The answer to this question will change for you the longer you are quilting.
You will have a larger stash. Work toward that end now as you run into fabrics you can add to the stash "just because" you might use it some day, especially blenders and those that read as solids. Over 30+ years I have built a 2-3000 print stash this way, buying 1/2 - 1 yard at a time.
You will have more and more "leftovers" as you complete projects. For example I have stored strips from 1" to 3.5" in separate totes, as well as squares of specific sizes, and "usuable pieces" from odd rectangles to partial fat quarters.
I wait to cut specific strips until the specific project requires them; then again, if I've cut too many, that's cool - they just go into the correct tote for the future.
I have made many quilts, some with up to 30+ fabrics, from just my stash using folded 'whole' yardage and some strips from the totes. If you sort and save 'leftovers' to their most usable sizes, you'll soon be able to do this too.
Jan in VA