The Information Magazine

I never knew the term ‘stockpiling’ even though I have practised it for years until I read Gregory Karp’s book ‘Living Rich by Spending Smart’. In one of the chapters, he mentions that knowing what is on sale and buying only what is on sale is a great way to save.

How do we do that? The first method, according to Karp, is to keep a price list on items you buy regularly. This way, you will know when an item is on sale by comparing the current price of the item with that stated on the list. The next strategy is to load your pantry with sale-priced items. You retrieve the item you run out of from the pantry instead of going to the supermarket to replenish it. 

I happen to stockpile three categories of items- toiletries, bathroom cleaners and grocery. Toiletries will include toothbrush, toothpaste, mouth wash, shampoo, shower gel and facial needs while bathroom cleaners include sink and toilet detergent and odouriser. Whenever there is a sale, I will buy those items with the monthly grocery or toiletries budget I have set aside. I save 20% on such items per purchase. I practise selective buying that is, I alternate the types of toiletries or grocery I buy on sale. For example, if I stumble upon a bottle of shampoo on sale this week, I will buy two bottles and not buy it again for the next few months but will buy other toiletry items on sale that month such as face wash. Currently, I have shampoo, conditioner, cleanser, toner, moisturizer, eye cream and scrub in my drawer, ready to be replenished. It saves me time going to the store and I save money too as I have bought each of the items at sale price. All I need to do is to look out for sale on the items to be replenished on my next toiletry shopping trip.

The same goes for food item. If I happen to see canned tuna on sale that week, I will buy about two cans and stockpile them for use later. I will then look for other sale items to purchase the next week. This is what I call staggered purchase. This will prevent me from overspending on sale items and limit my spending on selected sale items for the week or fortnight. 

Some people buy items they need for the week on sale. However, I buy what is on sale that I know I will use in the next few weeks or months. It is easier to buy what is on sale rather than look for what you need on sale.  So if I were to plan to cook, lets say, Pasta Bolognese for lunch and do a shopping list, I will find that I won’t need to buy all the items on the list because one or two of the items such as pasta and pasta sauce will already be in my pantry. All I need to do is to stock take my supplies to see if something needs to be replenished. So if pasta sauce happens to be on sale that week, I can buy about two bottles to replenish my supply. This will keep my supply available until my next round of pasta cooking.

There are several different ways to approach stockpiling. Some people keep enough food and supplies on hand to last for six months or longer. Some people keep a couple of months’ worth on hand and some only keep a few weeks worth of food and supplies on hand. Karp suggests storing food supplies in the basement but come to think of it how many of us have basements? I would suggest storing supplies in a pantry or in compartment trays such as the ones shown below:

I have a procedure to avoid wastage in which I make a list of the types of grocery I have in my stockpile such as condiments, cereals, canned food, instant soup boxes, bottled sauces/paste, pasta, rice etc.  I will write down the expiry date for each item in that category so I won’t forget to use them if I run out of supply. I tick off what has been used from the list. Also, I arrange my food items in such a way that the ones expiring soon will be placed in the front row of the shelf while the back row will comprise the ones bearing the newest expiry date.

People sometimes ask me what the benefits of stockpiling are and why I would go for the trouble. First, there is the money I save. By buying in bulk and when on sale, I save money over buying the same items in smaller quantities at whatever the going price is on that day. Also, fewer trips to the store mean less time and money spent on transport. Second, keeping a well-stocked pantry means that I always have something on hand to eat so we reduce our spending on eating out. Pasta, chicken sandwiches and stir fry are all quick to make on nights when we come home tired from work.

Stockpiling isn’t for everyone. Those with very limited space may not be able to keep much extra items. And if you are disorganized, watch your supplies closely to make certain you don’t let things expire before using them.

Stockpiling is a practice that most people can derive some value from, if they are willing to put a little time and thought into creating a stockpile system that works for them and minimizes waste.