Coupon Queen: Stockpiling tips during the pandemic

I recently received an email about stockpiling. How much is too much, and what should you stockpile? Let's dive right in! While I enjoy your column, I'm not a coupon user. I not only don't use coupons, but I also don't stock up either. After having difficulty finding some of our regular supplies like toilet paper though last year during the early coronavirus lockdown, I realized that I should be more prepared. I never thought about how much of something I may need. I would appreciate your suggestions on what I should have on hand in the future and how much I should stock up. Mark S, Elyria, Ohio I find that grocery sale cycles usually run on a 10- to 12-week time span. During this cycle, prices will fluctuate from the highest to lowest price and have every price in between. Most avid couponers look to buy items not only when prices are the lowest, but when coupons are available to reduce prices even further. When prices drop to their lowest, I usually buy as much of the sale item we will use for the next 10 to 12 weeks. For instance, if my family uses a bottle of shampoo per month, I don't need to buy 20 of them when the price is super low; I only need to buy about three bottles to get me to the next price drop. If you are looking to start stocking up on essentials, I recommend starting with a one-month supply and working up to about a three-month supply if you have room. I focus on buying items we use on a regular basis, such as canned soups, rice, beans, cereal and fresh meat. I also stock up on non-food items such as bath tissue, disinfecting wipes and basic cleaning supplies. Having a small stockpile definitely got my family through those first uncertain days of the pandemic when we avoided going out as much as possible. In fact, it gave me peace of mind knowing my home had enough to sustain us for at least two months. This week's deal Here's a deal to grab at CVS. Post, Cap'n Crunch, Oatmeal Squares or Life cereal (select sizes) — $1.99 each Rachel Krych is passionate about helping others spend less and save more. In addition to her weekly column, she has a blog, Couponing With Rachel, which earns her compensation from Google for ads it places there, and from entertainment marketers whose promotional codes she touts. She doesn't write about entertainment in her column. Email her at couponingwithrachel@hotmail.com.