5 Items to Stockpile in November for Beginners
As the weather cools and the holidays approach, November is the perfect month to start stockpiling key items that will help you get through the winter season. Not only will you find better deals, but by planning ahead, you can avoid scrambling for essentials later. But how do you know when to buy and where to find the best prices? Let’s break it down.
Why Stockpile in November?
November is all about preparation. It’s the time when stores begin offering seasonal sales, especially leading up to Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Many items, from food to cleaning supplies, are heavily discounted during this period, allowing you to stock up at lower prices.
Stockpiling helps you:
- Save money by taking advantage of holiday sales and bulk discounts.
- Reduce stress by avoiding last-minute shopping trips.
- Stay prepared for winter weather, illnesses, and holiday gatherings.
Now that you know why November is ideal for stockpiling, let’s go over the top 5 items you should focus on—and the tools you can use to get the best deals.
Tools, Apps, and Sites to Help You Plan Your Stockpile
- Honey (browser extension): Automatically applies coupon codes at checkout and tracks price changes for items you’re interested in.
- Rakuten (website and app): Offers cashback on purchases from a variety of retailers. Combine this with sales to save even more.
- Flipp (app): Helps you find weekly ads from your local stores and compare prices on the items you need to stockpile.
- Coupons.com (website): Provides printable and digital coupons for groceries, household goods, and seasonal items. While it doesn’t display prices, using these coupons at participating stores can help lower your overall costs when stockpiling.
- Walmart+: A subscription service that offers benefits like free delivery, fuel discounts, and access to exclusive deals. It’s a good option if you shop frequently at Walmart and want to save on grocery delivery fees. Get 30 days free trial here!
Top 5 Items to Stockpile in November
When it comes to preparing for the colder months and holiday season, it’s important to focus on items that will help you stay stocked up and save money. From pantry staples to cleaning supplies, these five categories cover everything you’ll need to get through the winter months comfortably and stress-free. Below are the top five items to stockpile in November, each offering practical and budget-friendly solutions for your home.
Please note: The estimated prices provided are based on common sizes and quantities found in grocery stores, and factors such as personal diet and store location may affect actual prices. For the most accurate prices, use apps like Flipp and apply savings through Coupons.com to reduce costs.
Item | Why to Stockpile | Average Price (per unit) |
---|---|---|
Non-Perishable Foods | Essential for winter meals and quick fixes | $1.50 per can (14.5 to 15 oz vegetables) |
Holiday Baking Supplies | Perfect for holiday treats and baking projects | $3.00 per 5 lb bag (flour) |
Seasonal Produce | Long-lasting and nutritious for hearty recipes | $0.70 per lb (potatoes) |
Paper Goods | Useful for holiday hosting and everyday use | $1.00 per roll (paper towels) |
Cold and Flu Medications | Important for winter illnesses and preparedness | $8.00 per 8-12 oz bottle (cough syrup) |
1. Non-Perishable Food Items
If you’re new to stockpiling, you might be wondering what exactly non-perishable foods are. Simply put, non-perishables are food items that can be stored for a long time without going bad. Unlike fresh foods that spoil quickly, non-perishable foods can last for months—or even years—when stored in a cool, dry place. These are great to have on hand for emergencies, last-minute meals, or even just reducing your number of grocery trips in the winter.
Some examples include canned vegetables (14.5 to 15 oz cans), beans (either 15 oz cans or 1 lb bags of dry beans), rice (1 lb bags), pasta (1 lb boxes), and canned soup (10.5 to 15 oz cans). These items are perfect for making hearty, filling meals during the colder months. November is the perfect time to stock up on these items because many stores offer sales leading up to Thanksgiving and during Black Friday.
Why Stockpile Non-Perishables in November?
By purchasing non-perishables now, you can take advantage of seasonal discounts. Stores often have promotions on canned goods, dry pasta, and soups during this time, making it an ideal month to build your stockpile without spending a fortune.
Here’s a list of popular non-perishable items to get you started:
Non-Perishable Item | Why to Stockpile | Average Price (per unit) |
---|---|---|
Canned Vegetables | Easy for winter soups and casseroles | $1.50 per 14.5-15 oz can |
Beans (Canned or Dry) | Protein-packed and versatile for winter recipes | $1.00 per 15 oz can or $2.50 per 1 lb (dry) |
Pasta | Simple, quick meal base that stores well | $1.20 per 1 lb box |
Rice | A staple for hearty, filling meals | $0.80 per 1 lb |
Soup (Canned) | Convenient for cold weather and emergency meals | $2.00 per 10.5-15 oz can |
Stockpile Tip: Use tools like Flipp to track your local grocery store’s weekly ads for discounts on non-perishable food items. Combine store sales with coupons from Coupons.com to save even more.
2. Holiday Baking Supplies
With the holiday season around the corner, it’s a great time to stock up on holiday baking supplies. Items like flour (5 lb bags), sugar (4 lb bags), baking powder (8-10 oz canisters), and canned pumpkin (15 oz cans) are often marked down in November, especially leading up to Thanksgiving. Spices like cinnamon and nutmeg (1.5-2 oz bottles) also see discounts during this time.
Baking Item | Why to Stockpile | Average Price (per unit) |
---|---|---|
Flour | Essential for baking everything from cookies to bread | $3.00 per 5 lb bag |
Sugar | Sweetener for baked goods and holiday treats | $2.50 per 4 lb bag |
Baking Powder | A must for fluffy cakes and cookies | $1.25 per 8-10 oz canister |
Spices (Cinnamon, Nutmeg) | Common for seasonal pies and desserts | $2.00 per 1.5-2 oz bottle |
Canned Pumpkin | A fall favorite for pies and cakes | $3.00 per 15 oz can |
Stockpile Tip: Consider Sam’s Club or Costco for bulk purchases of baking essentials to get more for your money. Their sales and discounts often make them a better option than Amazon for these items.
3. Seasonal Produce
Fall produce like potatoes, squash, and sweet potatoes can last for weeks when stored correctly, making them perfect for stockpiling in November. These items are often priced per pound, making them affordable staples for winter meals.
Produce Item | Why to Stockpile | Average Price (per lb) |
---|---|---|
Potatoes | Versatile and long-lasting for winter meals | $0.70 per lb |
Sweet Potatoes | Great for holiday dishes like casseroles | $0.80 per lb |
Winter Squash | Nutritious and can be stored for weeks | $1.00 per lb |
Onions | Staple for soups, stews, and casseroles | $0.60 per lb |
Carrots | Perfect for soups, stews, and roasting | $0.90 per lb |
Stockpile Tip: Local farmers’ markets are great for buying seasonal produce in bulk. Visit them to get fresh, long-lasting produce for your stockpile.
4. Paper Goods and Cleaning Supplies
Holiday gatherings usually mean more guests, and that leads to more cleaning and the need for extra paper goods. Stockpiling items like toilet paper (bulk packs with rolls around $0.50 each) and paper towels (60-70 sheet rolls priced around $1.00) in November ensures you’re prepared.
Paper Goods | Why to Stockpile | Average Price (per unit) |
---|---|---|
Toilet Paper | Essential for everyday use and holiday hosting | $0.50 per roll |
Paper Towels | Useful for cleaning and spills | $1.00 per roll |
Napkins | Handy for holiday meals and gatherings | $2.00 per pack of 250 |
Cleaning Supplies | Helps keep your home fresh for holiday guests | $3.00 per bottle (cleaner) |
Stockpile Tip: Use Rakuten to earn cashback on paper goods and cleaning supplies at retailers like Target or Walmart. Stack these savings with store promotions or loyalty program discounts.
5. Cold and Flu Medications
As flu season peaks, having cold and flu medications on hand can be a lifesaver. Stock up on essential items like cough syrup (8-12 oz bottles), fever reducers (100-count acetaminophen bottles), tissues (120 sheets per box), and hand sanitizer (8 oz bottles) now so you’re not scrambling when you need them most.
Medication/Supply | Why to Stockpile | Average Price (per unit) |
---|---|---|
Cough Syrup | Helps relieve cough symptoms during flu season | $8.00 per 8-12 oz bottle |
Fever Reducers | Reduces fever and discomfort | $6.00 per 100-count bottle (acetaminophen) |
Tissues | Must-have for runny noses and colds | $1.50 per box (120 sheets) |
Hand Sanitizer | Important for flu prevention | $2.00 per 8 oz bottle |
Vitamin C | Immune-boosting during cold and flu season | $5.00 per 100-count bottle (500 mg tablets) |
Stockpile Tip: Set up price alerts using the Honey browser extension to get notifications when medications go on sale online.
Final Thoughts
Getting started with stockpiling in November doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By using apps, tools, and websites like Flipp, Rakuten, Honey, and Coupons.com, you can find the best deals and start building your stockpile smartly. This way, you’ll be ready for winter and the holidays without breaking the bank.
What are you adding to your November stockpile? Share your list in the comments!