Given the policy of gradual inflation and sometimes inflation that is not so gradual, stockpiling things you’d actually use that don’t degrade over time isn’t nearly the cause for mockery that it has tended to be. If you’ve got the funds to spare and the space to do it, it probably “paid” better than putting the money in a savings account over the same period.
I still buy in bulk when I find a good deal. I'm not going to turn down 15% savings.
On the other hand, perhaps the FAA could have managed to not buy a bunch of tubes for their computers, and have upgraded by now...
/johnny