I wanted to take the time to update this content to make it clear that EVERYONE should have a stockpile. As Bob Dylan once sang, “The times they are a changin’.” Truer words have never been spoken. It’s currently March 22, 2020 and things are looking dicey. If you don’t have a stockpile, it’s time to open your eyes.
There has always been a stockpile in my house. When I was growing up, my mother had one and when I moved out, Tony and I started one. It’s something I feel all people should have in some form or another. Chances are you’ve heard the term used by couponers and preppers, but what is a stockpile?
Many frugal people talk about stockpiling as do many preppers. The truth is you can be a prepper and stockpile or you can just want to save money and create a stockpile. As you can see the term is used as both a verb and a noun. So, what does it actually mean?
What Is a Stockpile?
Put loosely, a stockpile is a gathering of products that are stored for later use. Merriam-Webster defines a stockpile as, “a reserve supply of something essential accumulated within a country for use during a shortage.” The items may be used during a time of emergency or just to save money. For example, if your family eats chicken breast, you may purchase it in large quantities when it goes on sale so that you don’t have to pay retail price for it. You can then freeze the excess to use at a later date.
What Do People Stock?
You can stockpile anything that has a good shelf-life or can be preserved through freezing, vacuum sealing, or canning. A great example is how our ancestors would can their harvest so they could enjoy the food at a later date. In other words, stockpiling has been around for as long as people have been able to preserve food. In the post, Stockpile to Save Money: The Top Items to Buy, I discuss what I feel are the best items to stockpile.
Where Can I Shop for Stockpile Items?
You can shop anywhere for stockpile items. I feel it’s important to note that you don’t need to buy cases of things at a time. You can build a stockpile by simply buying a bit more each time. For example, instead of buying two cans of corn, buy four. This not only allows you to build your stockpile over time, but it also allows you to do so at an affordable cost. If you are interested in buying cases, big box stores often have sales on canned goods. This is a great time to stock up. This is also a great place to buy bulk paper goods. If you want to shop from the comfort of your home, there’s also Amazon.
Do You Need One?
As mentioned above, I believe everyone should have one. A stockpile can save you money, help you in times of personal emergencies or environmental emergencies (such as tornadoes, snowstorms, etc.) and even make your life easier by cutting down on how often you need to go shopping. You won’t have to worry about where your supplies will come from should you lose your job or not be able to make it to the store.
If you have more questions about stockpiles and stockpiling, leave them below in the comments. And, if you have one already, let us know what you love to keep on hand or buy extras of when the price is right. Also, for more great content, head over to my YouTube channel.