Stockpile help?

[Angee]

Not sure if this is the right place for this.

I've been using coupons for about a year, nothing big but I'm looking to really starting a stockpile.

I have 2 boys (3&5 years old) and a baby on the way (due July 12)

I really want to start stockpiling as we are most likely going to have to move in the next few months due to my 3 year old needing to go to a school for the deaf which is currently 1 1/2 hours away from us now. And also is a more expensive area. So with that and going on mat leave I want to stockpile as much as I can that we use for my time off.

I just don't know where to start, we live in a small rural area so there aren't many places to find tear pads.

Can anyone give me some suggestions on where to start? Beginners guide to stockpiling ?

Any help would be great!

[SassyAshley]

I started my stockpile a little under a year ago. But did not start to stockpile hardcore until after my Nanny got sick and we really saw the benefits of having it (not having to worry about shopping, always food in the house, even the quick food we never ate I had a few of cause I got an awsome deal and when being at a hospital all day and just wanting to collapse it is surprising how good a frozen pizza looks, plus not many dishes when you are going back the next day).

We have now upgrade from a stand alone pantry in our basement to a full stockpile room (still a work in progess). I found the easiest way to start was to look at the items your family always eats for food and for other items those items you always need. I started out with things like pasta and pasta sauce (we eat it about once a week in our house), cereal (since there is no buying that if it isn't on sale), canned soup (I don't eat it but use it in a lot of dishes as a sauce so we go through it pretty quick) and my cleaning supplies (nothing sucks more than needing detergent and it isnt on sale, especially since there are some brands we cannot use and guess which ones were on sale when we ran out). Slowly as things I knew we used all the time would come on sale and I would have coupons I would go and pick them up. Before I knew it my freezer was over flowing (we are now buying a second one as we see I need for a second one) and our pantry exploded (I had to start lining stuff up on the floor around our pantry).

As for coupons there are a few options, I also live in a small town and more and more stores here are getting tear pads but depending on the store sometimes it seems as quick as they go out they are gone. So everyonce in awhile I roam out of my normal shopping areas just to look for new tear pads. I also trade coupons I find for me a lot of the items I don't use others will and vice versa what I need others won't use. As well check on the trade boards a lot of people offer coupon packages for stamps or small gift cards if you do not have coupons to trade in exchange.

[Esquao]

You've gotten good advice. I too started stockpiling when we were really short on money due to too much debt. We took it one category at a time. example bodywash. We got our coupons together, watched the stores for the sales, and used the coupons at that time. When we figured that part of our stockpile was good. We looked at different areas, like toothpaste, laundry soap, Resolve, baby bodywash, Diapers! We haven't bought diapers or wipes in 6months. Got it all free. We are now going to work on our toilet paper & paper towel stockpile. It makes it easier when you concentrate your efforts on one product type at a time.

[ericaraina]

I suggest trying to trade in the trading forum to get the coupons you don't have access to. I've traded with many people who live in small towns that never get tear pads. Lots of people trade for stamps or gift cards so try following the threads to see who has what you want and who needs what you're wiling to offer.

Take note of your favorite products and start watching price trends. When you discover what the lowest prices are, when they are on sale for that price it's time to start stocking! It's obviously only necessary if you have the space.

Hope this advice helps! I didn't read ever ones responses so I'm sorry if repetitive

[bgheuchert]

Detergent, TP, Paper towels, toothepaste/brushes, dish soap, body wash, razors all super easy to get for cheap and lots of times free. I live in a small town, we have NO tear pads, trading has been super good for me.

[avoncallingu]

I would say if you're going to have a baby, then baby products like diapers are good to stockpile - if you have the room. I am older and don't have kids but I can't BELIEVE how expensive baby supplies are. I see that people join baby clubs in such places as SDM (I'm not sure about this) - but writing to companies that provide baby stuff might get you coupons and/or samples.

Coupon trains and trading is a great idea, in my opinion. Good luck!

[torontogal12]

Great advice given above. What I can add: Do it bit by bit. Start monitoring the prices and when you see a deal that can't be beat buy multiples of the item. Try stockpiling stuff that does not expire before you move onto food. Do stuff like paper towels, toilet paper, bar/laundry/dish soap. I started writing dates on stuff so the Palmolive bottle, or fleecy box or Finish Box all have dates showing when I opened them. That way you can figure out how long a package will last you and you can buy enough to last you as long as you need. Once you are used to stockpiling, move onto food. Food DOES expire, even if it is canned, so don't go overboard right away.

[Darth Penguin]

If you are planning on moving, you need to make sure any stock-pile is worth the move, especially of you are using professnal movers.

it may be better to build a set of coupons and reserve the cash you planning on spending until you are settled rather than paying for transport.

[Angee]

Thanks for all the help.

I have a pretty good supply on personal stuff like shampoo body wash and deodorant.
I've been able to stock up on pasta, Pb, and jam.
I'm going to start working on paper products but have found those coupons hard to find.

I'm not too worried about having to move the stuff as we don't have that much to move, we are in a small 2 bedroom apartment now and some of the furniture belongs to the people we rent from.