Need to replenish your stockpile? Now is the time. Many stores are offering grocery stock up sales and promotions on pantry foods. Grab your grocery store flyers, make your list and get shopping.
Step 1: Clean Out Your Pantry
Before you head out to one of the many grocery stock up sales out there, first take the time to see what you already have. You can discard anything that is expired or hasn’t been used in a year. Donate anything that is still good and toss the rest.
I like to take everything out and dust the shelves, too, but the main thing is to figure out where the gaps are and fill them while the stock up sales are going on.
Step 2: Make a List
Make a list of what items you need to fill up your pantry. Try to get specific, if you can, according to your family’s needs. For example, if you go through two cans of cream of mushroom soup a month then list at least six cans to get your through the next three months. If you have ample storage, you may want to double that, since the canned soup has a long expiration date.
Step 3: Match up the Sales
Grab your grocery store flyer (or two) and start matching the sales to your list. The stock up sales usually last for a couple of weeks and offer different items each week, so don’t be disheartened if you don’t find everything that you need on sale in any given flyer. Shopping at more than one store will increase your chances of filling your pantry.
Step 4: Break Out the Coupons
Take a look at your coupons and match them up to your sales whenever possible. This will give you extra savings. Make sure that you review the coupon rules for your store. Some grocery stores offer double coupons, and some grocery stores will only double the first coupon of the same type of item.
Step 5: Go Shop
Keep to your stock up list while you shop for the most savings. Enjoy your full pantry.