General Stuff about Shopping (Stockpiling)

My main goal when shopping is not necessarily to buy what I will be needing for that week but buying the best deals. This, of course, is a little easier after you have a stockpile. I try to maintain 3-6 months of things that won't go bad. Examples are: toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, laundry detergent, shampoo, razors, diapers, wipes, deodorant, air freshners, cleaning products, toilet paper and like stuff. I get all of these items free or nearly free and when I find that "perfect" deal - I get as many as I can. Then, I don't have to worry about that item for "x" months unless another great deal comes along.

The same concepts works for groceries. There are plenty of items that will last a really long time so when you find a great deal on those get as many as you can. After doing this for just a little while you will have more wiggle room in your budget to get more and more of the deals.

You have to change the way you think about groceries and how and what you eat. First, stop eating out. I know it's fun but it's not necessary. There are many meals that you can fix in 15 minutes and even more in 20-30 minutes. Take your lunch to work. Pack snacks for when you go out with the kids. Sometime when you are cooking - cook two - put one in the freezer.

You have to re-think the way your plan meals. You have to learn to shop for what is the best buy and then cook from what you have. This is the opposite of what most people do - decide what you want to cook and then shop for those items. It takes a little getting used to but once you have your stockpile growing you can usually cook what you'd like to have because you will have most things.