The Stockpiling Philosophy
If you have ever run to the store to buy items that you know will be on sale next week, but you need them this week, you might want to consider establishing a "stockpile". "Stockpile" is the term used in the couponing world to refer to storing large quantities of an item when it is at a rock bottom or free price (by combining sales with store coupons, manufacturer coupons, and other promotions). Generally you want to store enough of the particular item to last you until the next time you will be able to stock up again. Stockpiles can be small or large depending on the needs of your family.
Location of stockpile
You will need a space (or multiple spaces for your stock pile). At first this will probably not be an issue, but as your stockpile grows space is an issue for many couponers. Personally, I use my bathroom closet for toiletry stock piles, under my bed for diaper stock piles, I have two large freezers for freezer stock piles, and I converted our coat closet into a pantry stock pile. Other ideas include the basement, garage, and spare bedrooms, be creative!
Types of products for your stockpile
Paper goods and toiletries make great stockpile items, as do most shelf stable foods. If you have storage freezers than you can also stockpile freezer fool, meats and cheeses like I do. You can stock pile almost anything your family uses an abundance of if you are creative in how you store it, but you need to be aware of the storage dates. Always keep a rotation so that the things that need to get used first are in the front and will get "grabbed" first.
How do You Build You Stockpile?
Check out the post last week on Couponing 101 for tips on building a Stockpile.
Shop Like A Stockpiler
Stockpilers often walk out of a store with 20 boxes of cereal and nothing else, this may seem odd at first, especially if you are used to doing one grocery shopping trip per week. But keep in mind how long those boxes will last your family. Your routine weekly shopping trips to one store may gradually turn into a few quick stops at multiple stores to take advantage of different deals. This is the normal routine of a serious stockpiler.
I will say however, that you do not need to do this in order to stockpile. You can simply take advantage of the deals that are available to you at your regular weekly store, it will just take you longer to establish a stockpile, which is fine.
Let Others Benefit From Your Stock Pile
Since you are often taking to time to make these extra trips anyway. Any buys multiples of "free" items. Keep in mind that in addition to the needs of your family, you can think about friends, family, and organizations that can benefit from your stockpiling abilities. If a box of cereal costs you little or nothing out of pocket, consider picking up a few extra boxes for your favorite charity. This is also a great way to clean out your stockpile and make sure that things get used before they expire.
Do you have any Stockpiling tips? If so please post them.
Next weeks post...How to know when some is a "stock up" price.
If you have ever run to the store to buy items that you know will be on sale next week, but you need them this week, you might want to consider establishing a "stockpile". "Stockpile" is the term used in the couponing world to refer to storing large quantities of an item when it is at a rock bottom or free price (by combining sales with store coupons, manufacturer coupons, and other promotions). Generally you want to store enough of the particular item to last you until the next time you will be able to stock up again. Stockpiles can be small or large depending on the needs of your family.
Location of stockpile
You will need a space (or multiple spaces for your stock pile). At first this will probably not be an issue, but as your stockpile grows space is an issue for many couponers. Personally, I use my bathroom closet for toiletry stock piles, under my bed for diaper stock piles, I have two large freezers for freezer stock piles, and I converted our coat closet into a pantry stock pile. Other ideas include the basement, garage, and spare bedrooms, be creative!
Types of products for your stockpile
Paper goods and toiletries make great stockpile items, as do most shelf stable foods. If you have storage freezers than you can also stockpile freezer fool, meats and cheeses like I do. You can stock pile almost anything your family uses an abundance of if you are creative in how you store it, but you need to be aware of the storage dates. Always keep a rotation so that the things that need to get used first are in the front and will get "grabbed" first.
How do You Build You Stockpile?
Check out the post last week on Couponing 101 for tips on building a Stockpile.
Shop Like A Stockpiler
Stockpilers often walk out of a store with 20 boxes of cereal and nothing else, this may seem odd at first, especially if you are used to doing one grocery shopping trip per week. But keep in mind how long those boxes will last your family. Your routine weekly shopping trips to one store may gradually turn into a few quick stops at multiple stores to take advantage of different deals. This is the normal routine of a serious stockpiler.
I will say however, that you do not need to do this in order to stockpile. You can simply take advantage of the deals that are available to you at your regular weekly store, it will just take you longer to establish a stockpile, which is fine.
Let Others Benefit From Your Stock Pile
Since you are often taking to time to make these extra trips anyway. Any buys multiples of "free" items. Keep in mind that in addition to the needs of your family, you can think about friends, family, and organizations that can benefit from your stockpiling abilities. If a box of cereal costs you little or nothing out of pocket, consider picking up a few extra boxes for your favorite charity. This is also a great way to clean out your stockpile and make sure that things get used before they expire.
Do you have any Stockpiling tips? If so please post them.
Next weeks post...How to know when some is a "stock up" price.
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