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.