Building Your Stockpile: Stockpiling 101

[MrsPinecone]

Originally Posted by purplebutterfly Do you all buy something even if you can still get it cheaper in generic?

No, but it's rare that the generic is cheaper after sales + coupons. I never buy anything that we won't use... it's not a deal if you won't use it.

[Sandy M]

Do you keep track of prices to KNOW when you've got a deal of a deal?

This week whole wheat pasta is on sale - $1 for a pkg that is normally $1.50 - I had only 1 coupon but I bought more than that one item because it "seems" like a good deal. BUT, I haven't been watching prices.

I have heard of people keeping price books - I don't have that and as I'm just starting I'm not sure what is a "steller!! fill up your celler" deal and what is a "Eh, that's nice but not the best price" so I don't stock up but get what I need now.

[MrsPinecone]

It's all about the bottom line! What is your best price?

I would never pay $1 a box for pasta of any kind.

You can do a search on price book for the threads on those-- I am of the opinion that they are a complete waste of time.

[flash]

Rock bottom pricing is usually free or close to it, but only after you have a stockpile already built up. Dry pasta keeps almost indefinitely if you keep it dry, so a few extra boxes at a "good" price should tie you over until a great price comes along.

How many, it really depends -- for example, if your family eats three boxes a week, you might want more than 3, but if you eat three a year, it might not be the best use of your space or money.

Price books, well, quite a few people use them. I think it helps when you are getting started, for items that you buy all the time or that are expensive and you don't buy that often. After you have been saving and paying attention to prices for awhile, you will might find you know at a glance what a good price is.

Here's an example: Dreamfields pasta. Excellent. It's around $3 a box here. So...$2 a box seems like a good price. For a few. In a few weeks it might go on sale buy one get one free...so that would be $1.50 each. Better! Then comes the very rare double $1 coupon (for our location), and a $2 sale price, minus a $1 coupon doubled to $2 makes it free. Whoot! Stockpile! Unless I've already got 20 boxes I bought at $2 a box thinking that was a great price...and then I may not have room for more, or if we don't eat it often I may not need more.

If you don't want to keep a formal price book, you can save your shopping lists or mark up your cash register receipts when you get a good price that you will want to refer to again. Or, if you get a great price, take a sharpie pen and write the price on the box when you are putting it in your stockpile...then if you need to remember, just grab the box :)

Most products will have reasonable sale prices every three months, on average.

I'm working on writing up detailed information, but MrsPinecones starter thread in this forum is fantastic to start with!

HTH

[huntersfolly]

hi, i have clipped coupons, have a binder, i am dont getting it on how to "know" where has what on sale and then how to maximize on my coupons i have multis of. help, i am not saving and spending right. Where do i find who has what on sale and cross ref them?

[mandigirl_12879]

As far as freezing goes...is it a good idea if you can find meat on sale to have a vacuum sealer to help when freezing? A local store runs 5 meat items for 10.99 2 or 3 times a year. DH wants to take advantage, but insists that it will keep longer if vacuum sealed.

[Micadiva]

I am moving May 1 my plan is to spend $50 per week for the rest of the year in household items and food, it will be a challenge to stockpile...but I am studying this site to give me some leavage...

My family will be eating 50% fruits and vegetables (fresh or frozen)
I have started practicing with tofu...first recipe turn out excellent

I am replacing it for hamburger right now but soon move up to chicken etc.

I love pasta dishes but only whole wheat or blend of grains

Stockpiling non food items are my objective with prescription gift cards
so really no out of pocket expense...we have fsa at work so all pretax dollars.

Can't wait to take a pic of my success
Oh yeah I am kind of anal I do keep stats of my spending/savings plus I love to brag to family and friends..

[ousooners1]

I am somewhat new to Stockpiling, but I have found that I have had to make some self-imposed rules on buying things for my stockpile. Ex: I have so much Body wash, I won't need anymore for a few YEARS! So my Rule is, it has to be absolutely FREE for me to "buy" it. Shampoos/conditioners, I have quite a few but not as much. So my rule is it has to be under $1 and one of my top two faves. I think these rules have helped me stay in focus on the things I am lacking in my stockpiling.

Also, if you feel like there aren't q's for the foods you're eating, I would also suggest emailing or calling the companies to tell them you love their products. My son has a lot of food allergies, so we have to spend a lot on special foods. So I wrote all the different companies and got some q's, and some Frees as well. I'll probably never stockpile these items because they're quite expensive, but at least I can save a little!

[Mikki 316]

One of the best things I've done is to make a wishlist for things I'd like to stockpile. It keeps me more focused and I'm not as tempted by all the freebies if they're not on my list. I just keep my eyes open for good Qs on those items and watch for a good sale- then decide whether or not the sale is 'stockpile worthy' or not. I'm moving down my list pretty quickly, so it really helps to have a game plan- especially when you're new at all this. Otherwise you end up with 300 shampoo/conditioner, 200 toothpaste.........etc. and no toilet paper or laundry detergent, etc. I also tend to shop in "themes." For the past couple of months, I've found excellent deals on laundry supplies, so that's been my focus. Lots of freebies that I had never noticed before - just took a little planning and staying focused. I did much better this year than last when I was basically a newbie at all this.
So, just make a plan/list and stick to it. Believe me, the deals will cycle through again. It's very, very rarely a once in a lifetime deal.

[jcatblum]

The military note is GREAT -however most know if they are in a window of getting orders or not stocking 6 months worth or maybe a yr is workable- we have been at the same duty station for 10 yrs (yes really). My DH came on orders 6 months out and my first thought was we are not going to be going to the store for any groceries until we move!!! Thankfully his orders were changed and we know we will be here at least 2 more yrs!!!