How much do you need to stockpile?
Figuring out how much you need to stockpile can be a tricky thing. Even if you don’t use coupons, it is still good to know how much your family goes through each week, so you know how much you need to buy when you go shopping. Here are a few tips to keep you organized and to get you started on keeping track of how much you need to stockpile.
- The first thing you will want to do is print out this Stockpile Tracking Sheet that I have made for you:
- Once you have it printed out go and hang it on your fridge or panty door. If you have your pantry in a different location then your kitchen, then I would recommend putting one on both your pantry door and your fridge so you make sure and write down everything.
- In the fist column write down the name of the item you are using (even if its toiletries, dish soap or food, everything you use and store)
- In the second column (“we have”) write down how many you have in your house right now
- In the third column (“we used”) keep track of many you use throughout the week by putting | marks in the column for each one you use. | = 1 item.
- At the end of the month total how many | marks you made in the “we used” column and add them up. If you only want to do one sheet to get an idea of how much you use throughout the month (NOT recommended) then you can take this number and times it by four to see how many you would approximately use in one month, at the end of the week.
- You can take your “we have” column and subtract how many you used. If you used more than you had, then put the negative number because that means you probably bought more. This way you will know that you ran out.
- The last column (“need to get”) represents how many you need to get in order to have your three months supply. To figure out this number, take the amount used in one month and times it by three. (this will give your three months usage estimate). Once you have that number, subtract how many you have left. If this number is negative add the numbers together. This will tell you how many you need to buy next time there is a stock up sale so that you can avoid paying full price for them.
EXAMPLE: you used 5 in one month, so times 5 by 3 = 15. You had 2 left in your pantry, so you will need to buy 13 to have a three months stockpile for that item.
EXAMPLE: you used 8 in one month, so time 8 by 3 = 24. You only had 5, so you bought three. That means you don’t have any in your pantry and you need to buy 24 to have a three months stockpile for that item.
Figuring out how much you are using will not only cut your spending, but it will also make you more aware of how often you are going shopping. You will be able to know how much you really are using and stop over buying (or under buying at the sales).
I recommend a three months supply on most items because that is about how often the stores cycle the sales. Some items will only be on sale once a year and others will be on sale every week.
Also, be sure to cycle your stockpile regularly. Don’t put the newly bought items at the front, move them to the back and bring the older ones to the front to be used to avoid spoiled or outdated food and toiletries.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment and I will answer it the best I can.
I just started my stockpile, so this will come in handy, thanks:)
Wish I had a pantry like the one shown in the picture. My stockpile is spread out everywhere. I need organization and space!
Thanks for the handy sheet. Right now I’ve been working by memory so this will help.
I’ve been looking for one of these spreadsheets! Thanks
Just started clipping coupons yesterday! it was time consuming, but hopefully worth it in the end.