Stockpiling on a budget

[lmurphy09]

I am on a budget for grocery shopping and am therefore having a hard time with deciding whether or not to stockpile or just buy what is necessary.

Is there anyone out there that is managing to stockpile on a budget and that has any tips for me?

Thank You in advance

[californiashopper]

Yes, I am on a very strict budget, and I have still managed to get a good stockpile. It was really slow at first because there were so many things that I NEEDED to buy that weren't always even on sale or with a coupon. But I just started out by tracking the prices at all of the stores near me and buying the things I needed at whichever store had the lowest prices or sale prices. At the same time, I would choose a few of the best deals each week on my non-need items. That way I was at least getting a few extra things each week. Also, I re-evaluated my needs items and crossed things off my list or delayed them, hoping for a sale, whenever possible.

At first it was really hard because I would make my needs list, make my deals lists and then figure out my totals (since I was continually price checking at every store I went to, I had a pretty good idea what everything on my list was going to cost). I would always end up being over my budget, so then I would have to go back over my needs list and see what I could cross off or delay and go back over my deals list and choose which things I could let go.

But gradually I was able to start going after more deals because I had a few things stockpiled, which lessened my needs list. And gradually I was able to increase the deals and decrease the needs until now I rarely buy anything that's not on sale at a great price, and usually with a coupon. Even the things that there aren't often coupons for, like meat, I'm now able to stockpile when the prices are at their lowest. I also usually buy only whatever produce is on sale, and I buy bread off the "stale" rack (it's usually still good for several days, and by then we've eaten it).

HTH, and good luck! Just remember that it DOES take time before you start seeing a real difference, and it can be frustrating at first. But it gets easier the longer you do it.

[r2short]

Hi and welcome aboard. The great thing about couponing is that you can actually spend less money and create a stockpile with some careful planning and a little homework. It may take a bit to get where you want to be at first, but it will come in time.

My husband is laid off right now, so I have a very tight budget. Funny thing is...we have a lot more in our pantry now than we used to.

Make sure you know what you want to spend and stick to it. I keep track of what is in my pantry and freezer, and use coupons in combination with the sales ads to plan my meals for the week or weeks ahead. For the most part, I don't really buy anything that is regular price...most everything has been bought on sale and with a coupon. I've also learned to buy meats only on sale or at a mark down.

When it's affordable, I do buy extra. Those items in turn make my budget work better latter on. Hope that helps somewhat.

[debl08]

I too was on a strict budget when I started, my stratagy was to make a list of things that we use every day I started with the 10 most used and started my stockpile with those would pick one. Depending on which there were deals on, stocked that one, then on to the next and usually didn't take any more or very little out of my budget and as someone else said sometimes you re-evaluate what you need that week and have something that can be substituted already in stock.And if needed can cut corners on something else to build that stock of items that week. Take a good hard look at what you already have in the cupboard, pantry and freezer. Sometimes your inventory has been overlooked like a box of crackers that has been continually pushed back, or that pkg of frozen meat that has taken too long to thaw or cook, and can be used instead of buying more that trip? By tackling your stockpile one item at a time you may soon find that you can afford to stock 2 items and then 3 and so on, it really does work out over time. Don't give up. I find too that those items that are free are a no budget buster, so I always pick those things up and if I can't use them later in some way to reduce expenses, I donate them. Good luck, chin up and stick to it, it'll happen.

[californiashopper]

Originally Posted by debl08

Take a good hard look at what you already have in the cupboard, pantry and freezer. Sometimes your inventory has been overlooked like a box of crackers that has been continually pushed back, or that pkg of frozen meat that has taken too long to thaw or cook, and can be used instead of buying more that trip?

Excellent point! I definitely did this also when I was first starting out with trying to stockpile. Each week when I would plan my menus and make my lists, I would look through everything I already had and figure out if I could use it and thus reduce my expenses that week and leave a little extra for stockpiling on the best deals.

[loveadeal]

It will get easier it has only taken me 2 months to stockpile for 4 months for the winter. I have given myself a challange to not buy food during the winter I will only buy the items that you can't stockpile ie: deli meat, bread, milk. I am doing this so I can pay my fuel bill. I have stockpiled mainly only using coupons. I have a ton of health and beauty I think I am stocked on deodrant for at least a year. I have about 10 peanut butters stocked among alot of other food. I am also on a budget while I am trying to stockpile for the winter. I can only spend $150 a week sometimes less and I have been walking out of the store with at least $400 worth of food. It does get easier as you go along. Good luck and happy stockpiling!

[jillynoodle]

i stock up on anything that turns out free or very cheap that week...so if a store has shaving cream or whatever that week and it works out to be free with coupons i will go to that store three times or how many times depending on how low i am on that product...i have a total strick low budget these days so im so grateful i started a year ago doing this because i have everything non food stocked up and some foods to where i could go to the store and just buy meats and produce i need for that week and walk out...but of course with the extra i save i throw in all the frees and cheaps i can get...i do have tons of toothbrushes and pantyliners and toothpaste etc and those i will still get and just donate them...so planning a stockpile isnt how i did it i just stocked up on the sales that week and overall has made my shopping so easy if i am having a busy week...so nice to not have to run out for detergent or shampoo....i would say dont pass up the frees for the week around you and if you come across a really good deal buy as many as you can that you can store....also this should be said that i get at least five to ten papers a week...i think this would nt be possible without doing that or having a clipping to get coupons from...good luck on your stockpile...you cn do it with a small budget it just takes time but before u know it you will be amazed at what you wont need to buy for a year!!

[twinsplus14me]

I would say it took me a good 3-4 months to get my stockpile started because I only had about $30 a month to put towards all H&B supplies, toilet paper, paper towels and laundry detergent. I started a year ago, and am now confident that we have enough of those products to last for at least 6 months.

I was just telling dh last night that I feel so much better going into winter this year because we have a stockpile built up. ( We live in the boonies and when it snows, I can't exactly run to the store for something without it being a huge undertaking.)

DH took a huge cut in pay last year and I have been unable to find a job that will pay enough to pay daycare and have anything left over. But, I've been able to stockpile on very little money. Keep watching all the sales and eventually everything will go on sale that you need, you just may not be able to be loyal to a brand. It gets much easier after a few months.

If soup is on sale or free this week....make everything you can with it. Next week, use whatever is on sale as creatively as possible. Meat is a huge portion of our grocery budget because dh must have the protein. If it was just me and the kids, I could probably cut our budget in half. Try serving salad and pasta a couple nights a week. Tuna casserole is a great cheap meal.

[mugbuddy]

thanks for these posts! I teach coupon classes and one of the most common comments besides the "time" issue is this one. I tell folks that it will take a little bit longer to build up a stockpile, but it IS possible.
Anyone have a "plan" laid out step-by-step?

[csimon99]

Originally Posted by lmurphy09

I am on a budget for grocery shopping and am therefore having a hard time with deciding whether or not to stockpile or just buy what is necessary.

Is there anyone out there that is managing to stockpile on a budget and that has any tips for me?

Thank You in advance

Thank You for asking this question.I myself have been wondering if it's even possible to start a stockpile if funds are limited to begin with.