I "Like" Stockpiling

I started stockpiling in the spring. Not extreme stockpiling, but if you were to open my pantry and see four peanut butter jars, and six boxes of spaghetti, this is my way of stockpiling.

Grocery shopping has been cut in half, if not more, since I started stockpiling, and I am a fan. Instead of shopping the old way, where I would buy one peanut butter, or one box of spaghetti (and run out of it in no time), I would buy several, if they were on sale and even better, if I had coupons for them. This is my way of keeping stock of common items that we are always going to buy, and now I don't have to run to the store as often. Sure you may be spending money up front on items you won't need for a few months, but if you do it the right way and shop the sales with coupons, you will be saving money in the end and you will have great stock of items that you would end up buying anyways.

I noticed that my grocery cart is a lot emptier now because of this. When I head to the store, the main items I purchase are: milk, bread, apples, bananas, and maybe a few other items. My cart is never loaded down though the way it used to be. My groceries usually only cost around $30, too. (This is before I throw the red wine in there!) My stockpile has been providing for me for a few months now.

I can tell that I am running low on a few things so when I need non-perishables here in the next few weeks, I hope to start stocking up again. We all know that there are times in the winter when its good to stockpile anyways, in case there are snow/ice days that keep you inside your house.

If there were a Facebook group on Stockpiling, which there may be, I would "like" it.

You can read my article on how to create a stockpile here.

What Are Your Plans Today?

Today is shopping day for me!

I usually start out at a thrift store and see what I can find there first. I often find several pieces of clothing for my daughter for $1.19 (mostly new and gently used name brand items.) I also find a lot of "like new" pairs of kids shoes and lots of books and toys for her as well. Occasionally I find something for myself, but I know I go in there specifically looking for kids items.

Then I am off to the grocery store. Take a look at my list:

milk
bread
cheese
lunch meat
chicken breast
chicken nuggets
apples
bananas
grapes
mac & cheese

That is my list! That's it! Isn't that awesome? Where are the diapers, wipes, toilet paper, toothpaste, peanut butter, cereal, pancake mix, etc.? They are already in my pantry/shelves--thanks to my lovely stockpile method (buying several items when they are on sale and when I have coupons to match-instead of going week by week to pick up the items). I LOVE my stockpile. Shopping is a breeze now. I still have my coupon binder ready to go and I will probably find some good deals on items that I may continue to stock up on. I also made sure to plan around the circular and find what is on sale! Read more about my stockpile method here.

I also have my consignment store appointment today. I love my consignment store here. They take just about everything, from magazines and books, to clothes. I have a few things to shed from my life so they are in boxes and ready to go. Making consignment appointments throughout the year really helps to keep my house decluttered and also puts a lot of extra cash in the wallet! Call and make an appointment with a consignment store in your area and ask what their policy is (what they take, how much you will get).

If you have lots planned to day or very little, just remember to HAVE A GREAT DAY and enjoy every minute of it, for this is a day that has not been promised!

Be sure to check coupons.com and Redplum for new coupons! Read my coupon tips here.

Save on Groceries at Coupons.com! Click Here

Red Plum - Free printable grocery coupons. Click Here

How to Create a Small Stockpile

As a mother of a small toddler, I found that it wasn't easy to get to the grocery store each week. I found that I didn't have too much time to make lists on what I needed. I also found that I was buying the same things each week because we ran out of the item too fast. I wasn't a fan of standing in the Wal-mart line with a huge cart of baby stuff, non-perishables, and toiletries. I would leave realizing I didn't even buy much food because all of the other stuff took up so much room (and also had a frustrated baby in tow!)

Then I ran across another frugal blogger's blog. She had posted pictures of what she called a "stockpile." I thought the idea was a little crazy myself, and inquired a little further. I started asking questions about it. When someone told me what it was and that she was getting all of the items for free or almost free, I inquired even further. I watched videos on Youtube on "stockpiling." This is also the time when I decided that I wanted to use coupons, too, to get items that we needed for next to nothing!

It has taken me a little over a month to create a small stockpile. The best part? When I go to the grocery store, I find that all I have to buy are: fresh produce, milk, bread, meats, frozen foods,and other cold stuff. There are rarely any non-perishables, unless I find them on sale and have coupons to get them really cheap. My shopping time is cut in half and shopping is way less frustrating.

What is a stockpile? A stockpile is a large quantity of items that are stored for future usage.

Take a look at this list. These are things that I do not have to buy for at least two-three months or more.

1. Toilet Paper
2. Cleaning Products
3. Diapers and Wipes, Baby Wash
(I am actually running low on diapers.
When I go to the store soon, I plan to buy
several packages.)
4. Feminine Products
5. Deodorant
6. Toothpaste
7. Razors
8. Soap
9. Cat food/cat litter
10. Coffee
11. Peanut Butter and Jelly
12. Syrup
13. Mustard, Ketchup, Mayo
14. Cereal/Granola Bars
15. Snacks for daughter
16. Spaghetti/Spaghetti Sauce
17. Pancake Mix

When you find something on sale at a much lower price than you usually pay for, buy more than one. Buy 6 or more! I suggest taking a month or so to create your small stockpile. This just means that you are going to the store more throughout the month. You are buying all of the items above when they are on sale and hopefully with coupons. Some people are limited on space. See if there are areas in your house that you could tuck a few items away. If you have a cabinet that you consider full of stuff you never use, donate it for space for your stockpile.

It is a joke in my house now that my wonderful hubby will say "Hey--I think we are running out of toilet paper!" when we have several packages. I don't mind though. I am the one that does the majority of grocery shopping. Every week I found I was picking up more toilet paper! Not anymore, thanks to my stockpile. I found a new way of shopping, and I love it. In my opinion, stockpiling is extremely helpful for mothers. It's not easy loading up the kids and running to the grocery store all of the time! I had company come recently and I enjoyed that I didn't have to go re-stock just for their visit. I had everything for them!

Keys to stockpiling:
1. Wait to buy toiletry and non-perishable items when they are sale.
2. Use coupons with the sale.
3. Instead of buying 1 item that you know you will buy again, buy several to last you a few months. They are on sale! You will be saving money in the end. When you find you are running out, these items will probably be on sale again! Sales always run in cycles.
4. Make sure you have plenty of room to store your stockpile.
5. Enjoy the benefits of not having to run to the store as often!

Happy Stockpiling!

Do you stockpile? Leave a comment below! Thinking of starting one? Come back to tell me if and how it has helped in your life!