What is stockpiling?
There are two ways that most bargain hunters grocery shop: stockpiling (a lot) and shopping for needs (a little) . Need shopping is buying what you need on a weekly basis like produce or milk or buying an item that you need for a meal plan during the week. Because it’s an immediate need, you often pay more than the lowest price for a certain item. When shopping for needs, always check the area sales flyers for the week. If you can’t run to several stores, take your ads to Walmart for price matching. This will help you reduce costs on need-based shopping.
By stockpiling items you’ll eventually need, you will save hundreds of dollars each month. Supermarkets have about a 12 week sale cycle. (Most things go on sale about every twelve weeks.) There are some exceptions to this rule. For example, soup is mostly on sale during the winter and condiments during the summer. But no matter what, only a few items will be featured on sale each week. So if you shop only for what you need, you’ll save on a small percentage of these items and overspend on your other needs. Stockpiling with matching coupons and sales will help you buy items at rock-bottom prices. I use my sales flyers, other bloggers, and hotcouponworld to help me match my coupons to get the very best deals.
Most people find that it takes 3 to 6 months to have a well-rounded stockpile. When this finally happens your needs shopping goes way down.When I started my stockpile, I spent about the same amount as always, but was bringing home way more food/groceries. At the 6 month mark, I had reduced my grocery budget in half. Now, 18 months later, I only spend $100 per week on everything (eating out, beauty supplies, clothing, food, etc.) It has been a pretty amazing journey, and now I have the chance to share it with you!
I disclose: There may be affiliate links in this post.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I get so confused about stockpiling. I find that I think I need to buy things that I don’t really need or use …..but because it is a good price and I have a coupon or I am trying to use up my EB’s from CVS or trying to earn more EB’s. How do you know when to add things such as toothpaste, shampoo etc. when I have several of those already. Do you keep buying just because it’s a good sale with a coupon or to get EB’s?
Thanks for all your help, and I am really enjoying and learning from this site!
I talk a lot more about stockpiling in my savvy shopper course. http://www.mycouponteacher.com/savvy-shopper-course/
A lot of factors play into how much to buy. You need to consider the space you have for stockpiling, how many family members you have, and how much you will use before it expires.
I try not to buy things I or my family won’t need or use, especially if it is not easily donated.
Let me know what else I can do to help!