Extreme Couponing: Stockpiling Basics
Here is another post in my series of Extreme Couponing tips for beginners! This post is a simple overview of stockpiling and the basics to get started with your stockpile. Inside you will find some tips on starting your stockpile, building it, where to store your items and more. Stockpiling is a great way for your family to save and have all of the products you consume and use frequently always on hand. It doesn't have to be extreme and you can start big or start small – the choice is up to you!
Continue reading below to check out the entire post!
How do you build a stockpile? There are a few things you need to consider before you start building a stockpile:
- First determine the space that you have available. Keeping a stockpile will require storage area. If you are a bit short on storage area then you will need to prioritize the items you stockpile. Some people who are low on space utilize storage tubs & drawers as well. If you have a garage area you can use for your stockpile be sure to consider climate. You don't want your stockpile to take over your home so utilize the area you have.
- You also need to consider your family’s consumption of each item you are thinking of stockpiling. For example it won’t make any sense to keep a stockpile 20 boxes of cereal when your family maybe goes through one box a week. Only buy items in excess that your family uses often to save the most.
- Keep an eye out for sales and coupons for the items you need to stockpile. Needless to say, you will save the most if you are not brand loyal. Remember that sales are cyclical and so are coupons. By now you should know that P&G Coupons come out every month, usually at the beginning or the end.
- You can make decisions based on information like this: you know Target has Cottonelle toilet paper regularly priced at $0.99 per 4ct pack and you also know that the $0.50/1 Cottonelle coupon comes out about every three months or so. Maybe all you need to do is stockpile three months worth and no more.
- Buy your items for your stockpile at ROCK BOTTOM Prices. If you can score an item FREE with a coupon and you know ahead of time that the coupon will be coming in the paper you can get 10 papers that week and then get 10 of that item for FREE for your stockpile.
- Watch the sales every week! If you see Cereal on sale for $2 and you have $1 off 1 coupons, buy the cereal when it's on sale to get the stockpiling prices. Here on That Frugal Girl I post weekly ad match ups for several stores that will help you when purchasing items for your stockpile.
Is it reasonable for a 2 person household to stockpile? Absolutely. Familes with children typically have larger stockpiles, but even those who live alone can benefit from stockpiling. You don't necessarily have to be extreme about your stockpile. For every item that you consume or use regularly that you find on sale at a stockpiling price (usually $1 or less) purchase 2 more of that item for your stockpile. Consider stockpiling things you typically use; Shampoo, razors, soap, deodorant, soft drinks, cereals, toilet paper, and canned soup.
Ideas for storage in tight spaces and smaller houses:
- You can buy those over the door hangers at stores like Dollar General, Walmart and Target that can hang over your pantry door and hold spices/soup mixes and more. These also work well to hold personal care items in your bathroom.
- Those 5 qt snap lid tubs you can buy at Target or Walmart for $1 ea work well under the bed with personal care items like Shampoo, Soap, Deodorant, Feminine care, and more. Label these tubs with post its and push them under the bed. Pull them out when you need a new shampoo, etc!
- You can also use those hanging 5 shelf organizers (frequently on clearance at Target & Walmart) and hang them in a closet space.
- Consider using the plastic storage drawers you can buy at stores like Target and Walmart. You can fill these drawers with your loose items.
- Utilize extra drawers and shelves in your bathroom, and under the sink for excess personal care products.
Items that are easy to stockpile and frequently go on sale at stockpiling prices:
- Cereal, Canned Soup, Hamburger helper, Cookie mix/Cake Mix, Baby Formula/Baby Food, Frozen Pizzas/Dinners, Salad Dressing, Condiments
- Bar Soap, Shampoo, Body Wash, Razors, Deodorant, Tooth Paste, Floss, Mouth Wash, Asprin/Tylenol, Feminine Care Products, Cosmetics, Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Diapers, Wipes
- Laundry Detergent, Dish Soap, Dishwasher Soap, Glade/Airwick/Febreze Products, Household Cleaners
Travel Care/Trial Size Products – What do I do with them?
Frequently there is coupons available that are valid on ANY size product that is indicated. Often times you can purchase the travel/trial size for FREE sometimes even with overage with these coupons. Examples are: Travel Size Deodorant, Body Wash, Dishwasher Cleaner, Laundry Detergent, Tooth Paste, Mouth Wash, Floss, and Razors. I personally buy these often because I like to put them in gift bags/gift baskets for friends and family. I also keep a basket full of personal care products in my bathroom in case anyone needs something.
I hope this post has helped you on your journey to starting and building up your stockpile! I will be posting more tips on Extreme Couponing frequently on That Frugal Girl, so keep checking back!
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Good article here…….