How do you Stockpile?
I have received several emails from readers wanting to know how I save the most. There are many methods, but the one way I would say accounts for about 75% of my savings is stockpiling!
What is Stockpiling?
Stockpiling is when you literally stock-up on items that you use the most of when they are at a rock bottom price! Since fruit snacks are something I often stockpile and I got such an awesome deal on them this week at Albertsons, I wanted to share with an example of exactly how I do this.
Ok, so this week at Albertsons I knew I could get fruit snacks for $.10 ea. I live in Southern California, so I don’t know if this is regional, but even so, it is a great example to use on how I stockpile. Since I knew I could get fruit snacks for $.10 ea., I bought 15 boxes!! YES 15 BOXES! I told you my husband laughs at me when I do this! Here is how I did it:
All in ONE trip to the grocery store!
*Each of the coupons in the transactions below are from different locations that you can still print, so if you want to do this sale yourself, you can. You have until tomorrow, Tuesday, March 9, 2010!
Transaction #1:
Buy 5 Boxes of Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks: $1.00 ea.
Use 2 $.50 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks Printable Coupon
Pay: $4.00
Receive $3.50 Catalina Coupon
Final Price: $.10 ea.
Transaction #2
Buy 5 Boxes of Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks: $1.00 ea.
Use 2 $.50 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks Printable Coupon
Use $3.50 Catalina Coupon from the 1st transaction
Pay: $.50
Final Price: $.10 ea.
Buy 5 Boxes of Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks: $1.00 ea.
Use 2 $.50 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks Printable Coupon
Use $3.50 Catalina Coupon from the 2nd transaction
Pay: $.50
Final Price: $.10 ea.
So, basically I ended up paying $5.00 out of my pocket, but I have a $3.50 catalina coupon still that I can use on anthing 
So, I bet you are wondering how I store these…. I remove all of them from the boxes and store them in zip loc bags because they take up less room than all those boxes you see above. I put them in my stockpile cabinet and there you go.
The key to stockpiling is to choose the things you use the most of that can be stored and have a long shelf life. So, for me those things would be toilet paper, paper towels, laundry soap, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, cereal, granola bars, fruit snacks, condiments, bread, cheese, chicken, and ground turkey. I may be missing something, but you get the idea. I have a whole series that I am working on right now for next month where I will walk you through my whole thought process on stockpiling, breaking down my categories, and I am even going to take you inside my stockpile cabinet….CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?! I warn you though….it’s kinda scary LOL….
Please Note: I am not suggesting you stockpile fruit snacks, I am just using this as an EXAMPLE. Everyone’s needs are different, buy what suits your desires and needs for your family
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Me again! Your new reader/biggest fan. Love the post. Notice you put them in large ziploc bags. Just wondering why…easier.to store? I’ve got about 12 boxes in my laundry room as my son is too young for them right now.
Well hello Jenna! I’m gald to have you as a fan :0)
I put them in Zip Loc bags because they take up way less room than all the boxes. Plus, for some reason I think it keeps them fresh longer, but I may just be imagining that one :0) LOL…
Thanks for reading! I am glad to have you as a reader!
Christy,
Coupon Gal
I am so going to Albertsons tomorrow. I am in San Diego area so they should have the same deals! Thanks for the tip
OK…call me dense, but what is a Catalina Coupon?
Sig,
Yes the deal should be the same for you in San Diego….I am eager to know if it works out for you tomorrow
Angela,
I should have explained it in my posting. Basically a catalina coupon is that one you see in the picture above for $3.50. It’s a coupon you can use on absolutely anything in the store except alchool and tobacco. Cool, huh?
You are not dense, silly
Great question! Let me know if you have any more questions.
Christy,
Coupon Gal
Worked in the Chicagoland area.
I was shocked I didnt realize the sale until I went to the register.
I had my coupon book with me.
THanks for the great posts. I watch them daily.
I’m currently stockpiling by taking advantage of discount prices & buy 1 get one free promotions at Winn-Dixie. One example: I currently have 13 cans of Bumblebee tuna. Last week I bought 5 at a discount price of 58cents/can (normall 96 cents) and used a manufacturer coupon for $1/5. Yesterday I took adavantage of the 4 can pack for $3.99 buy1/get1 free and used $1/5 coupon {8 cans for $2.99!}. I also stocked up on spaghetti sauce using $1/2 with a buy1/get1 sale. All in all yesterday got $45 worth of food for $21.45. Yay!!
I’m new to couponing and I enjoy all the great info I get from your blog.
Hi Maureen!
That’s great! I’m glad you had your coupons with you!
Salica,
You saved 50% off your grocery bill yesterday. That is awesome! I bet you went home one happy camper! Those are the shopping days I LOVE!!
Have a wonderful night!
Christy,
Coupon Gal
I’m new as well and absolutelly love your blog. Thanks for all the great tips and info….
Just wanted to let you know I did the same thing today- went to Albertson and bought 10 boxes of the fruit snacks. I’m going back tomorrow for more
Esther- WA
I am so jelous of all you gals who have Albertson’s stores. We don’t have those out here in Tennessee. And where I come from we call it ‘food storage’ not ‘stock piling’.
Thanks for all your great deal ideas and tips. I love it.
I can’t wait to see your stockpile closet. We don’t have a pantry and very little storage space so I don’t have much of a stockpile of food. Beauty products and shampoo are another story.
What a great post!! I’ve learned so much from you and I want to thank you!!
Thanks for all you do for us coupon users!!
Esther,
I am glad to have you as a reader and it makes me happy that you were able to get some fruit snacks too…YAY for coupons!
Sherri,
That is so cute! I love that you guys call it “food storage.” I should use both terms, huh?
Stephanie,
No, it’s not really that bad, but it does need to be organized. We didn’t have room in our house either, so we bought a cabinet a Lowes and it’s in our garage. It works well, because I limit myself to just that cabinet.
I am in the process of organizing my stockpile cabinet so you guys won’t freak out
Buffy,
You are WELCOME! Thank you for saying that! It makes me feel good to know people actually read this stuff and utilize the information. :0) Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Christy,
Coupon Gal
it actually did and even better! A lady behind me in line handed me a Albertsons ad that had two coupons to double your coupon up to a $1.00 so I got 15 boxes for $1.00!!!!! That is only $0.06 a piece! Can´t get better than that, lol…
Thank you SO much for this, I have a three year old and a 4.5 year old and they just LOVE their fruit roll ups
Sig!
That is awesome! I don’t get the albertsons doubler coupons here. Do you know where people get them? I know I have seen them advertised, but never get any
Congrats on such an amazingly AWESOME deal!
Christy,
Coupon Gal
I have no clue… the lady behind me in line just handed me the paper. Wondering if you get it at Albertsons itself… might check it out next time I go.
Sig
how do you know before you buy that you are getting a 3.50 catalina???
Hi Christy,
Just added you on fb! Im pretty excited by what Ive seen so far, I must say!:) I met you at a mutual friends “girls nite in” party almost two years ago when I was pregnant. I remember you talking about your awesome savings by using coupons and I just wanted to say congrats on your website and Im looking forward to saving money! Now that my lil boy is 15 months old, I have a tad bit more time to browse for coupons. Your website is uber helpful and easy to use. Thanks and can’t wait to see your stock pile cabinet!
Hi Mary!!
I remember that night…haha…glad you found some time to come visit my site! I am happy to have you here as a new reader! Let me know if you have any questions!
Have a wonderful day!
Christy,
Coupon Gal
I definitely want to figure this out. One week I’m going to just focus on super saving. I gotta be able to do this at least once.
I save, but not to that extent.
Awh Petula!!
I am glad you read my stockpile posting!! Yes, you could definitely do it! I would love to see pictures of what you accomplish when you do end up giving it a try
I know you can do it! Have a wonderful day!
Christy,
Coupon Gal
What a coincidence I just emailed some friends the yesterday about stockpiling and then ran across your article today. I stockpile all the time. This weekend alone I came away with 19 Free 11 oz. Bottles of Gains new dish washing liquid that was being distributed at Walmart. 20 Free bundles of garbage bags from the library and 8 Free Right Guard Deodorants from Target using a $2.00 off coupon and purchasing 2 $.97 cent travel size Right Guards. We then stopped off at Back Yard Burger and redeemed our two free hamburger coupons. I then came home and cleared some space for all the goodies.
I love to hear that Duana!!!
Thanks for sharing your stockpiling story! That sounded like a really productive day!!
Christy,
Coupon Gal