Are you stocking your pantry?

I think articles like the one you linked to, are only serving to cause panic, and CAUSE the prices to go up...very similar to what is happening with gas prices. However, I am also aware that the cost of everything seems to go up every time I go shopping, which is only every other week since I am only shopping for myself. So the last couple of times, I bought slightly more than I needed (e.g. 2 bags of brown rice, rather than 1 box of fast-cooking brown rice), extra canned vegetables, etc. It is actually a good idea to have extra food just in case of some kind of disaster. When I lived in FL I always did this during hurricane season, when I could afford to. Even in NJ, a bad storm or other disaster could occur. Last year NYC had an extended blackout which shut down many businesses for a few days. So it could not hurt to have a little extra stored in case of emergency. I don't know if I would go stocking up on those 20 lb bags of rice just yet, though.

I've never really done it either, but we are eating a lot more noodles, rice and beans to stretch meals further, so I will likely be buying more of that since they keep well. Since I've heard the price of rice is going up considerably, I'll definitely be buying that in larger quantities, as long as I can keep it fresh. Right now I have a large glass canister that I use and I mix both white and brown rice in that. It holds a good amount, but I may invest in something bigger if I buy the really big bags of rice. A huge bag won't fit in that canister, and I wouldn't want to leave it open in the bag for an extended period of time. One thing I do buy several of when I find it on sale is butter. I will keep one in the fridge and toss the rest in the freezer. What other things are good to round out a meal cheaply that keep well? I'll be interested to see what others post here.

Actually, I am having to do the exact opposite of stockpiling my pantry. We are moving in a few days and the movers charge by the pound. Therefore we are trying to deplete our stock! We are also having to empty my mother's pantry and frozen goods as she is moving with us. It saddens me to think of what we will spend once we arrive at our new home. We of course are taking some food with us but have depleted as much as we can. Our grocery bill is likely to be as high as the bill for the moving van! Ha!

I try to stock up on things like canned goods when they are on sale as they will keep for a long time. When you can get 4 for $1.00 I stock up makes sense to me but I am like you I am not stockpilin rice or anything liek that.

I'm taking a big risk because I live in hurricane country and I've stocked my freezer with meat due to the rising prices and the sudden lack of selection at the meat counter. Some days I can't find ground beef or steaks (except for the very high priced cuts that I refuse to buy) so I buy extra when I can find it. I usually try to keep my pantry stocked and, again in anticipation of hurricane season, I have stocked up on things we'll need of we lose power for days/weeks. I also take advantage of sales and stock up if it's something we use.

I don't stockpile because I find I am more likely to forget what I have on hand and not use it wisely. I spend less and waste less the more I plan. I am spending less by planning better and using up leftovers. I might buy a little extra of something if it is what I usually buy and it is a good sale. I do keep a few staples on hand in amounts that will last about a month; like pasta, rice, beans, canned tomatoes...

i am the kind of person who tend to stock when i see a bargain in the supermarket... especially if it is a really good bargain... but i only stock on non-perishable foods that i can keep for a long time... and i stock reasonably... i don't stock too much as well in case they expired before i can eat them and it will be a waste of money then... take care and have a nice day...

i usually buy items if discounted or on sale 2 to 4 pcs...and im still practicing it...however buying 10 times or more..well not so practical on my budget i guess..mine is limited..i had some things that needed cash except for food...

when i see something on sale, i tend to stockpile. we saw cheese on sale for half price (usually over $6, it was on sale for just over $3-) so we bought 6 packages and put some in the freezer! i always do that and only buy stuff that IS on sale.

If I had the money my pantry would be stocked. One reason is b/c of the gas prices but also b/c hurricane season is only 2 weeks away and with living near the gulf of mexico we always need to be ready to get out of here. I just hope its not a bad season. If something is a really good price I will pick 2 up but not more then that.

I pretty much always had "stock piled" in the past, simply due to money shortage. I'd stock up on things as they came on sale and with my coupons and have a large shelf unit in my wall coat closet (I'm in SO. CA - not to much need for coats!) and have it certain shelves for certian things. It is the only way to deal with paycheck to paycheck. Might not need those green beans that are on sale this week, but we'll eat them in another couple weeks so buy them now. Walgreens is great for sales like this. I always hated hearing those "save money" gurus in hte 90's when they'd tell you "save money by making a menu at home FIRST. Then go through what you have and make a shopping list. Then once at the store - you buy ONLY what is on your list. Nothing else, no spuratic buys - just what is on your list. You'll save money". And I say to them, that is the worst way to save money! If you have decided to have chicken dish and chicken is $3.99 a lb - you are suppose to buy that and only that. But htat ground round is on sale for $1.99 a lb. Well, I hadn't planned on any burger meat related measl, so I don't buy that and since it is on my list, I have to pay this high price for chicken...even tho I know it goes on sale for at least half that from time to time and I know I'll want burger meat dishes next week, but have to buy what on my list only so I pay high price for the chicken...." you get the point. I have found the best way to buy and save is start a list at home - leave it on the frige door - and add staples that you always use that you are out of... laundry soap, toilet paper - things like that, but then go to the store and shop sales on that stuff, but then for food items, you simply buy what you can afford. If you see the burger meat for $1.99, and the chicken for $3.99 - you buy the burger meat this week. And do this for most everything you buy and add it up so you don't go over you budget. THEN go home and make your menus based on what you bought today. Then next week, when the chicken is on sale, you buy it then!! Look how much you saved when you shopped "only on sale" instead of "only on my list". And remember, many sales have quantity limits. 10 per customer. Well, you are a customer every time you go into that store, so if there is something on sale you really want/need and are only allowed 10 - get your 10 today and stop back in next day or other time that week and get 10 more. Don't make special trip as gas will eat your savings, but if the store is on a usual errand route, stop and run in and get it - you'll only be a few minutes as you are only getting this one thing! Good luck to everyone in their venture to stretch their grocery dollars till George Washington grins!

When I find a good price, I buy several of the item. I do think that food prices are going to continue to rise - the "experts" say for another two years before they'll level off. I blame some of the price rise on so much of our American products being sold to foreign countries at premium prices instead of being used to feed people in our own country.

I have always bought extra frozen or dry goods when there is a bargain that I can't pass up. That's one reason we have the extra upright freezer. But won't buy too much dairy or produce since I hate to see it go bad. However, I think that people panicking over "food shortages" that are not really true and buying way more than they can use in a reasonable amount of time is one of the reasons food is going up in price. Besides the fuel cost of shipping that is.

we have done this in the past when things were better money wise and we like to keep a stocked pantry cabinet for just in case type situations. it is stocked pretty well right now but because things have been so tight for us with money i have had to dip into quite a bit to make ends meet. i do think this is a good idea not only to save money but if anything ever happened to the trucking industry and no goods could get through to the stores the stores would be cleaned out in no time by the wealthy and times could get tough real quick.