Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Do you stockpile?

So, those of you that know me from Frugal Village won't think I'm odd, but everyone else ~ I hope you will still be my friend and not consider me "that crazy lady with the cereal boxes (or oatmeal in this case!).

I'm a frugal person. My whole life I've loved finding a good deal, but now that I'm running my own household I take this hobby very seriously. Some of my closer friends will tell you that I'm just plain cheap (ahem, Amy Z...are you reading this????) So, in an effort to make the most of my money (so I can buy more fabric!!) I stockpile groceries. I do this so that I can get the things that we use for the lowest price possible. And when I find these rock bottom prices, I buy enough to get my family through until the next big sale. I usually have one big stockpile shop per month and then I just fill in the gaps here and there. It has really helped cut our grocery budget way way way way down. So, I thought I'd share my latest score with you guys.......drumroll, please.




Ben really wanted to be in the picture (and for those of you with eagle eyes ~ yes, I know the calendar on the wall still says June. Its been a busy summer. Don't judge me.) (you can click on the picture for a closer look)

Pictured above is:

~9 boxes of Electrasol Power tabs (.09/ea) ~5 boxes of Aunt Jamima Pancake Mix (.75/ea) ~5 Aunt Jamima Pancake Syrup (.75/ea) ~9 large tubs of Quaker Quick Cooking Oats (1.00/ea) ~21 boxes of instant Quaker Oatmeal Packs (.80/ea) ~3 pkg Jenni-O sweet Italian Turkey Sausage (2.99/ea) ~2 trays of chicken breasts (4.00/ea) ~ this was a needed item and not on sale ~2 boxes of Propel Powder (3.99/ea) ~ a splurge in an attempt to drink more water.

Grand Total (before sale/coupons): $266.86

Total Out Of Pocket: $63.76

Total Savings of: $203.07

If you haven't already tuned out thinking I've completely lost my mind ~ let me know if you'd like to see pictures of the rest of my stockpile ~ or if you would like tips on how to start your own. Truly, its fun! Its like a game, now! :)

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Do you have Grocery outlet stores near you? I make a killing when I go there. Looks like you are the Queen of coupons!

Tiffany said...

Hey! I saw your post earlier so, since you posted on my blog, I thought I would return the favor. :) You did great with your grocery shopping deals!

I haven't found a place for the ironing board yet, but it's one of those pieces that takes priority so I'll find a place for it. I really like the floor lamps, too.

Anonymous said...

Hey, Jess! You are the queen of cheap! Me, too...yeah, right! I have laid off Gymboree if that counts as thrifty. I love you despite your crazy grocery habits and you love me despite my clothes shopping habits:) Miss ya, girl!

Moose Threads said...

how the heck did you do that and tell me how to get in on it. Seriously!

Anonymous said...

Damn Jess! If there is ever a breakfast foods shortage I am coming to your house!
kristen

Sarah and Jack said...

O keep hoping that somehow the magic coupon fairy will bless with me this kind of knowledge. Never happens. LOL

Mary Johnson said...

Well, I am a packrat but I don't stockpile groceries. I really hate grocery shopping so I'm in and out and I don't stop to look at prices (I know that's bad). I typically buy the same brands so I just grab and go.

Unknown said...

I would love to know your secrets! That is an awesome deal!

Lynn

Hi! I'm Traci said...

Hey Jess, that looks pretyy normal to me!! (yes, I am one of her crazy Frugal Village freinds!) :)
WAY TO GO!!

Karen said...

I'd love to know how you did that too!

CAB said...

I'd like some tips for the totally unorganized - I don't always get to go shopping on my own so I'm usually in the 'get in and get out' mode as someone else mentioned. Coupons just seem like a lot of work! Like I said, totally unorganized! And, I tend to buy the same stuff too - it's hard to get out of a rut - how much time do you put into this? Eeek! I looked through the Sunday coupons yesterday evening and thought about the Garlic Toast, but I usually buy the store brand - I can see my grocery shopping trips taking forever if I had to sit and figure out if the coupon would make it cheaper than the store brand, etc. I need help. I'd love to get such great deals, but I just don't know if I have what it takes...time. Also, I don't usually have time hardly to visit one store and it seems from othes I've heard of doing this that they go to 2-3 stores to get all of their "deals" - just no feasible for me.....any thoughts?

CAB
http://oldspillhouse.blogspot.com

Lori in South Dakota said...

I don't stockpile like I used to, but will confess to having 27 cans of chili beans in my pantry once when I counted them. And I still buy things like cake mix and cereal and canned soup when it's on sale.

Tiffany said...

Oh yea! I remember this post. I hope that it will give some inspiration to those who come to start a stockpile.

Yes, I'm doing Good Stuff Thursdays ever week. I always have bargains to share, so I thought I would just add a Mr. Linky for anyone else who wants to do the same.

Tiffany said...

ha! No worries, Jessica. It's a good post with great inspiration. I will certainly leave it up and definitely come back and link today, or you can link again next week.

bingo~bonnie said...

that is A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!! My best friend Heidi is like you - last fall during Kroger's Open House beofre the holidays they had a huge sale and I had seen her earlier in my shopping (not planned at all) and we said hello and chit chatted as we met.. but then went our seperate ways... I was just getting there and her cart was over half full already - anyway while I was shopping I heard in the distance a woman scream... about 30 minutes later when I got up to the checkout, they were still talking about the girl who screamed with excitement.. and I overheard some of it and put 2 and 2 together... on the way home I called Heidi from my cell phone and she was so excited when her bill rang up and saved her over $150! that she screamed with joy! LOL

so Jessica, did you scream when you saved over $200???? :P