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When you think of stockpiling what comes to mind? I think of shows like Hoarders or segments from Good Morning America of Extreme Couponers stockpiling hundreds of boxes of Jello in their garage. But stockpiling can be an every day practice that could just change the way you shop. Here are a few common questions and answers to get you thinking on the idea of building a stockpile.
So what is Stockpiling?
Stockpiling in the sense that I use the word is buying multiples of an item to get you through to the next sale. You can purchase items at rock bottom prices when you can combine a sale with a high value coupon.
Will the food go bad?
I only encourage people to 1) Stockpile food and personal items they know they will use and eat and 2) Only purchase enough of an item to get you to the next sale. Everyone’s stockpile will be a different size and contain different items depending on your families size and what products you use and eat. The key in my opinion is to keep it manageable. The goal is to reduce your food and household budget by always buying on sale and never paying full price.
Where do you keep your stockpile?
I often hear from friends that they don’t have anywhere to store items in bulk quantities. I think this goes back to the pictures we’ve all seen of hundreds of items lined up on shelves in the garage. The truth is that you really don’t need as much space as you think and you would be surprised where you can store things.
I don’t have one place to store items, I have lots of spaces to store things. I have to spread it out around my house to find the space. For example, I use the cabinet in the Laundry room to store extra bottles of laundry detergent and fabric softener, under the sink I store all my extra cleaning supplies. The top shelf of the pantry is my food stockpile, the kids closets each have their diapers and the hall closet is where I store health and beauty items. I know this isn’t always as convenient as having everything in one place, but the key is make it work for you and when you clean out you will be surprised at the space you have.
What items should I stockpile first?
I’m going to do a separate post on what to stockpile, but the general rule of thumb is to stockpile the item you use the most frequently that is on sale first. So if you can only buy extra of one item each week pick the item you use the most that is offered at the greatest discount. This is what will reduce your weekly expenses the fastest.
I would love to know if you stockpile and how you got started. Also, if you have questions on stockpiling then let me know and I will do my best to address them.
Photo Credit: babaghan
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi, I am new to all of this and have a few questions.
I just ordered the Sunday paper for the coupons. I only ordered 1 copy. Should I be ordering 5-6 copies for the sole purpose of coupons?
Also, how do you “work” the walgreens/CVS coupons that give you their money back, making an item essentially, free? I am so confused by all the separate transactions that are needed. How do you know what to pay 1st, 2nd, etc. I have read many blogs on what order you need to hand the cashier coupons, but can’t seem to grasp the concept of what item you should pay first, then do another transaction, etc.
thanks in advance!
My husband and I got into couponing in March and since then, we have developed quite a stockpile. However, the rule we try to stick to is only stockpile items we can get for free (Reach toothbrushes, Colgate or Crest toothpaste, Bandaids, body wash, dish soap, Scrubbing Bubbles items, etc). As a result, we have stockpiled a ton of toiletries and household cleaners. Occassionally, we’ll stockpile food if it’s too good of a deal to pass up and it’s a favorite food of ours, such as 50 cent Kellogg’s cereal or 10 cent Smart Taste pasta.
I have found that stockpiling saves a ton of money. Our only problem is finding the space to put it all since we downsized to a 1BR apartment. We utilize the space under the kitchen and bathroom sinks and different closets. I’ve found that using old bookshelves that fit into some of the closets that came without built in shelves greatly multiplies that amount of stuff I can store in an orderly fashion :)
I also love that we’ve been able to help out a few family members who are unable to work for health reasons or lost their jobs. It’s a good feeling when you can help out family members or donate to a local food pantry through couponing/stockpiling when you normally wouldn’t be able to afford it!
We’ve been stockpiling for about a year now, and we have reduced our weekly budget to $50 (including food for two big eaters and two cats, all health and beauty, litter, paper products, etc.) — couldn’t have done it without stockpiling! I find that most of our hardcore stockpiling is in the Health and Beauty area, as I know that stuff won’t go bad. I only stockpile food if it’s stuff we REALLY like, but I usually like the variety of buying the different sales each week and trying new foods, too.
FWIW, I stockpile TP at Target when they have their gift card deals — they have one now, but I’m all stocked! I found that TP is an area that I never really feel like I save as much as I wish I could, so I just bite the bullet and buy in bulk (without big value coupons) once every few months.
Great post!
me too! I try to stockpile when its on sale if it will help anything. I’m not sure what to stockpile since I am in a 900 sq ft apt, with not alot of pantry/closet space.
I like this post because this is actually my latest challenge. I have been “really” couponing for the past year. I finally have large stashes of the stuff that we use the most that will not go bad or last a long time. It seems like it just happened over night and it’s a little out of control. So I have been trying to tackle where to store it all and trying to keep it organized so that my husband isn’t scared of it. We recently (actually this week) added a cabinet in the garage for this exact reason, but I am worried about what I can store in the garage. I live in central Texas and during the summer our garage gets up to over 100 degrees. In the meantime I have stuff stockpiled similar to you, a little all over the house where is makes the most sense.
And my approach to stockpiling is to only buy in excess when it is an awesome sale and we really use. Like our brands of toothbrushes, soaps, toiletries, canned foods, dry foods, etc. I usually get 4 papers and have 2 computers. So I usually buy 4 at a time if it’s a good deal.
I started stockpiling, not to save money, but in case of an emergency. So I bought lots of stuff at Costco. THEN, I learned about the super deals that can be had with coupons and a bit of work! I hardly ever go to Costco anymore as I can do so much better with coupons at the drug and grocery stores!!!!! I stockpile things that do not go bad quickly and are almost free or free like shampoo, razors, dental stuff, etc. Next was canned items with long storage dates of a year or more (I have had to give some stuff to charity that I did not use that was getting close to expiring). Now I got a Seal A Meal and I seal up stuff and store it in a cool space that may go bad quicker like pastas and packaged foods. It really has been fun!!! My only concern is keeping the foods cool enough in the summer.
I agree stockpiling is key to keeping your grocery budegt in check, but it’s hard to define what it is. For example I started just to reduce my overall grocery bill.
For me it’s doing things like buying ketchup or fruit chillers at a low and then keeping it to use (we use a ton of ketchup and CERAL. I never want to pay full price again!
I was wondering if you have any good ideas on stockpiling toilet paper. It seems like the best price I usually find is 4 or 5 dollars with a coupon. I am a little leary of using store brand.
I absolutely stockpile! I try to use my list of staples to do the most stockpiling or things that are a treat.
Right now it is a treat – Santa Cruz Organic Lemonade. Each week a different store has it for $1. This is about 75% off its regular price and we love it as a summer time drink. It definitely isn’t something I will buy at its regular price!
I also just got 28 packs of Dentyne Pure free at Walgreens this week. Another treat for our family that I would not pay for – but I will drive to 3 different Walgreens to score free gum! :)
See you at the Summit!