If there is sufficient storage available and the items will not expire before being used, then stockpiling groceries when they are at the lowest price makes sense financially. When possible, get coupons to build a stockpile that is enough to last until the next sale or coupon, typically at least a couple months. When a favorite item is 50% off or more, then buy as many as possible. The savings add up quickly when shoppers never need to pay retail prices.
Groceries Stockpiles
Before building grocery stockpiles, there are several considerations when evaluating whether or not to stockpile certain items:
- Budget. If it’s a useful product that is free or nearly free, then it makes sense to stockpile. However, if it’s the end of the month and the grocery budget is nearly spent, and stockpiling the item would break the budget, then it may be best to wait for another sale even if it’s a great deal.
- Storage. If there is extra storage and freezer space, it may not matter. But for apartment dwellers and those who own smaller homes, storage space can be an issue. Try to balance stockpiling savings with available storage by buying just enough to last a few months until the next sale.
- Expiration dates. For perishable foods, pay attention to expiration dates. Buy only what could be used within the timeframe, unless it can be put in the freezer.
- Needs and preferences. Some families can never have enough cereal, and a cereal stockpile of 40 boxes may only last a month, so it would make sense to build large stockpiles of cereal. Other households may be smaller and have other preferences, so they would stockpile different groceries in smaller quantities.
Grocery Stockpiling Tips
Here are some tips when building grocery stockpiles.
- It takes time. Start with one item to stockpile. When a good sale and coupon can be combined for a free (or nearly free) useful item, then it’s a perfect item to stockpile. As shoppers build experience, get coupons, and take advantage of weekly deals, they will start accumulating stockpiles of other grocery items over time.
- Stockpile useful items that are easy to store and don’t expire for a while.
- When possible, get rainchecks. If a certain flavor or variety is out, customer service often provides rainchecks, which extends the sale price for several weeks. Rainchecks extend the sale, allow more time to get coupons, and allows shoppers to space out the purchases for better storage space management.
- Get creative with storage space. Couponers often find extra space for stockpiles in other closets or use storage drawers under the bed.
- Only stockpile items proven to be useful and liked by the household. Do not stockpile items without having tried them first.
- Consider giving some extras to family and friends, and making donations. Couponers are often generous with donating to food shelters and charities.
Stockpiling Groceries – Benefits
Grocery stockpiling is not for the faint-hearted. Shopping in a price-based rather than a needs-based manner is a unique way of shopping that seems foreign to many people. However, there are big benefits to stockpiling. Couponers usually need to explain and justify the reasoning and strategy of why they need 40 boxes of cereal. Stockpiling benefits include:
- Saving money. As grocery stockpiles are built, less shopping is needed and shoppers can just buy deals that are free or nearly free for stockpiling. Over time, the shopper will save probably over 50% on average on every day items, just by buying them in bulk with coupons when they are on sale. When the grocery bills are half as much, the savings can go towards other purchases or long-term savings.
- Saving time and providing convenience. Get coupons organized. While couponing takes time to master, it also provides convenience and saves time, too. Grocery stockpiles allow families to “go shopping” in their own kitchen, and saves many last-minute trips to the supermarket for single items. When it’s late and going to the store isn’t possible, family members will appreciate that there are always snacks available, and no one has to go hungry or run to the store.
Stockpile Groceries to Save Money and Time
Grocery stockpiling may be an odd concept for many, but it is a powerful way to save money and time in the long-term. Shoppers can use stockpiling strategies and experiment when building stockpiles of groceries. The convenience and savings of stockpiling can make grocery couponing a serious hobby or part-time job with financial benefits and flexibility for many.
