One of the biggest hurdles new (and even seasoned) couponers have is knowing when to stock up.  We always say, “Stock up at rock bottom prices”.  But if you don’t know what that price point is, you may miss out on opportunities.  So we have created this list of stockup prices for most of the common items.  These prices are based on our own experience in the Pacific NW.   Please feel free to print or share this list!  If you have something you’d like us to add, leave a comment! 🙂

Stockup Price List

 

Produce:

*Seasonal fruits and veggies can be flash frozen and used all year long!

Usually $0.50 – $1 per # for most non organic produce

Bananas are usually $0.50 or less per #

Meat:

*Often cheapest at Winco or through Zaycon.  Look for BOGO deals at Safeway and Albertsons!

Usually $2 or less per # – under $1.50 per # is a great stock up price!

Low fat content ground beef $3 or less per #

79 cents per # or less for fresh whole chicken

Dairy/Refrigerated:

*Many dairy items, even milk, can be frozen!

Butter/margarine tubs   –   $1 – $0.50 or less is a great stock up price!

Cheese (block)   –   $2 per # for the good stuff, $1.50 per # for store brand

Cheese (shredded)   –   $1 per 8 oz bag

Cheese (string)   –   $0.20 per serving

Cookie dough   –   $1 per package

Creamer (pint)   –   $1 (I aim for $0.75 or less, but it’s a must-have in my house!)

Crescent rolls/biscuits   –   $0.50

Eggs   –   $1 per dozen for non organic

Milk (non organic)   –   $2.50 per gallon is average.  $2.25 or less is a great stock up price! Look for Fred Meyer coupons … 99 cents for half gallons ($1.98 gal.)

Yogurt   –   $0.25 per cup

Frozen:

*March is national frozen food month.  That is the best time to stock up!

Dinners   –   $0.80 each

Ice cream   –   $1.50 for ½ gallon

Pizza   –   $2.50 each

Vegetables   –   $0.65 per bag/box

Canned/Jarred items, Condiments:

*Condiments are usually cheapest during the summer, so stock up for the year if you can!

BBQ sauce   –   FREE – $0.25

Beans   –   $0.25 – $0.50

Fruit   –   $0.50

Jam/Jelly   –   $1 per jar

Ketchup   –   $0.50

Mayonnaise –   $1 ($0.50 is my stockup price)

Mustard   –   FREE – $0.25

Pasta sauce   –   $0.50

Peanut butter   –   $0.75

Salad dressing   –   FREE – $0.50

Salsa   –   $0.75

Soup   –   $0.20 for condensed ”cream of”, $0.50 for regular condensed, up to $1 for Progresso

Syrup   –   $0.75

Tomatoes   –   $0.50

Tomato paste   –   $0.35

Tuna fish   –   $0.25 per can or pouch

Vegetables   –   $0.25 – $0.50

Dry Goods/Boxed Foods:

Cereal   –   $1

Mac & Cheese   –   $0.40 per box

Oats   –   $1

Pancake mix   –   $1

Pasta   –   FREE – $0.25, $1 for lasagna

Pasta/Potato/Rice mixes   –   $0.50

Rice   –   $0.50 per #

Stuffing   –   $0.50

Toaster pastries   –   $1

Baking:

*Lowest prices are from October – December, so stock up for the year if you can!

Brownie and cake mixes   –   $0.50

Chocolate chips   –   $0.70

Condensed and evaporated milk   –   $0.50

Flour   –    $0.25 per # for white unsifted

Frosting   –   $0.50 per tub

Oil   –   $1 for 48oz

Pudding/Jello mix   –   $0.20

Sugar (white)   –    $1.50 per 5# bag / $0.30 per #

Snack Foods, Candy:

*Bagged candy is cheapest around Halloween

Candy (bagged)   –   $0.75

Candy bars   –   $0.25 each

Chips   –   $1 per bag

Cookies   –   $1

Crackers (snack type)   –   $0.75

Fruit snacks   –   $0.50 per box

Granola bars   –   $0.75 per box

Gum   –   FREE – $0.25

Popcorn   –   $0.50

Breads:

*Buns are cheapest in the summer and can be frozen!

Buns (hot dog, hamburger)   –   $1 ($0.50 during BBQ season!)

Tortillas   –   $0.50 – $1

Whole wheat and white bread   –   $1

Check with your local bakery outlet – Our Franz Outlet has wonderful deals on bread that will be expiring soon.  I often get very healthy organic whole grain breads at $0.88 cents a loaf.  They also give us free breads/buns/etc. with each purchase over a certain $ amount.  Stock up and freeze.  The better the bread is for you, the better it freezes and thaws.

Drinks:

Coffee   –   $5 per # (We are coffee snobs and only buy premium bagged coffee.  Our stockup price is $3.99)

Drink mix (powdered)   –   $0.75

Juice (bottled or boxed)   –     $1

Soda (2 L)   –   $0.50

Sports drinks   –   $0.50

Tea bags   –   $0.75 per box

Pets:

*I haven’t seen a lot of info about stockup prices for pet items, so this is based purely on my experience.  If you have more info, please let me know!

Cat food   –   $1 for a small bag

Cat litter   –   $5 for a large box or jug

Dog food   –   $5 for a 20# bag

Dog treats   –   $1.50 per box, $1 if I’m luck

Baby:

*See my post about how to make your own diaper wipe solution and baby food here!

Diapers   –   $0.10 each for small sizes, $0.15 each for size 4 and above

Diaper wipes   –   $0.99 for a small tub/pack, $0.02 per wipe

Food   –   $0.25 per jar

Paper Products, Food Storage:

Foil   –   $0.50 per roll

Garbage bags   –   $0.10 per bag

Napkins   –   $0.75 per pack

Paper towels   –   $0.50 per roll

Plastic wrap   –   $0.75 per roll

Storage bags   –     $0.50 – $1 per box, depending on size

Tissue   –   $0.50 per box

Toilet paper   –   $0.20 per roll, $0.01 per sq ft

Household  Cleaners, Dishwashing and Laundry Products:

Cleaning sprays/wipes   –   $0.50 per bottle/package, $1 for more organic brands like Method

Dish soap   –   FREE – $0.50

Dishwasher tabs   –   $0.05-$0.15 per tab, $0.75 per box

Dryer sheets   –   $0.02 per sheet

Laundry soap/gel packs   –   $1 for 32 loads

Personal Care:

*This is a category where you can build your stockpile quickly and leave on autopilot while you work on your food storage!

Beauty:

Cosmetics    –   FREE – $1

Lip balm   –   FREE – $0.50

Nail polish and tools   –   FREE – $0.25

Feminine Hygiene:

Pads   –   FREE – $0.25 for pantyliners, $0.50  for higher absorbency

Tampons   –   $1 per box

Hair care:

Color   –   $1.50 per box

Conditioner   –   $0.25 – $0.75

Shampoo   –   $0.25 – $0.75

Sprays/Stylers   –   $0.25 – $0.75

Meds/First Aid/Eyes:

Allergy/cold medicine   –   $0.50 – $1

Bandaids   –   $0.25

Cough drops   –   FREE – $0.25

Contact solution   –   $2 – $3 per bottle

Creams and lotions   –   $0.50 – $1

Pain relievers   –   FREE – $1

Oral Care:

Floss   –   FREE – $0.25 (I prefer Glide and will pay $0.50 if I need to)

Mouthwash   –   FREE – $0.50 (for whitening kind)

Toothbrushes   –   FREE – $0.25 (if you really need it or want a fancy brand)

Toothpaste   –   FREE – $0.25 (again, if you really need it or want a fancy brand)

Shaving/Deodoant:

Deodorant   –   FREE – $0.25, $1 for clinical strength

Razors (disposable)   –   FREE – $0.50

Razors (reusable)   –   $0.99 – $1.99 (this includes the ‘deluxe’ razors like Gillette Proglide!)

Shaving cream/gel   –   $0.25 – $0.50

Soap/Lotion:

Bar soap   –   FREE – $0.25

Body wash   –   $0.25 – $0.75 (the women’s tends to be more expensive for some reason)

Face wash   –   FREE – $0.75

Hand soap   –   FREE – $0.50 per pump, up to $0.69 for brands like Method

Lotion   –   FREE – $1

Miscellaneous:

Air fresheners   –   FREE – $1

Batteries   –   $0.10 – $0.25 per battery (they are more expensive the larger they are)

Lightbulbs (CFU)   –   $0.25 – $0.50

Lightbulbs (regular)   –   FREE – $0.25