Stockpiling 101: How to build a Stockpile to save money
8/10/2011Stockpiling 101: How to build a Stockpile to save money
A stockpile is simply buying more than what you need for immediate use when prices are extremely low, so you don’t have to pay full price in the future. Stockpiling is the KEY to successful couponing!
Here are my tips for building your stockpile.
1.) Buy only what you like and will use
It is important that you only stockpile items that you know your family will actually use. Don’t buy 20 bottles of salad dressing that your family has never tried before. My husband only uses Degree Deodorant so I will not stockpile other brands of deodorant, even if it’s free. By purchasing that deodorant I am just preventing someone who could actually use it from buying it. Unless you plan on donating those 100 tubes of free toothpaste there is no point in purchasing them.
2.) Buy Multiples of Items
To start a stockpile you will need multiple coupons. In order to get multiple coupons, you will need to purchase multiple Sunday papers. I recommend purchasing 4 Toledo Blade Sunday papers each week. We have an awesome Coupon Queen special right now where you can purchase additional Sunday papers for $1.00 each.
3.) Sales Cycles
Know the stores sales cycles. Most products typically go on sale every 8-10 weeks. If you 8-10 weeks of items when they go on sale, you will have enough to last you until the next sale. If your family goes through 1 box of cereal per week then you would need to purchase 10 boxes of cereal to last your family until the next sale.
4.) Watch expiration dates
Make sure to keep an eye on the expiration dates of items in your pantry. Make sure rotate the older items to the front when you purchase more. Keep in mind that everything has an expiration date – even toothpaste!
In closing, I really want to encourage you not to go overboard when you start stockpiling. It is very tempting to purchase tons of items when they are free. Just remember the product will go on sale again!