Stockpiling - What is it and how do you do it?

What is a stockpile, and why would you want to do it?  Stockpiling is when you find that great deal on a product you use often, and then buying as much of it as you can.  When you can stack a store sale, with a coupon and possibly a rebate, many times you can get your products for pennies on the dollar, and sometimes even for free!  When that happens - grab as many of the product as you can, and store for future use.  This way you are not dependant on store sales, nor are you forced to pay a higher price for something you normally use and ran out of, but it isn't on sale at the time you ran out of it!

Stockpiling is a great way to reduce and manage your grocery budget and it's also a great way to keep supplies on hand (reduces trips to the store to pick up last minute purchases and cuts down on ordering out when there’s “nothing good to eat for dinner”.

The definition of a stock·pile (stkpl)

(n.)  A supply stored for future use, usually carefully accrued and maintained.
tr.v. stock·piled, stock·pil·ing, stock·piles
To accumulate and maintain a supply of for future use.

The best products to stockpile are: household cleaners, laundry products, personal hygiene products, canned and dry goods (non-perishables).  Always be sure to check your expiration dates when purchasing in bulk, and remembr to rotate your stock (just like the stores do by putting the newer stuff behind the older stuff, because it's not a deal if you end up not using it in the end. 

Another key to stockpiling is keeping track, in your head, in a notepad, on your iPhone, wherever is easiest for you, of the cheapest prices ever available for things you use regularly. That's how you know WHEN to stock up on your products.

The problem with stockpilling is storage space. Finding a place to stash a few months worth of toilet paper can be tricky, but if you can get creative and make room, you'llfind that the effort is definately worth the trouble. Stack toilet paper under beds. Get yourself a big rubbermaid tub and fill it with deodorants and toothpaste and stick it in a closet. Fill a crate with liquid dish detergent and set it on a laundry room shelf. 


Those with a large stockpile of groceries always will always have an abundance of food and other items on hand, and many of the items were likely picked up on sale at very low prices. Such an abundance makes it easy to bless others who are less fortunate.  Possibilities include donating to church or community food banks, sending care packages to the troops over seas, helping newlyweds stock their pantries for the first time, and the provision of free groceries and other items for friends and family members in need. Stockpiling is not hoarding for those who have a generous spirit and heart to help others in need!

Building up your stockpile of groceries is an excellent way to save money on and manage your grocery budget. It’s also a great way to always have plenty of food on hand to prepare meals on the fly, not to mention a way to be poised to help others through times of financial difficulty.