How to Create a Stockpile of Food Using Coupons

Save money while creating your food stockpile by using coupons.

Many families have a stockpile of food, which is simply excess food collected for future use. This can be done effectively and cheaply through the use of coupons. Some families create stockpiles for emergencies, such as storms or times of economic hardship. Others simply do it to avoid unnecessary trips to the grocery store. Regardless of the reason, with a few simple steps, any family can create a good food stockpile by utilizing coupons.

Things You'll Need

• Coupons

Instructions

1. Create a list of the items you would like in your family's food stockpile. Add a section to list the lowest price of each item. A grocery store's pricing tends to run in six-week increments, with a sale price for each item appearing once during that period. (Note: This is why many suggest holding onto a coupon for a month or so before using it, so you can apply it to the lowest possible sale price.) Take your list with you to the grocery store and chart the prices for your stockpile items. Find the lowest price after your research project and make sure to denote it on your final stockpile list.

2. Search for coupons for your stockpile items. Sunday papers, as well as coupon blogs online, are great resources for beginning coupon users. If you know a sale on your stockpile items is coming up, order additional coupons for the items through eBay or another online coupon clipping service.

3. Ask your store manager for a copy of your favorite store's coupon policy. Many store have restrictions on the number of coupons that can be used, as well as the number of products that can be purchased in one day. Note their policy prior to purchasing items for your stockpile.

4. Start slowly, you do not want to break the bank by going over your monthly grocery budget to build your stockpile. Wait until you have coupons to match a sale price to get the lowest possible prices on your stockpile items. Purchase enough for a full year's supply, if you have enough coupons at a rock-bottom price. Many coupon-savvy folks find that by matching coupons to sale prices, they can get basic items for free or very low prices.

Tips & Warnings

• Sign up for email alerts from your favorite stores. Sometimes, they will mail you additional coupons for an amount off your total purchase, which lowers your purchase price even further.

• Watch expiration dates to ensure that you are purchasing food that will not go bad before you are able to use it. Continuously monitor your stockpile to eat food that is close to the expiration date and replace it with new items. If you find that you have purchased too much food, simply donate the rest to a local charity or to a family in need.

References

• A Full Cup: How to Establish a Food Stockpile