What Is Stockpiling? | Guide | Stockpile Definition and Benefits and Tips

Don’t Know the Stockpile Meaning? We Will Define Stockpile

Ever wondered what stockpiling is? You may have heard friends, family, or people on TV shows talking about this phenomenon. It is not necessarily the “norm,” so we want to define stockpile with our stockpiling definition.

In fact, the TLC show “Extreme Couponing” has made stockpiling more and more of a common household activity.

So this will be your guide to stockpiling. We will go over everything you need to know to define stockpile and even start your own, including:

• A stockpile definition (there are actually many ways to define stockpile, so we will focus in on specifically what we are talking about)
• Benefits of stockpiling
• Tips for building up your stockpile
• A discussion on the legality of a stockpile sale

Perhaps you only need a stockpiling definition to better understand the phenomenon or perhaps you are interested in becoming a stockpiling pro yourself—either way our stockpile definition and explanation will help you!

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A General Stockpile Definition

The most basic stockpiling definition comes from Merriam-Webster:

“A storage pile: such as a reserve supply of something essential accumulated within a country for use during a shortage or a gradually accumulated reserve of something.”

But the concept of a stockpile actually has many meanings, as you can see with this stockpiling definition from Investor Words:

“The storage of something in order to have it available in the future if the need for it increases. In international economics, stockpiling occurs for speculative purposes; by governments to provide for national security; and by central banks managing international reserves.”

And here is a stockpile definition from Business Directory:

“Disaster mitigation process in which essential inventory items are identified, procured, and stocked beforehand.”

As you can see with each stockpiling definition, a stockpile can technically be any stored items to have for the future. That can be as big as international economics…but it can also be personal in your own home.

And that is the stockpile definition we are focusing on here.

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Our Stockpiling Definition

What we are focusing on with this guide is home stockpiling, so here is our stockpiling definition:

Stockpiling is setting aside non-perishable food items, drinks, home products, personal hygiene products, over-the-counter medication, and more for future use by you and your family/close friends.

As you can see, this stockpile definition is something anybody can do in his or her own home. And many already do for two common reasons:

• For some people the stockpile meaning is being prepared for an emergency or national disaster.
• For other people the stockpile meaning is a method of saving significant money on groceries.

We will get into the specifics of each of these ways to stock pile below.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Stockpiles are normally found in people’s basements, garages, pantries, extra bedrooms, etc. There will be shelves with organized goods. This can range from thousands of items to only a few extras.

Benefits of Creating a Stockpile for Preparation

For many years the public’s stockpiling definition was centered around one big idea: being prepared for any potential disaster.

Stockpiling allows you to have everything you need if a disaster were to hit, whether that is weather, attack, etc. Normally this allows you to live for a few days to a few months without being able to access a grocery store, doctor, electricity, etc.

Real Simple shares a list of top foods to include when you are doing emergency stockpiling:

• Peanut butter
• Whole wheat crackers
• Nuts and trail mixes
• Cereal
• Granola bars
• Dried fruits
• Canned tuna/chicken
• Canned vegetables
• Canned soups
• Bottled water
• Sports drinks
• Powdered milk
• Sugar, salt, pepper
• Vitamins (for nutrient loss)

Other items often found with emergency stockpiling are: camping supplies (like a stove and lantern), weather-appropriate clothing, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, over-the-counter medications, extra prescriptions of your necessary medications, etc.

Stockpiling is also helpful in non-disastrous, but still inconvenient situations—like a blizzard that keeps you inside for a few days.

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Benefits of Creating a Stockpile for Money Savings

When we talk about our stockpile definition as it relates to saving money, it is often associated with couponers or “extreme couponing.”

The average grocery budget for a family of 4 is somewhere in between $786 and $1,195 per month. We are talking easily more than $12,000 a year!

Stockpiling this way works like this:

• Any time there is a massive sale or incredible couponing deal, you do not only buy one or two of that item—you may buy 10, 20, or 100.
• You put those items in your organized home stock pile for whenever you need them.

The idea behind this is you never need to buy anything at full price. Once that incredible deal comes on dishwashing detergent, you won’t have to buy detergent for the next 5 or 10 years.

For many people these days, this is the primary stockpile definition: a collection of low-price items that sit in shelves in a basement or pantry.

Feel free to start this process slowly. If you are not sure where to start finding these stock pile worthy deals, check out The Krazy Coupon Lady website.

Often, stockpilers are getting these prices by joining great sales with double coupon days.

Other Stockpiling Benefits

Many people actually start stockpiling to accomplish both of the benefits above at once. There are also a few other reasons people have for stockpiling.

Convenience: Having food items in the house can limit the number of trips you need to take throughout the month. You can also avoid that last minute, “Oh no we are out of toilet paper!” frenzy. When you have the items you need on hand, you have more freedom.

Fluctuation: Many reasons can cause the cost of food and other goods to go up; by focusing on stockpiling, you are not nearly as affected by these fluctuations.

Giving: When you have so much, you are more capable of giving to those in need. This is a great option for those who do not normally have enough money to give as much as they would like to. If you boost up your stockpiling skills, you can offer them to schools, churches, or food kitchens, so they can have their own collection.

Peace: At the end of the day, no matter what the stockpile meaning is for you, it brings peace to many people. They feel comfortable that their families are being cared for at a reasonable price.

Top Stockpiling Tips

More than just understanding a stockpile definition and benefits, it is nice to know some expert tips before you start stockpiling.

Here are six stockpiling tips to keep in mind:

Stay realistic: You never need 1,000 tubes of toothpaste (unless of course you donate them). And you do not want 1,000 bags of candy. You will still spend money on your stockpile, so only purchase the items that will genuinely benefit you.

Create or download a price sheet: Expert couponers say an item should be at least 70% off the retail price before you consider stockpiling. Keeping a handy price sheet can help you know when you have found a deal worth stockpiling.

Pay close attention to expiration dates: If the product you are about to start stockpiling has a nearby expiration date, avoid it. The goal is not to add more to a landfill. Also go in to your stockpile every few weeks and move almost-expired goods to the front.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

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Add a freezer: Most of the time, your stockpile should focus on non-perishable items, but sometimes you can also find great deals on produce. And in case of a emergency, you may want meat or dairy products. Adding a freezer to your collection gives you this option.

Stay organized: By nature, stockpiling needs organization for it to work. You need to clearly see and be able to reach each item. A messy stockpile could lead to wasted money and a chaotic home.

Get creative: Open your mind to possibilities and be open to new ideas. If you think you may try to have a baby next year, why not stockpile diapers and wipes now? Think about clothes, books, paper, pens, etc.

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Is a Stockpile Sale Legal?

Here’s the short answer: a stockpile sale is illegal. Coupons themselves even prohibit the idea. Of course, they are unethical too.

It goes back to our stockpile definition: the company is offering this large discount to help you and your family save money. They are not giving it to you so you can earn money off the product they created and made with a stockpile sale.

Additionally, selling food items, cleaning supplies, medicine, and etc. from a home stockpile sale would violate countless health codes. There is nobody overseeing you to guarantee you are not selling dangerous products in a safe environment.

So if you can’t have a stockpile sale, what can you do if you have built it up too big? If you know you cannot use it all before the expiration date? If you are not going to use up everything you have, there is a great option other than a stockpile sale.

You can donate your items!

Food kitchens, women’s shelters, children’s programs, schools, etc. would absolutely love to benefit from your incredible stockpiling skills.

Conclusion—Stockpiling Definition

Now that you have a good stockpile definition, understand the benefits of stockpiling, have a few tips to start your stockpile, and know a stockpile sale is illegal—you can begin to create your own stockpile.

Feel free to make your own stockpiling definition. Your collection does not have to look like anyone else’s collection. Maybe you only focus on bathroom products, or maybe you only have one shelf filled with smaller items.

The goal is for you to find peace of mind with stockpiling. Make the stockpile meaning work for you.