Preparing for the worst case scenario is a mindset more and more Americans are adopting as the civil unrest and tension between folks in our country continues to grow by the day. Having a stockpile of food and other essentials ready for any sort of disaster or “crap-hit-the-fan” kind of event is absolutely necessary not only for survival, but peace of mind. The problem, however, is that building a stockpile is not exactly cheap. Especially in our current economy. When you almost have to sell an internal organ at the checkout line just to get a box of cereal and a gallon of milk, you know things are bad.
One of the best ways to help prevent your bank account from getting hit with a proverbial sledgehammer while preparing your stockpile is through the use of coupons. I know, I know. That’s old school. But if it helps reduce the pain and agony you experience at the supermarket, it’s worth the time and effort to cut and/or print out some savings.
As you’re first starting out your stockpile, you need to take things slow. If you get yourself all worked up and anxious over potential scenarios without tempering that with some good old fashioned common sense, you might think you need to complete your stockpile in one go and that’s a horrible idea. Realistically, you likely won’t have all the cash needed to get everything you require in the quantity you need. Even if you do, you might not have a clue as to how to prioritize which items to get and how many of them you should have.
Also, in order to get maximum savings, try and pair coupons with store sales. If a store allows you to use a coupon to reduce the price of a can of soup while also offering a buy one can, get one free sale, that’s a most excellent way to build up some of your canned items. That’s just an example to give you an idea of what you need to look for when combining coupons and sales. But also check with the store for their policy on coupon use ahead of time to make sure that you can do something like that before filling your cart with a specific item.
Here are a few other tips from Prep’n Skills:
- Organization Is Key: Keep both your coupons and stockpile meticulously organized. Use binders or digital apps for coupons and shelving units for your stockpile to save time and avoid overspending.
- Maintain an Updated Inventory: Implement an efficient system for inventory management to keep track of what you have, prevent overbuying, and ensure your stockpile meets your current needs.
- Regular Review and Maintenance: Set a schedule for regular checks of your stockpile for expired items and reassessment of your stocked items to keep your stockpile useful and up-to-date.
When it comes to storing your items, make sure you use shelving units in order to help you save space. Adjustable shelves will enable you to make room for additional items as you acquire more of the things on your list. And always, always, keep a list of the items you have, the items you need, and the items you plan to purchase before you head to the store on a certain trip.
A great way to go about prepping is to buy more than one of each item during routine stops at the supermarket. It’s killing two birds with one stone.
- I always start by getting to know the stores I frequent. Each one has its own set of rules for using coupons. Some allow you to double up on coupons, meaning more savings. I’ve found that local grocery stores often have special days where they double the value of coupons. It’s like hitting a mini-jackpot each time I shop.
- Keeping track of these rules can seem tricky at first. But, with a little organization, it becomes second nature. This knowledge primes me for the next step, which naturally involves timing.
- Believe it or not, there’s an ideal time to use coupons. I’ve noticed that combining coupons with store sales maximizes my savings. It requires patience and a bit of strategy. For example, if I have a coupon for toothpaste and it’s also on sale at the store, that’s when I strike. This approach has helped me save up to 70% on everyday items. It’s all about waiting for the right moment to make your move, setting the stage for the power move in couponing: stacking.
When first starting out, make sure you focus on items critical to survival such as canned food, rice, and pasta. Get started with all this and gradually build up your shelves and you’ll be ready when disaster strikes.
"*" indicates required fields