How much stuff do you buy when there is a good sale on it?

[fungirl2727]

Just started couping and was wondering if there was a really good deal how many of the iteam will you buy? Is it worth buying 20 of the same iteam if there is a great deal? I am thinking about buying more papers so I can stockpile even more stuff. Thanks for everyone help this group has helped me out alot.

[MrsPinecone]

If you won't use it before it goes bad, nothing is a good deal.

If you know you will use it, then as many as you can get.

I usually get a year's supply of anything.

[seedlady]

depends on how many coupons i have.

[anaj06]

I buy whatever I have coupons for if it is a great deal and I know I will use it.

For instance the Huggies Pullup wipes $3/2 Q...I ordered 50 of them and I have been trading for smaller quantities as they come up. I have no doubt I can use 100+ packs of wipes so as many as I can get is perfect! I have one potty training now and one to start soon.

It depends on the item though. For instance toothpaste is always free, so I just buy whatever I have the coupons for at the time and don't order any extra coupons.

Also, be careful starting out....what you think is a good deal now will not look so great to you in 3 or 6 months. There is a steep learning curve with couponing.

[hellokittygirl]

Originally Posted by anaj06 Also, be careful starting out....what you think is a good deal now will not look so great to you in 3 or 6 months. There is a steep learning curve with couponing.

This statement is so true. I used to think that, for example, .50 was a good price for toothpaste. Um, it's not! Toothpaste is something you can always get for free! It really helped me to see what other people's "bottom line" prices are. It's all about the bottom line! What is your best price?

I have to take into account space issues, too. I have a limited amount of space, so even if I want 100 rolls of toilet paper, it's just not plausible.
There are certain items I know I will ALWAYS use, so I look for free on those whenever possible and stock up, but I can't go overboard. I love Morningstar Farms stuff, and they are free at Publix this week, so I got 8. That may not seem like a ton, but as a college student sharing a fridge/freezer, it's all I can do right now.

Check out expiration dates. If it's going to expire before you can use it, then there is no need to buy it. Another deal will come along. I've learned that even if I miss out on a really good deal, there is always another one around the corner. You just have to be patient.

[nsbarlow]

I'm just buying a month's worth of stuff right now. Our tastes change, and I feel uncomfy spending more than a certain amount per month stockpiling. I also don't have a deep freeze yet.

I was just really excited about some toothpaste I got at $.50 haha. I only bought one though!

[Colinsgrandma]

If it's free I get as many as I have coupons for if I won't use it someone else will. If it's a good deal for something like laundry detergent or garbage bags that will keep indefinitely I will get a years supply. I've noticed things that were free a year ago are not now.

[mandi0808]

Originally Posted by Colinsgrandma If it's free I get as many as I have coupons for if I won't use it someone else will. If it's a good deal for something like laundry detergent or garbage bags that will keep indefinitely I will get a years supply. I've noticed things that were free a year ago are not now.

I totally agree.
I also limit myself on perishables, since I have no deep freeze and my fridge and freezer are full.
If it has a long expiration and it's non perishable, depending on what it is, I will get as many as I can.
Betty Crocker potatoes, Hamburger Helper, and Knorr rice and pastas last for a while on the shelf, so I always stock up on those.
Health and beauty is something that I will get a ton of if I can get it really cheap or free. Most of those things are ok if they sit for a while.

Just think about what you get, how much you normally use, when it might expire, and where are you going to put it. That's the best way to determine how much of something you should get.

[tmsmalley]

What everyone else said, but also consider the boredom factor. If, for example, you get 15 boxes of Raisin Bran, is your family going to be bored to tears 4 boxes down the road? Perhaps. But, if you can get 10 boxes of Raisin Bran and 10 boxes of Cheerios and 10 boxes of Rice Chex, you can switch between the 3 indefinitely.

Also, if you've never tried a certain product before and don't know if you'll like it or not, that is not the time for 50 boxes! Try one or two and see how it goes. It WILL come up again.

Tess

[cblanchard76]

I stock up on whatever I can get my hands on. I love to shop. I can't keep myself out of stores. So I will buy stuff I can get for free just to fill the obsession. I don't though anything out. I check expiration dates and stock my cabinets based on them. I donate tons of stuff to Open Pantry, my daughters church, and friends and family. It makes me feel really good to give back. I'm not rich and I can't afford money at the moment and giving something is better than not giving at all.