The Coupon Challenge

Hampton Roads (Virginia) Coupon Blog

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
  • Coupons 101
    • Couponing Basics
    • Stock-up Price Guide
    • Printable Coupon Planner
  • Shop Smart
    • Amazon Deals
    • Retail Deals
    • Freebies >>
      • Birthday Freebies
      • Free eBooks
  • Find Coupons
    • Coupon Database
    • Printable Coupons >>
      • Coupons.com
      • RedPlum.com
      • SmartSource.com
      • Hopster.com
  • Frugal Living
    • Budgeting 101
    • Eliminate Debt & Curb Spending
    • How to Save Money at…
    • “Other Uses” Articles
    • Crafts
  • Recipes

Couponing Basics: How to Build a Stockpile

by Dana Zeliff on September 2, 20102010-09-02
in Frugal Living, Getting Started

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

The key to building a stockpile is to match a coupon with a sale to purchase items at a “rock bottom” price (or the lowest price.)  You need to purchase as many of the product as you will need to hold you over until the next sale which will likely be about every 6 weeks.

*Note:  I said to purchase enough to hold you over until the next sale; not the next 3 years.

Why should you stockpile?
  • Reduce your grocery budget (spending $0.24 on toothpaste vs $2.99 really adds up!)
  • Saves time and gas, you could occasionally skip grocery shopping
  • Prepare for the unexpected (sickness, weather, job loss)

What can you stockpile?
You can stockpile non-perishables (such as canned goods, dried beans, pastas, etc), cleaning supplies, detergents, personal hygiene products, feminine care, toilet paper, and etc.  You can also utilize your freezer to stockpile meat, bread, produce for cooking, prepared meals, and much more.

How do you start a stockpile?

–Determine usage: Determine approximately how much your family will use of each item in 6 weeks which is when you will likely see another sale.

–Stay within your budget: If you are just starting out, you may not have additional funds to work with. I routinely spent my entire budget when I started building my stockpile.  If your budget is already tight, try to allow a few dollars every week just for stockpiling.  Even $5 could make a huge difference in the long run.

–Make a price book or list: The most effective way to know when an item is at the lowest price is to know your local prices.  I have a list of my Goal Prices and my Goal Prices for Meat.

–Be patient: Building your stockpile will take time!  You need to wait for the sale cycles to come around and reside yourself to the fact that your stockpile won’t be complete in a week (or 5!)

–Try not to be brand specific: We all have our preferences, but you’ll be able to make the most out of the store deals if you’re not loyal to particular brands.  I really don’t care what canned tomatoes or cereal I buy.  However, we can only use Tide and All free and clear laundry detergents.  Over time, you’ll learn what is important to your family.

–Get multiple coupons: You need to be able to buy multiple of each item when they are at a “rock bottom” price in order to build a stockpile.   If I have 4 coupons to match up with a fantastic sale, that’s 4 products that I don’t need to buy later.  You may want to get extra coupons for products that you use frequently.

–Shop multiple stores: Split your time between multiple drug stores and grocery stores.  I shop at CVS, WAGS, Farm Fresh, Harris Teeter and occasionally Kroger and Target.  I DO NOT shop at all the stores every week!  I simply don’t have the time or energy.  I pick the best deals from each store and get to as many of those stores as I can.

–Limit quantities:  Think about what your family can realistically use or donate.  It’s not a deal if it gets thrown away.  Also, don’t clear the shelves.  Remember to be respectful of other shoppers.

–You’re shopping trips will look lopsided: Eventually you should already have most of the items you need each week, so when shopping you’ll be rounding out your menu plan and stocking up on the best deals.  I recently had a trip where I bought granola bars, sweet moments, miracle whip and a few other things.  Nice combination right?

–Don’t overdo it: Your time is money and your first priority is your sanity and family.  It is very tempting to run around to every store week after week trying to super size your stockpile (been there, done that!)  I quickly learned that I wasn’t doing myself or my kids any good.  I stepped back and realized that there will always be another deal.

A few of my stockpiled items:
Toothpaste = 14
Men’s Deodorant = 16
Women’s Deodorant = 6
Pasta = 20
Cereal = 15
Ketchup = 4
Dish Soap = 9
See tips on How to Organize Your Stockpile too!
What are your tips for building a stockpile?

 

Filed Under: Frugal Living, Getting Started

Comments

  1. One Mom says

    September 2, 2010 at 11:50 am

    Great ideas!! http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/2010/09/thrifty-thursday.html

    Reply
  2. Julie says

    September 2, 2010 at 2:51 pm

    It pays to shop around when stockpiling. I used to only go to store x and y. Now I will go where the deal is. Why pay $.50 for pasta at one store when you can pay. $.03 at a different one. Just like being brand flexible helps, being store flexible makes all the difference too.

    Reply
  3. Janay says

    September 2, 2010 at 3:38 pm

    I probably would save more money if I spread my shopping trips amongst more stores. I tend to shop at Food Lion most because, well, I work there. It's convenient. But I know that if I'm not buying something on sale, then I'm not getting a good deal.

    I agree with being brand flexible. Many times the store brand is very similar to the name brand. Other times the ingredients are exactly the same if you take the time to read them.

    Thanks for this post!

    Best regards
    Janay
    http://foodlioninsider.blogspot.com
    http://janaygreen.blogspot.com

    Reply
  4. Coupon Teacher says

    September 2, 2010 at 8:21 pm

    Great summary of how to build a stockpile.

    Reply
  5. Kat says

    June 26, 2012 at 8:52 pm

    Thank you for the post. Harris Teeter has now gone to a 3 per same item limit and 20 couons per day. I’m sure it’s frustrating for the coupon moms, but I hate to show up on a Thursday and have nothing left in stock, wish they would add more. Saturday they restock but it’s gone again! LOL I did the ball park franks and got 22 packs and paid all of $15 for all 16 packs for named bran, really can’t beat it…20 cents for pack of Simply Hashbrowns (which I make potato salad out of) only 4 packs left in 3 stores near me, lol!!!!!! Yikes……. Did everyone take my potato salad recipe!!!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. How to Save Money on Produce says:
    December 23, 2010 at 7:29 am

    […] – Pair a sale with a coupon to score free or cheap frozen veggies.  Make sure to stock up! […]

    Reply
  2. Harris Teeter Meal Ideas: Pork Lo Mein & Chicken Marinara says:
    January 21, 2011 at 9:57 am

    […] Farm Fresh ad later today.  Remember that some of the ingredients listed you may already have in your stockpile, so the cost for the meal would be […]

    Reply
  3. Top 10 Ways to Save On Back-to-School Supplies says:
    July 21, 2012 at 6:03 am

    […] Check your stockpile before hitting the store.  Avid coupon users will likely have a few of the required items already […]

    Reply
  4. How to Save Money at Whole Foods Market - The Coupon Challenge says:
    October 25, 2012 at 6:58 am

    […] Whole Foods Market offers weekly specials throughout the store.   Plan your menu around and stockpile these savings to maximize your budget.  You can find the sale products with a yellow […]

    Reply
  5. Save Money on Hurricane Preparedness says:
    October 27, 2012 at 8:39 am

    […] the food:  A huge expense after a hurricane is the lose of refrigerated and frozen food.  If you stockpile, chances are you have a significant amount of value in your freezer.  If you don’t have a […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


BGt

Shop Amazon

Let’s Cook








Categories

Join Me on Pinterest!

About The Coupon Challenge

Hi! I'm Dana, the writer behind the scenes of The Coupon Challenge, a Hampton Roads, VA based coupon blog. I'm a wife and mother of 2. After getting out of debt we started using our savings to travel together as a family and create memories.

Are you looking for ways to save your family money? I strive to help you save on the products you need, so you can spend more on the things you want. Read More about Dana & Family

Best of…

:: Weight Watchers Banana Bread Recipe
:: 16 Other Uses for Listerine
:: Quick Easy Chocolate Frosting Recipe
:: Busch Gardens Williamsburg Discount Tickets
:: Yankee Candle Printable Coupons
:: Printable Snack Coupons

Copyright 2015 The Coupon Challenge. All Rights Reserved.

Proudly Hosted by WP Covered using the Genesis framework.
Disclosure & Privacy Policy