Save by spending $5 more a week
Use 'stealth stock up' tactics to build a stash of food, cleaning supplies and toiletries. A few dollars here and there is all it takes.
I've long been a practitioner of what I call "stealth stock up": When things I use often go on sale, I buy more than I need. This can be a huge money saver, given the rising prices of both groceries and the gasoline it takes to go and get them. Investing in loss-leader futures now will pay off in the near future.
Maybe you're thinking: "Buy extra? It's hard enough to keep up with the weekly grocery bill!" But there's a simple trick to making stealth stock up work for you:
Start small. Start really small, if necessary. The longest journey may begin with a single can of store-brand tomato soup. (Post continues after video.)
If you can shake loose $1 to $5 a week, you can build a decent pantry without breaking the bank. Filling your cupboards, freezer and closets saves you money in several ways (more on that in a minute).
Cheap chow and more
I flipped through this week's supermarket and drugstore ads, looking for decent deals. A few examples:
- Protein: whole fryers, 89 cents a pound; peanut butter, $2.49 for 16 ounces.
- Dairy: milk, $1.99 a gallon (you can freeze it); block cheese, $3 a pound (ditto).
- Canned/dried goods: diced canned tomatoes, 69 cents for 14.5 ounces; soup, two for $1; canned beans, 99 cents; spaghetti sauce, $1.99; vegetable oil, $1.99 for 33 ounces; dried plums, $2.49 for 24 ounces.
- Toiletries: deodorant and toothpaste, two for $3; tissues, toilet paper, six double rolls for $3.99; 99 cents for a 100-count box.
- Cleaning/laundry: laundry soap, $3.49 for 75 ounces; "green" laundry soap, $4.99 for 50 ounces; dish soap, 89 cents for 16 ounces; dishwasher detergent cubes, $2.99 for 18.
Try to combine these trips with other errands: doing the weekly marketing, heading out to pick up your kid from a scout meeting, walking past a drugstore on the way to work.
Why stealth stock up?
This saves you money in several ways:
- You can "shop" in your cupboards versus running to the store for one or two things.
- You don't have to settle for a nonsale price when you get there (e.g., those 69-cent tomatoes will be back up to $1.99 a can).
- You won't be tempted to buy other stuff. (Curse you, penetrating aroma of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies!)
- Having the basics on hand can mean the difference between making dinner and making a pizza run.
Besides, it's good to know you won't be at the 7-Eleven at midnight because you just used up the last scrap of TP.
More on MSN Money:
And a word about "codes": While it's best to buy fresh juice and dairy products before the date indicated on the package, the sell-by date on shelf-stable food merely indicates the end of peak flavor.
In fact, there is no universally accepted food-dating system in the United States. No federal law requires expiration dates except for infant formula and some other baby foods.
Thanks for reading, and for leaving a comment.
Good article...I just did this at my Aldi...Whole wheat bread that is usually $1.89 on sale for 99 cents.. This is lhe 12 grain stuff that goes for $3.49 for the name brand..
Didn't really need bread but these will go into the freezer for later use. No need to use $4 gas to run out and get a loaf of bread now....Makes sense to me...
I think the point is that you don't go crazy with it. But having even a small stock of extra items means you can avoid running out and paying retail -- something my husband and I find ourselves stuck doing far too often.
Then, you just restock (in small to moderate quantities) as your supply of a particular item dwindles. Since sales are cyclical, you can just keep a certain number on hand.
I love the idea of a 'stealth stock up'. Until last month I had a robust stock of items purchased at rock bottom prices (or free).
Recent extended family financial setbacks have had me mailing out and delivering many large boxes of toiletries and pantry staples to help get my kin back on their feet.
Now with my newly emptied shelves (well mostly empty) I'm taking your advice and just spending a few dollars a week buying things at their lowest prices to stock up but on a smaller scale this time.
It felt great to help out several families this year and it's a pleasure not to have to run out to the store for this or that because I don't run out of most things I use often.
I started stockpiling last year. Just a mini stockpile-a cube in our walk-in closet for HBAs, a few pantry shelves dedicated to cans, TP and PT dispersed throughout the house. Because I am commission only, and receive a check once a month, the stockpile comes in handy on low income months. Two weeks ago, from the stockpile I pulled: Shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and a bar of soap, and for supper a can each refried beans, green chili sauce and olives. The sense of control is comforting, and there was no panic of, "OMG! we are out of X, Y, and Z and I don't get paid for another XX weeks!"
As Donna mentions, I started slow: Spaghettios (I've since donated those to the food bank) and tomato sauce one month, $1/4 rolls TP and toothpaste the next. Paring on sale items with coupons is ideal.
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