Stockpiling

Stockpiling is simply a method of maximizing savings by purchasing our everyday items at Rock Bottom prices in quantities that we need to last until the next big sale comes around.  When I first heard of people stockpiling my first thought was why??? It didn’t make any sense to me that anyone would “need” so much of anything let alone an entire room dedicated to their stockpile.  To me the stockpiles seemed to have a life of their own and I could never, ever see my endorsing or participating in such an action until….. I understood the power of the stockpile.

Once you have your own stockpile and a plan, your monthly savings can increase exponentially!   One can reasonably expect to spend a substantial amount less per month, per person to feed your family AND re-stock your stockpile than you were spending by following our examples.

Are you excited about the possibilities? I know I am! Let’s talk about how…

Meal Planning

Building your stockpile is usually most successful in combination with meal planning.  Meal planning begins, not by making a list of things you want to eat and buying accordingly, but by planning out meals using ingredients you have on hand!  Sites like foodnetwork.com or allrecipes.com will allow you to search by ingredient(s). If you happen to need something, like meat or veggies, check your local ads for the best deals that week and plan your meals around those, too.

 How much do I buy?

It all begins by taking a look at the items you use most often and making a list.  Likely, you’ll end up with 20-30 must have items.  Once you have your list you’ll start planning your meals according to what you have in your pantry and will also be watching the deals and coupon match ups for your opportunities to build your stockpile.

Now that you have your list you’ll need to estimate how much you’ll need until the next sale comes around.  Great sales come around in 3-6 month intervals.   I usually try to buy 6 months ahead if I can making sure to watch the expiration dates so nothing goes bad before we can use it.  Time for some math…  if you know how many times a week you eat a certain product and in what quantity, like pasta or whatever, you can easily make your calculations.

Calculate

Multiply – Number of times item eaten per week x Quantity Eaten x Number of Weeks purchasing for = total quantity needed to stockpile until the next sale

Here is an example of my pasta calculation -

2 boxes of pasta per week  x 26 weeks = 52 boxes of pasta

Calculate for meat -

Multiply-  Number of People x  Number of Times Eaten Per Week  x Portion in Ounces x Number of Weeks purchasing for = Ounces of meat you’ll need.  Divide the Number of Ounces by 16….this will give you the number of pounds you’ll need.  I usually don’t buy for more than 3 months or so ahead on meat.

Some words of advice…

Stockpiling does take a little bit of time and patience.  Don’t be discouraged if it all doesn’t come together during the first month.  When I started my own stockpile it took about 4 months or so to build it the right way.  What I mean by that is purchasing reasonable quantities that could be used up and rotated without clearing the shelves.  Remember, many stores will allow you to place special orders if you call ahead of time.  It’s kind to the store because they now know what they need, it’s kind to your fellow shoppers couponers and regulars alike and most of all it’s kind to yourself!  You’re more likely to get what you need in the quantity you need it this way!