If you’re trying to reduce spending on groceries, personal care items and household essentials, follow my stockpiling strategy to start saving money this month!

Many people associate stockpiles with doomsday preppers or extreme couponers — but we can all benefit from some form of a stockpile.

Stockpiling 101: My step-by-step plan to save you money 

I first got started with stockpiling after touring condos with my realtor about eight years ago. I remember opening up a closet and being blown away by the owner’s organization skills.

No matter whether your home is large or small, implementing a stockpiling strategy is good for your budget.

What I’ve realized over the years is that the more trips to the store that I make, the more I spend. My stockpiling strategy reduces the amount of time I’m at the store.

I stockpile pantry staples, household supplies and personal care items. Here’s an example…

I designated a cabinet down the hall from my bathroom to store personal care items. I have about 10 plastic containers filled with various products.

Here are some of the items I keep in my stockpile: 

• Toilet paper
• Toothpaste
• Contact lens solution
• First aid supplies
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Hair styling products
• Trial size items for travel
• Vitamins
• Soap
• Deodorant
• Sunscreen
• Mouthwash
• Face masks
• Shaving supplies
• Q-tips and cotton swabs

Stockpiling tip: 3-6 month supply

I’ve found that a 3-6 month supply of items is ideal because if your stockpile is too large you may end up with expired health and beauty products.

Stockpiling tip: Get yourself some plastic containers!

I store my personal care items in plastic boxes like these. I know Dollar Tree sells them for $1 each, but I believe I found a multi-pack at Walmart for even less than that.

Stockpiling tip: Label boxes by category

To make items easy to find, I suggest that you label the boxes. Dollar Tree also sells various labels, but I got these at Michaels in the clearance section.

Stockpiling tip: Keep a “Running Low” list 

I picked up this dry-erase board at the dollar store for $1 and attached it to the cabinet door using those Command strips that people hang pictures with.

When I add an item to my “Running Low” list, I start searching the Sunday ads for deals or plan a trip to Costco.

Stockpiling tip: Store items you’ll use daily elsewhere

My stockpiling cabinet is so organized because I don’t open it every day. I keep a smaller supply of the personal care items that I use on a daily basis under the bathroom sink.

Dorm-style organizers like these can also be found at the dollar store for just a buck!

Final thought

Think about it this way: If you don’t have a stockpile and run out of something, you’ll probably run to the nearest store to pick up more supplies without paying attention to the price.

While you’re there, you may start to remember other things you’re running low on and buy them as well.

This stockpiling strategy is a simple way to stay organized and avoid last-minute store runs, which may lead to impulse buys depending on your shopping habits.