Stockpiling 101 - What is Stockpiling? - Part One

Example of a Stockpile

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.


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. I try and make note when the price of items on sale with coupons is stockpile worthy, I also try and distinguish between prices that are Need Items vs. Stockpile 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.

Tomorrow I will talk about Why is Stockpiling Important?