor inconveniences that somehow feels like the biggest disaster ever.
