Stockpiling 101: Part One - What is Stockpiling?

I wrote this series last year sometime, but with new readers (and even faithful readers), I thought it would be a good time to re-post this series for the next few weeks on Tuesday's Topic. 


Please feel free to leave questions and comments below!




I have touched on Stockpiling here and there, especially in my section The Coupon Strategy. But, I wanted to take a moment to stress the importance of stockpiling, especially when it comes to saving the most on your grocery bill.

Example of a Stockpile

I am going to make this into a 5 part series, as there is quite a bit of information to cover regarding stockpiling. Here are the topics to look forward to:

• What is Stockpiling? 
• Why is Stockpiling Important?
• How do I Stockpile? 
• When do I know the right price to Stockpile an item.
• Where do I put my Stockpile?

WHAT IS STOCKPILING

The following are some definitions of Stockpile:

A stockpile is a pile or storage location for bulk materials, forming part of the bulk material handling process. - from Wikipedia

: a storage pile: as a : a reserve supply of something essential accumulated within a country for use during a shortage b : a gradually accumulated reserve of something - from Merriam-Webster 

 a reserve supply of goods, raw material, etc., accumulated esp. in anticipation of future shortage or emergency - from YourDictionary.com

Stockpiling in terms of your groceries is buying in large quantities of products that are priced at rock bottom. You want to build up your stockpile and this can take usually around 3-6 months for the typical family to accomplish. You're goal is have a large enough stash to last you at least 2-3 months.

Most products are stockpile eligible, but there are other products that you just can't stockpile due to a very short shelf life and/or inability to freeze. However, there are ways to help bring the cost of non-stockpile items down.

Stockpile Items

Paper Products (paper towels, toilet paper, ect..)

Laundry items (detergent, static sheets, fabric softner, ect...)

Dairy Items (Milk, yogurt, cheese, ice cream, butter - all these items are freezable)

Bread (freezable)

Canned Goods (veggies, fruit, beans, ect...)

Candy (freezable)

Body Washes

Household Cleaners

Pet Treats

Medicines OTC

Meats

Chips & Pretzels

Nuts &  Seeds (almonds, cashews, walnuts and pecan nuts. Sunflower, linseed, poppy seed and pinenuts.)

Sugars (Brown, white and castor sugar, xylitol or stevia. Maple and golden syrup)

Sauces (tomato, chutney, mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, sweet chillie sauce, soya sauce.)

Treats (favorite biscuits, picnic foods, chocolates, potato chips, hot chocolate, instant puddings, custard.

Convience Foods (tortillas, nachos, mixes, and Mac 'n Cheese, breakfast cereals.)

Pasta (whole wheat, white bread and cake flour, oats, oat bran, rice, Pearled Barley, Popcorn. High nutritional grains: amaranth, quinoa, spelt.)

Oils

Flours & Grains

First Aid Items 

Feminine Products

Tissues

Baby Items (diapers, wipes, wash, ointment, ect)

Non-Stockpile Items

Produce (fresh veggies & fresh fruits)

Eggs

Milk (some do not like to freeze their milk)

The Stockpile Items list is, thankfully, quite large and includes most of our every day items. These are the items that you should begin stocking up and buying in bulk when their prices are rock bottom. My weekly store postings include items that are all stockpile worthy, and will assist you in stocking up on those really cheap items.

As stated in The Coupon Strategy, Need Items are your grocery products that you are in need of, you do not have a stockpile of these items, and they are products that you Need. Most of us have been raised with the idea that when you run out of items in your pantry you make a run to the grocery store and stocked up on enough items to last you maybe one to two weeks worth. It does not matter the price of the item, you just buy it because you Need it. This method does not save you money (maybe a few bucks here and there, as you might get lucky and buy items that happen to be on sale). 

By switching your shopping methods from Need Items to Stockpile Items you will find over time that you will be saving more and more money.

Next Tuesday's Topic I will talk about Why is Stockpiling Important?

Tuesday's Topic: Let's Start Stockpiling

Introducing a new feature on Centsable Stewardship - Tuesday's Topic. Where I will be featuring a weekly topic on how to Spend Less, Save Abundantly, & still Have More. (I actually had another topic picked out for today but decided this one needs to take precedence)


Today's topic is on building a great a wonderful stockpile without breaking the bank, and without losing your sanity.


I know how hard it is to start couponing, especially if you have little ones running around your feet, demanding your attention all day long. It's not easy to be a mom, and still try and maintain a grocery budget (or any budget for that matter).


I have several friends and family members who are still struggling to get their coupons in order and their stockpiles built. This made me start thinking of ways to try and redeem these issues that I believe most of us face. 


There are a few ways to get your stockpile built. If you have an expansive enough of a budget, you may be able to stockpile everything you need in about a months time, however I do not think most of us fall into this category. I think most of us, especially with today's economy, fall into a pretty strict budget range, and we only have so much to 'play' with to make our stockpile a fulfilling one. 


Here are 5 Simple Steps to Starting Your Stockpile, especially on a limited budget.


1. Make your grocery list - as you normally would. Don't worry about the sale items or coupons, just make a list of everything your household needs this coming week, as you normally would pre-coupons :)


2. Pick one or two grocery stores you plan to shop.


3. Follow the blogs that bring you the weekly ad with match-ups (pick only one or two) - The Savings Connection will provide you will a list of blogs you can choose from to follow on a weekly basis.


4. Match-up your Needs List with items that are on sale with coupons. Add the coupon info to your grocery list (coupons & where to find those coupons).


5. Pick out 1-5 items that are at a rock bottom price that you can stockpile - these may be on your Needs List or they may not be on your Needs List. You are ONLY buying these because they are at a rock bottom price, these will go into your stockpile.

If you follow the above steps, you will bring your grocery bill down, buy items that you need and begin building a stockpile, all without going over budget, wasting time, or cause yourself to go crazy.

This will probably take you about 6-9 months to get a good solid stockpile built. You will find each week that your Needs List will start going down, and your Stockpile List will go up, which will ultimately bring your OOP costs down.

Stockpiling 101: Part Three - Stock Up: How to Build a Stockpile

For the past two days we have been talking about the importance of Stockpiling. First we talked about What is Stockpiling? Yesterday we talked about Why Stockpiling is Important. 

Today I am going to talk about Stocking Up: How to Create a Stockpile? This is pretty much the heart of the whole Stockpiling series.

I will discuss the most efficient ways to build a stockpile, how long it takes to build one, how much is enough and how much is too much.

HOW DO I CREATE A STOCKPILE?

First of all it is a good idea to have a good understanding of using coupons and sales, in order to start building your stockpile. You can read The Coupon Strategy for greater details to the art of Couponing, but I will touch on the topic just a tad in this post. 

To create a stockpile you want to buy a lot of items that are on sale with coupons. By using coupons with sale prices you are able decrease your Out Of Pocket (oop) expenses even further, then just buying items on sale or using coupons exclusively outside a sale (though at times you can get good deals). 

I consider a good price for an item worth stockpiling to be priced at least 75% off or more the original price. 

As a side note: there are certain items that are hard/very rare to find priced at 75% or more off (let's refer to those as High Ticketed Items). High Ticketed Items (HTI) may be considered stockpile worthy at 40% or more off. HTIs include: Meat, Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Laundry Detergent, Peanuts, OTC Medicines). If I come across HTI that are priced 75% or more off I will let you know immediately, as they are most certainly worth stocking up on when they are priced this low.

 When items are priced 75% or more it is important to try and stock up on as many of those items as possible. Granted this is dependent upon the number of coupons you can get and/or if the store limits the number of items you are allowed to purchase. But you want to try and get as many you can.

For the most part most Internet Printable (IP) coupons allow you to print at least twice per computer. Every now and then you get the rare ones that let you print more, and some will only allow one per computer. I would guess that 95% of the time you will find you can print at least twice per computer. This means if you have more than one computer in your house, or you can use friends or family computers (if they don't coupon), then you can print off more than two.

It's also important to point out that not only are the number prints per computer limited but most coupons, especially ones directly from the manufacturer's (MF) website are limited to a total number of prints overall, especially if the MF releases a High Value Coupon.  Having said that it is strongly urged that you go and print those coupons off quickly in case the limit is reached quickly, and you miss out on a great savings. Usually I (and other good savings bloggers) will let you know if it is a coupon that should be printed immediately.

Build An Efficient Stockpile

An efficient Stockpile is one that will last you and your family at least 2-3 months, though I personally aim for at least 4 months worth. This is important for all the reason discussed in Part Two of this Series, "Why Is Stockpiling Important?". It's also important to point out that stores cycle their sales. And every item is cycled through at different times and rates. Some products cycle through ever 4-8 wks, while others cycle every 9-12wks. I would say on average most items cycle ever two to three months, however there are a few that can cycle through every 4-6 months. 

Obviously, items that take longer to cycle through sales you will want to stock up more on, unless of course it has a short shelf life, such as produce. By stocking up more on this particular item you should have enough to last you and your family long enough until the next great sale. 

Time It Takes To Build A Stockpile

Every family is different, depending on size and budget. I would say the average size family with an average income of around $40-50,000 a year should be able to build their stockpile within about 6 months time. 

When you start out you will/should start saving at least 40% off your grocery bill, and as high as 50%. It takes time and practice to get The Coupon Strategy down.  But, as I have stated over and over, in the beginning your Needs List will be high, as you begin to build your Stockpile, your Needs list will go down, thus your grocery bill will go down. 

If you have a larger grocery budget then most you may be able to build your Stockpile quicker than some, it just means your grocery bill will actually go up a bit, until you have a sufficient stockpile. But, you will see serious savings in a shorter amount of time. I believe that in the end whether you build quickly or at an average rate it all balances out in the end. 

How Much Is Enough

I don't want to encourage any of you start hoarding :). Please don't turn into hoarders and start buying everything on sale, that's a waste of time, money, and resources. Here's how I see it, ask yourself these questions before Stockpiling on products: 

Do you use this item regularly? If you answer Yes, then stock up enough to last at least 2 months worth, if possible. If you answer No, then ask:  Do you use this item on occasions? If you answer Yes- then buy a few, especially if it is marked at a great price, but don't go overboard. If No, ask: Is it something you or your family are willing to try? If Yes, then get a couple and give them a try. If No, finally ask this: Is this something my friend, family, or community could use? If Yes - then grab a couple and give them away. If No - then pass this item/product up, don't bother buying any. 

There is no reason to buy things just to buy them at a great price. I have to say that since using coupons I now use things I didn't use before coupons, for a few reasons. It may have been an item that did not seem worth paying such an outrageous price for but with sales and coupons I can now afford to. Also, I have been more open minded about trying new products and found some that I like, and some that I don't. At least if I find I don't like a product I haven't wasted a ton of money.

On Monday I will post about Stockpile Price Points: How do I know the right price to Stockpile an Item? I will be giving you a list of prices for items, especially High Ticket Items, that I consider stockpile worthy prices, not just a percentage. Having been a couponer for almost a year now I know that there are certain items that I refuse to pay any money OOP for, as I know I can get plenty of these for free.  Because at some point these items will become free due to great sales and great coupons. And then there are other items I just know in my head a price point for specific items and what the highest is I am willing to pay for. .

On Tuesday I will finish this series on Stockpiling with Clear Out and Make Room: Where Do I Put My Stockpile?

Please if you have any questions feel free to email me or leave a comment on this post and I will be more than happy to answer any questions about Stockpiling as I can. 

Stockpiling 101: Part Four - How do I know the right price to Stockpile an Item?

STOCKPILE PRICE POINTS: How Do I Know The Right Prices to Stockpile?

We have been talking about Stockpiling, and so far we have discussed the following:

     1.  Part One:   What is Stockpiling?

     2.  Part Two:   Why is Stockpiling Important?

     3.  Part Three: Stock Up: How Do I Create a Stockpile?

If you have not read the following articles you may want to start there before reading today's post.

Today we will discuss Stockpile Price Points, and to know the best prices for stockpiling, especially for High Ticketed Items (HTI). As a rule of thumb a good stockpile percentage point is at least 75% less than the original price. We touched on this a bit in Part Three. However, as also mentioned, it is important to note that HTIs are hard to come by 75% or more off their original price. As a quick refresher, these items include:

• Meat
• Paper Products (paper towels, toilet paper, napkins)
• Laundry Products (detergent, fabric softener, fabric sheets)
• Dish-washing Detergent
• OTC Medicines

There are certainly times you can find great sales with great coupons for HTIs. But it is a bit more than most other products. For these products here are my Price Points that I consider Stockpile worthy:

1. MEAT 

• Chicken 
• Breasts: $1.99lb or less
• Thighs, Drumsticks, or Quarters: $.89 or less
• Whole: $.99lb or less
• Beef
• Ground: $1.99lb or less
• Steak: $5.99lb or less
• Round Roast or Steaks: $2.69lb or less
• Cubed Steak: $2.59lb or less
• Ribs: $2.59lb or less
• Brisket: $2.99lb or less
• Pork:
• Center Cut Pork Chops: $2.49lb or less
• Bone in Chops: $1.99lb or less
• Roast: $2.69lb or less
• Ground: $1.99lb or less
• Spareribs: $2.69lb or less
• Bacon: $2.50 package or less

2. Paper Products

• Paper Towels: $4.50, 6pk or less ($.75 roll or less)
• Toilet Paper: $4.50, 12pk or less ($.37 roll or less)

3. Laundry Products

• Detergent (this can vary depending on the Brand)
• Tide Brand: $6.99 for 100oz  or 50% off - tide is the most expensive brand, and in my book the best
• All Brand: $1.50 or less for 32 loads (I have to say though I can find this at $.99 a bottle quite often)
• Those are the only two brands I purchase so I am not sure on the other brands. But I would say at least 60% off on laundry detergent is acceptable price. 
• Fabric Softener: $1.50 or less
• Fabric Sheets: $1.50 or less
• Tide Stain Release: $1.99 or less for the small size OR $3.99 or less for the large sizes
• Bleach: $.99gallon or less

4. OTC Medicines: all prices are based on the smallest sizes available

• Motrin or Advil: $1.99 or less 
• Heartburn Medications: $5.99 or less 
• Allergy Meds: $9.99 or less
• Asprin: $.99 or less (I have seen these for Free frequently)

5. Dish Washer Detergent: $2.99 or less

All other items are worthy of stocking up on when they are at least 75% off. Items that are at least 40% off are worthy of Needs List.

When items hit 90% or more off, go wild and buy as much as you need for a good three to four months worth, or the length of the their shelf life, which ever happens first. Especially if both a high value coupon and great sale happen at the same time.

HIGH VALUE COUPONS

High value coupons are the best and if you come across some be sure to try and hang on to them for as long as you can until a great sale comes along to use them with. Don't be in a rush to run out and use the coupon right away, unless of course you score an amazing deal!

Usually anything over $1.00 is considered high value, but it depends on the product. Also, B1G1 coupons are considered high value, as these often times can get you two FREE items, and/or overage.

Tomorrow we finish this series with Clear Out and Make Room: Where Do I Put My Stockpile?

Please if you have any questions feel free to email or leave a comment for me. I love hearing from my readers. 

Stockpiling 101: Part Two - Why is Stockpiling Important?

*Second Part - I meant to post this last week, but got busy with life and just did not have a chance, I apologize. Here is the second in the series of Stockpiling.


Also - I wanted you to know that I will have two Tuesday's Topics today, so be on the lookout for the second one a little later today!*


Part Two of Stockpiling 101 we will discuss the importance of Stockpiling. Yesterday's topic was 'What is Stockpiling?,', if you did not have a chance to read yesterday's topic you may want to start there.

WHY IS STOCKPILING IMPORTANT?

There are a few reasons to stockpile. 1- it will help cut the cost of your grocery bill along with using coupons and sales. 2 - it creates a reserve for times when your budget may be even tighter than expected due to unforeseen circumstances. 3 - comes in handy when family, friends, or community members are in need. 

Cut Your Grocery Bill

As you begin to build your stockpile with all the Stockpile Items, mentioned in part one of this series, you will find that you won't have to buy items because you need them, instead you buy items because they are deeply discounted and are at their rock bottom prices. 

In essence, not only are having to buy less, but the items you are buying are extremely cheap if not FREE or even time Money Makers (MM). 

My suggestion though is not to stop grocery shopping because you have such a large stockpile, you want to keep your stockpile well stocked, instead even if you are in need of items, which is a place you want to be (the whole point of stockpiling), you will be able to buy only very cheap or free items during the week. If your stockpile get depleted you will find you have to go back into Need mode and purchase items that aren't on sale, and that are at their highest prices, pushing your grocery budget back up. 

Having said that you also don't want to have so much stuff that it goes bad on either the shelf or in the freezer. You just need enough that it will last you and your family for at least 2-4 months worth. Some items can be enough for up to 6 months or more depending upon its shelf life or freezer life. (For instance paper products can certainly last longer than 6 months). 

Create a Reserve

If you talk to most financial experts they will tell you it is important to have enough savings to cover 3-6 months worth of expenses in case unforeseen financial circumstances were to happen (such as a job lay off, sick family member, ect...). 

Think of your grocery reserve in the same sense. By having 3-6 months worth of food/grocery items in your stockpile, if something were to come up financially or otherwise you will have something to fall back on during tough times. This will also assist you financially during tough times. There could be a week or two something comes up that you could use your weekly grocery budget on, because you already have enough reserve to get you through during that time. 

Give Back To Others

The other great reason for having a well established stockpile is to be able to give items out to others in need, such as friend or family or even back to your community. With my stockpile I have family and friends who come by and I am able to give out items they need that I bought lots of because the majority of the items in my stockpile are under $1 and most of those were FREE! 

Also during food drives I have so much on hand that I can reach in and pull out a bag or two of items to give to those who are in greater need. Which as they say "it's always be to give than to receive". I love that I can give and it doesn't take a lot of effort on my part at all, as everything I need to give out is already in my own home, I don't have to run out and make a last minute trip and spend a lot of money, and I am able to give more than I would have without the use of coupons and sales. 

As you can see there are substantial reasons to have a stockpile: to save more money, have a reserve, and to give back to others around you. 

Tomorrow we will discuss How Do I Create a Stockpile?