determining usage for commonly used items

[kamakamalia2010]

Hi. I'm new to couponing and am looking into starting a stockpile. Currently living with my dad and my boyfriend but would like to have the ideas and such for when we move out.

We have created a list of things we use often:
- Toilet Paper
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body Wash
- Razors (i use disposable)
- Laundry Detergent
- Dish Soap (we use both dish liquid and dishwasher detergent)
- Feminine Products (i usually have both in the cabinet)
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste

I would love your input and suggestions. Thank you.

[$Saving!]

All cleaning, paper and personal use items seem to be on your list. But if you have space available (even plastic tubs) you can start stockpiling food items too, things that have long expiration dates like cereal, peanut butter, some other condiments etc. That way you're that much further ahead to a stocked pantry too when you move

[kamakamalia2010]

We dont really have the space (i wish we did). We live in a small 2 bedroom 1 bathroom home with 3 people (my dad, me and my bf) and a cat. We are really in the research stage of getting started. We use coupons now but not very often. I have a little coupon organizer (bought from a local $ store). He is thinking we will be moving October 2012. Hopefully he's right.

I'm currently working on determining how much of certain things we actually go thru in a month...so we can determine the amount we would need for a 3 month stockpile of those things. I wanna start with personal care and household products since they have the longest shelf life.

[$Saving!]

To help you determine that with some accuracy, you could mark the date you started using an item in black permanent marker in some spot and then you'll see how long it lasts. That will give you the accuracy you need to know what you need of that item for a 3 month stash.

And amazingly, all of those items, with the exception of the laundry detergent will easily fit in one large crate like from an office store. So space wise, that won't be too much of a burden to stockpile. And shoeboxes under the bed hold a lot of stuff too

The way to create that stockpile is to pay close attention to the best sales that match up with a coupon too, allowing you a higher level of savings over the store sale price. If you have any of the major drug store chains (Rite Aid, Walgreens and CVS) you will be able to stockpile your personal care items easily as those items rotate routinely on sale over the course of a month to 6 weeks time.

[kamakamalia2010]

Thank you for that. Thats a great idea to do with all the bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash. Thank you.

[suestuff]

Oh, you are just brand new, like I was in March of this year. I would recommend reading and reading here. Read the threads that you shop at. If you shop at Walgreens and CVS you will see that you can get lots of that stuff for free or very close to free when using coupons. It takes some time to learn it, but you will. And you can even get laundry detergent for super cheap, dish soap, cat food and more that you are using right now.

So maybe just start buying stuff that you need right now for super cheap and stockpiling stuff that is free or is a money maker. Don't get overwhelmed. You will learn how it works. There is a learning curve to this. But ask lots of questions when you have them. People here are super helpful and supportive. Good for you!

[suestuff]

Saving gave great advice. I don't have a Rite Aid, so I left that off of my list. Each of those 3 major drug stores have great deals, you just have to learn the system for each. I know that CVS and Walgreens are completely different. Those are the 2 that I know. PM me for some more advice.