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We are due some money soon, what should I stockpile?

59 replies

PinkyU · 28/01/2023 10:48

We are due to receive a back payment of a few hundred pounds, as we’re really struggling with food bills I want to stockpile a number of essentials.

I’m unsure where the best place to look is. We’ll get cleaning and hygiene supplies from Costco in bulk but I’m not sure they’ll be the cheapest for food.

I’m thinking:

Frozen meat and fish
Frozen veg and fruits
Passata
dried herbs and spices
rice
pasta
potatoes and onions (storage bags)
eggs (how best to store)
noodles
flour
peanut butter
oil
cereals/porridge

I’m also thinking of buying clothing bundles on eBay or vinted in the next size up for my dc as it’s unlikely we’ll manage new clothes over the coming year.

Anything I’m missing?

OP posts:
ToDoListAddict · 28/01/2023 11:00

Not sure what Costco prices are but Amazon do 60 toilet rolls for £22
Tinned goods would be a good option due to shelf life - baked beans, soup etc

I don't think eggs really last that long to stockpile tbh but I'm not an expert so I could be wrong

PinkyU · 28/01/2023 11:06

ToDoListAddict · 28/01/2023 11:00

Not sure what Costco prices are but Amazon do 60 toilet rolls for £22
Tinned goods would be a good option due to shelf life - baked beans, soup etc

I don't think eggs really last that long to stockpile tbh but I'm not an expert so I could be wrong

I’m quite reticent about using Amazon at the minute, but ultimately morals take a back seat to having full stomachs etc.

I’d actually completely forgotten about tinned foods, we don’t use much but they’re definitely going to be helpful. Thank you.

OP posts:
SeasonFinale · 28/01/2023 11:07

Why not save it for energy bills

Rowthe · 28/01/2023 11:08

Beans

Shampoo.
Soap.
Toothpaste.

BarbaraofSeville · 28/01/2023 11:12

Also toiletries, laundry and cleaning products.

If you're already a Costco member, I think their toilet rolls are probably the best in terms of price/quality as the rolls are longer than average. The price per roll is comparable or possibly even slightly higher (£16 for 40) than the Amazon price quoted but the Amazon ones might have fewer sheets, so check carefully.

As for the other things, you either need to have a good memory, or do some research into unit prices for the things you buy. Trolley.co.uk is good for comparing supermarket prices.

If you buy basmati rice, the 5 or 10 kilo bags often work out much cheaper per kilo than smaller packs - last time we were in Costco they had 10 kilos of Tilda basmati for £14, I didn't buy it because I wasn't sure it was a good price, but checking later, it was.

Costco is also good for things like eggs although limited stockpiling opportunity, some canned goods but by no means all, herbs and spices if you go through them quickly.

But you don't have to spend all the money at once, you could use it to drip feed into a more cost effective approach to grocery shopping.

We shop for the storecupboard and freezer, not what is to be used week to week (except fruit, veg, milk, eggs) and buy multipacks of non perishables when on offer, so the price per unit is often half what it would be if you bought standard sized packs as and when they were needed them. We also get larger packs of meat and split into meal sized packs for the freezer.

Once you get into the swing of things, you just start looking out for another offer when stocks start to run low, so it can be topped up before you're forced to pay full price. You can also spread the cost, so tend to buy laundry detergent one week, toilet paper the next, rather than buying a small quantity of everything more often.

Chasingsquirrels · 28/01/2023 11:13

Consider the storage costs against savings - eg frozen items require electricity.
Tinned and dried goods will be okay, as long as they are things you'll actually use.

What kind of quantities are you thinking about?
A few weeks, months, years?
While inflation is obviously increasing the cost of goods, stockpiling is only sensible to the extent that you can safely store, will use, and expect a return.

PinkyU · 28/01/2023 11:13

Rowthe · 28/01/2023 11:08

Beans

Shampoo.
Soap.
Toothpaste.

I’m thinking buying shampoo etc in bulk will be the most cost effective, I’d seen some good deals in home bargains but I’m thinking there must be some where we can get it cheaper.

OP posts:
PinkyU · 28/01/2023 11:15

SeasonFinale · 28/01/2023 11:07

Why not save it for energy bills

We’ve prioritised energy bills which means our food bill has had to be cut, stocking up on foods would seem the best use of the extra cash.

OP posts:
PinkyU · 28/01/2023 11:17

BarbaraofSeville · 28/01/2023 11:12

Also toiletries, laundry and cleaning products.

If you're already a Costco member, I think their toilet rolls are probably the best in terms of price/quality as the rolls are longer than average. The price per roll is comparable or possibly even slightly higher (£16 for 40) than the Amazon price quoted but the Amazon ones might have fewer sheets, so check carefully.

As for the other things, you either need to have a good memory, or do some research into unit prices for the things you buy. Trolley.co.uk is good for comparing supermarket prices.

If you buy basmati rice, the 5 or 10 kilo bags often work out much cheaper per kilo than smaller packs - last time we were in Costco they had 10 kilos of Tilda basmati for £14, I didn't buy it because I wasn't sure it was a good price, but checking later, it was.

Costco is also good for things like eggs although limited stockpiling opportunity, some canned goods but by no means all, herbs and spices if you go through them quickly.

But you don't have to spend all the money at once, you could use it to drip feed into a more cost effective approach to grocery shopping.

We shop for the storecupboard and freezer, not what is to be used week to week (except fruit, veg, milk, eggs) and buy multipacks of non perishables when on offer, so the price per unit is often half what it would be if you bought standard sized packs as and when they were needed them. We also get larger packs of meat and split into meal sized packs for the freezer.

Once you get into the swing of things, you just start looking out for another offer when stocks start to run low, so it can be topped up before you're forced to pay full price. You can also spread the cost, so tend to buy laundry detergent one week, toilet paper the next, rather than buying a small quantity of everything more often.

Fantastic tips, thank you. I’ll need to be a bit more organised than I’d anticipated I think.

OP posts:
PinkyU · 28/01/2023 11:22

Chasingsquirrels · 28/01/2023 11:13

Consider the storage costs against savings - eg frozen items require electricity.
Tinned and dried goods will be okay, as long as they are things you'll actually use.

What kind of quantities are you thinking about?
A few weeks, months, years?
While inflation is obviously increasing the cost of goods, stockpiling is only sensible to the extent that you can safely store, will use, and expect a return.

I’m thinking at least 6 months worth of foods and (hopefully) 1 year of things like shampoo, detergent etc.

We do a 4 week meal plan currently so I’d need to increase that to prevent wastage. I do think I’ve underestimated how much planning I’ll need to do.

OP posts:
ariel251408 · 28/01/2023 11:23

Check out places like Wilkos. I got toothpastes down to 75p this week and there was bargains on Deodrant & shower gel too.

Smileygirl2 · 28/01/2023 11:28

Costco is competitive for some things but not others. If you buy unbranded products, Aldi and Lidl much cheaper for shampoo etc.

Costco is cheaper for some basics in bulk (flour, sugar) but unless you have a card already or also use for petrol then Costco won't necessarily save you much money?

Crumpetdisappointment · 28/01/2023 11:32

tin tomatoes
pasta
oil

Filamumof9 · 28/01/2023 11:32

As I live on an island where the transport of food can be interrupted due to various reasons, I normally stockpile canned food, canned fish, some condiments and spices in my cupboard.

Furthermore, I bulk buy meat and store it in portions.

What I find very easy to store is canned tomatoes, coconut milk, chickpeas and some bacon and chicken. It allows for easy curries.

But the best suggestion is to buy when it is on sale, as it gives you more products for your money.

If you are like my family, stay away from storing too much snacks, as soon as they are in the house, they vanish.

BarbaraofSeville · 28/01/2023 11:38

OP, I don't think it takes much in terms of planning. You just keep a running shopping list and when something you normally have in starts running low, add it to the list to buy next time you see it at a good price.

I think it takes less planning, because you've always got basics in and can always make quite a few meals without needing to go shopping, or just need to pick up the fresh veg, so can get it from the Co-op, market, farm shop or wherever while out doing other things.

Ifailed · 28/01/2023 11:45

Gold.

Fairlybear · 28/01/2023 11:48

Costco isn't cheaper for many things now, it's definitely worth double checking. Amazon are great to be honest for bulk buys, and aldi shampoo is just as good as big name brands for a fraction of the price.

Crumpetdisappointment · 28/01/2023 11:51

detergent

BarbaraofSeville · 28/01/2023 11:54

Amazon seems very expensive to me for groceries. Which is to be expected seeing as the cost of delivery is significant for the price of the item.

lurker2003 · 28/01/2023 12:00

Toilet roll from farmfoods is £23 for 72 rolls and it’s good quality too

gogohmm · 28/01/2023 12:01

If you are struggling I would suggest rice, pasta, dried red lentils, spices, oils, canned chickpeas, chopped tomatoes and mixed beans so you can always make a meal, adding just cheap ingredients like onions. They store really well. I recommend the rice in foil sacks, Asda is a good option, I buy brown basmati in 5kg bags, more nutritious.

I also recommend canned anchovies and capers (Lidl sells cheaply) as 1 can added to half can chopped tomato, one onion, one teaspoon capers, some dried oregano and some dried chilli flakes or a fresh chilli plus olive oil makes a great pasta sauce, for under 50p a head

gogohmm · 28/01/2023 12:02

For loo rolls aldi is best usually

hamsterchump · 28/01/2023 12:09

PinkyU · 28/01/2023 11:06

I’m quite reticent about using Amazon at the minute, but ultimately morals take a back seat to having full stomachs etc.

I’d actually completely forgotten about tinned foods, we don’t use much but they’re definitely going to be helpful. Thank you.

Aldi has good loo rolls for £6.99 for 24 so you'd get 72 rolls for £20.97 which is a bit cheaper, works out at 29.12p a roll which looks a lot cheaper than anything I can see on Costco online.

I've just found that Lidl have 24 rolls for £6.59 which is even cheaper so you could stock up there (I can't got to one easily so don't usually look there) at 27.45p a roll, has anyone found cheaper for 3 ply good quality stuff?

hamsterchump · 28/01/2023 12:12

To add to my comment above, Costco rolls have 50% more sheets per roll than Lidl but they are also more than twice the price per roll so Lidl still wins in my opinion, both are 3 ply.

Calmdown14 · 28/01/2023 12:21

While I get the logic of topping up things where there is a certain economy of scale (rice, toilet roll etc), I'm not sure how buying everything at once helps.

Is it because you don't trust the money not to disappear elsewhere? Otherwise wouldn't you be better to bide your time for the best deals?

We buy large bags of potatoes (with dirt from farm so they last longer) 8kg is £2.80.
We also buy large bags of carrots, leeks etc, cut them up and put them into freezer bags in appropriate portions. Makes a casserole or a soup really easy.

Lidl often do XXL offers on meat at weekends. Good for splitting and freezing.

I'd probably stock up on dried and tinned goods but wouldn't go too mad on meat/frozen as you can often get good deals at end of day.

Could you allocate a certain amount per week to top up your usual shopping?