What is Stockpiling and how to start

I've gotten a lot of questions lately about stockpiling (my method of couponing)- what is it, why do I do it and how expensive is it to start?

What is Stockpiling?

Stockpiling is the method I use when shopping.  If something is super cheap or free, I get as many as I have coupons for.  Instead of a grocery list that includes ingredients for each meal for the week, I will get everything I can that is cheap or free plus the items I need right then.  This way, I don't ever have to actually buy pasta at 2.39 a box or cheese at 3.29 a bag.  I might pay 10 cents for the pasta and 25 cents for the cheese.  But I might buy 10 boxes of the pasta and 5 bags of cheese.  Then I freeze the cheese and put the pasta on the shelves of my pantry.


Why do I do it?
I do this because I want to maximize my savings and avoid paying retail prices for items I can (or could have) gotten at rock bottom prices.  Stockpiling also allows me to cook virtually anything I want any day of the week.  I will always have pasta, cheese, vegetables, canned items, sauces, taco seasoning, or 90% of anything else we eat on a regular basis.  I don't have to worry about running out of something or not having something I need.  But the main reason is that this is the way I have found to spend the least and get the most.

How do I start?

First thing to know: Stockpiling is hard if you are hard-core brand loyal. BUT it can still be useful. 
Getting started might take some time.  If you already have been saving up coupon inserts- that is GREAT! If not, start now.  I get 1 paper delivered to my house each week and if there are inserts I pick up between 3 and 5 more (depending on what is in the inserts).  This is not necessary but if you just have 1 coupon then you can only get 1 of that item.  You don't even have to pay for the paper- just ask friends and family who get the paper but don't use the coupons (GASP!) if you can have the inserts.  

So, now you have the inserts what do you do?  Well, as soon as possible each week I list here on Moola Saving Mom, the best deals I have found at Lowes Foods and Harris Teeter.  Use this list to see if there is anything you use on a regular basis OR anything that is absolutely free.  Even if you won't use the item, grab the free things.  You can always give them away to a food bank OR you might find a use for them (like croutons- we don't eat them with salads but they make GREAT coating for fried chicken or crushed up for topping a macaroni and cheese),

Try and par down your regular list as much as possible to make monetary room for the stock pile items. For example if you wanted some pasta but didn't absolutely NEED it- wait until you can get it super cheap or free.  Cook something else. 

You will start to accumulate shelf stable (pasta, flour, dinner kits) and frozen items (freeze cheese, milk, meats, etc).  Then you won't have to pay full price for these items any more and only buy them when they are on sale!

Using my spreadsheet ("like" Moola Saving mom on Facebook and email her at moolasavingmom@yahoo.com with your FB name to get it emailed to you) will show you the actual cost after coupons!

Somethings you can't help but pay the price on the tag; fresh fruit, veggies, sometimes meat.  BUT your other savings will offset these costs.  In the summer, you can have a garden (even if small) to have your own homegrown veggies. 


What if I don't have any coupons yet?
You can still start stockpiling as you start collecting coupons.  First, ask anyone if they have the papers but don't want the coupons.  There are TONS of people that haven't caught onto couponing (HEY- you used to be one right?) If not, there are still a ton of printable coupons that will get you started.

Next post will be about where to get coupons