Having a stockpile of items is one of the best ways to ensure you always have what you need and save money by not always having to go to the store.
But I know a lot of people either aren’t familiar with using coupons to maximize savings, or are just plain too busy! And stockpiling doesn’t have to involve going to Sam’s Club and buying the big boxes.
Would you be willing to set aside $5.00 a week to help build your stockpile?
This method doesn’t involve waiting for the perfect sale or printing out tons of coupons.
All you have to do is spend $5.00 on as much of a specific item as you can each week to fill your pantry.
Included in this list below is 18 items you can buy in a rotation to ensure you never run out! It’s amazing how much you can stockpile with $5.00 a week.
Customize this list to fit your family’s needs, and in whatever order you need to. If you use whole wheat flour, buy that instead! If you don’t buy canned veggies, buy frozen!
The list below consists of things that I personally buy for my family. I bake my own bread/rolls, so a lot of what’s below is used in my baking.
And in some cases you may want to save your $5.00 for the next week for items like toilet paper if you buy the bigger packages.
Week 1: Flour
Week 2: Sugar
Week 3: Baking powder/soda
Week 4: Vegetable/olive oil
Week 5: Yeast
Week 6: Shredded cheese
Week 7: Salt
Week 8: Butter
Week 9: Toilet paper
Week 10: Cream of chicken soup
Week 11: Tissues
Week 12: Boxed pasta
Week 13: Canned crushed tomatoes
Week 14: Canned tomato paste
Week 15: Canned diced tomatoes
Week 16: Canned corn
Week 17: Cream of mushroom soup
Week 18:Paper towels
When you reach week 19, you can start all over again! I use the “Cream of” soups for cooking, and the canned tomatoes are used for spaghetti sauce.
What are YOUR favorite items to stockpile? Share in the comments below!
Jaime is a Nutrition Coach through the ISSA and professional writer. She has 4 years experience coaching and 9 years experience in writing. She enjoys cooking easy meals, running, and learning more about food.
Jaime specializes in helping women with ADHD learn to meal plan and cook healthier meals without getting overwhelmed.
Sandi M
Friday 13th of November 2020
I stock pile pure vanilla extract, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and several other spice. I also do cases of water.
Jaime
Saturday 14th of November 2020
Those are all super good ideas!
Trudy
Tuesday 14th of July 2020
I would probably buy more beef bullion and French onion soup than the cream soups. They seem to be in short supply since March. The same can be true about chicken broth and beef broth.
Sandi M
Friday 13th of November 2020
You can make your own broth and freeze it in ice cube trays. I believe 1 cup is equal to a quarter cup. It's not hard. When you boil your chicken take the chicken out but save the water. Season it according to taste and let simmer for 2 hours. I let mine simmer overnight. Refrigerate it and skim the fat off. Veggie broth, save your scraps and cook them in water. Simmer the same way. For beef, collect the droppings and do the same as Veggie broth.
Jaime
Wednesday 15th of July 2020
Oh wow, I didn't realize there was a short supply!
Thrifty Thursday {Week 106} - Living Well Spending Less®
Sunday 3rd of February 2019
[…] Homemaking} 6. A Cultivated Nest {9 Tips for Sticking to Your Budget} 7. No Getting Off This Train {Build a Stockpile with $5 a Week- Without Coupons} 8. My Stay at Home Adventures {5 Things You Shouldn’t Say to Someone} 9. Frugal Debt Free […]
Kelley
Tuesday 17th of April 2018
I save up and watch for the twice yearly case lot sales. They are better deals for us where I am in Canada as there is significantly less couponing here.
Just don't think you have to get to a significant pantry all at once. Keep the size of your family in mind so you can rotate through it and not throw stuff out because it expired or went off.
I kept a smaller stocked pantry than I really wanted to for years as I did not have the money to just have sitting there on my shelf as the budget WAS THAT TIGHT.
So I always could throw 2 or three extra meals together in a pinch or a nice company meal. I could bake a cake or cookies and muffins galore and my own bread if needed.
There just was not a lot else in it other than extra dry goods so I did not run out of TP at 11pm . lol. I had the next one to open of everything else.
Jaime
Tuesday 17th of April 2018
I've never seen a case lot sale! That's cool that you can get some really good deals from that. =) You're right about keeping your family size in mind; we're only a family of 3 and I feel like I need the entire grocery store! It's hard to get that balance.
Betty Stevens
Saturday 10th of March 2018
Dollar Tree had/has Hunts organic petite diced tomatoes for 2 for $1.00 so I bought a case of them the other day. Whenever I see a good deal on something like that, dry beans, etc, I buy it to put in my extended pantry. People buy insurance for their home and car, so building a stockpile of food with $5.00 a week is like food insurance in case of an emergency. :-) Love your blog!
Jaime
Saturday 10th of March 2018
Thank you! =) I think I've actually seen those diced tomatoes at Dollar Tree; it's such a great deal!