Use these tips on how to create a stockpile to stock your kitchen pantry with food and your bathroom with personal care products.
Creating a stockpile is a great way to ensure you always have plenty of food on hand. There are several reasons you might want to consider creating a stockpile. Some people stock up on food and personal hygiene items because they are on a tight budget, scared of losing their jobs, rising food costs, want to be prepared for a natural disaster, or just don’t want to grocery shop all that often. No matter what your reason for creating a stockpile is, there are some ways to make sure you are getting the most for your money! Learn them below along with other tips on How to Create a Stockpile.
How to Create a Stockpile
Buy Low: Grocery stores have some pretty awesome sales! However, these awesome sales are seldom and when they do happen you need to act quick! When you do find a great sale at your grocery store make sure to stock up on any items your family will use. Often times the store has to get rid of something for next to nothing due to an upcoming expiration date. If you can freeze the item, can it, or dehydrate it then I suggest stocking up!
One of the items that gets deeply discounted several times a week is chicken, pork, ground beef and steaks. The stores have to sale these by the sale by date or they are forced to throw the food away. You can purchase any meat item and freeze it. Next time you are in your grocery store ask the butcher what days of the week they typically mark down meat items.
Use Coupons: Combining coupons along with rock bottom grocery store prices could mean getting stuff for free or almost free. Anytime you can get something free or close to free, stock up! Keep in mind that you should only stock up on things your family will use. Stocking up on items that you will not use only takes up valuable space. You can often find condiments, personal hygiene items and food items for free or almost free. Be sure to check out How to Start Using Coupons if you are unsure where to start.
Start Slow: If you don’t use coupons or come across any great grocery store deals, just start slow. Every time you go grocery shopping try allocating $20 of your budget to creating a stockpile . Adding a little extra money to your budget will allow you to pick up extra items every shopping trip. If you are able to do this you will see your stockpile start to grow.
Stay Organized: It is easy to go overboard when you are creating a stockpile. The best way to keep track of what you have and what you still need to buy is staying organized. You can create any organization system that works for you, but create one! Some people like to create a spreadsheet and others like to just keep a handwritten list. Here is a free printable pantry inventory list that you can use if you wish. Here are more tips for Keeping Track of Kitchen Inventory.
It is also important to keep your pantry and cupboards organized. If you can’t easily see what you have and don’t have you might end up spending more than you need to. Place new items at the back and pull newer items to the front. This will help ensure that food is consumed in a timely manner and doesn’t expire while sitting in your cupboard. Here are more tips on How to Organize Your Pantry.
Do you keep a stockpile of food and personal hygiene items on hand? If so how do you save money when shopping for your stockpile?
More Ways to Save When Stockpiling
10 Ways to Save on Groceries without Using Coupons
Diane says
Your post if filled with great info. We have enough non-food items for 2 years and enough canned and boxed food for 1 year, all of which was bought on sale.
We have a chest freezer that I stock with about 4 months of meat at a time by purchasing a package deal from the local butcher shop. He cuts, trims, and wraps everything the way I want (such as thin pork chops). His prices are slightly lower than the grocery store.
A stockpile gives me the freedom to wait for a good sale rather than pay full price because I ran out of something.