Building Your Stockpile

[uummm]

Please don't be discouraged because you stores don't double/triple. No Walmart doubles and there are lots of states that don't double. Not everything is free in a stockpile, and honestly just because it is free doesn't mean it is a good deal. I used to get tons of free stuff but if you/your family don't use it then what good is it?
Lots of good deals are found at cvs, rite aid and walgreens (i mean everyone brushes there teeth and washes their bodies). Building your stockpile takes time and figuring out what is a good price FOR YOU. You need to set yourself small goals. Anything that you save is better than to not save at all.

[Doryjane]

Thanks :)

[ShastaD]

hi, i have clipped coupons, have a binder, i am dont getting it on how to "know" where has what on sale and then how to maximize on my coupons i have multis of. help, i am not saving and spending right. Where do i find who has what on sale and cross ref them?

Ditto. I was told this was a great site for "matching." I assumed that meant matching my coupons to sales, but so far can't find that.

[Gardencook]

Ditto. I was told this was a great site for "matching." I assumed that meant matching my coupons to sales, but so far can't find that.

If you go to the main Coupon Forum homepage, and look under "Swingin'Deals," you will find a header that says "Store Deals." You will find all the major chain stores listed there and there are coupon match-ups for sales listed each week. Just pick the stores you shop and keep an eye on the threads.
As far as doubling/tripling, rules vary from region to region. Because of problems caused by the recent increase in couponing, many stores are tightening their rules, making it more difficult to get a lot of the deals that were available just available not long ago. There is also a LOT more shelf clearing going on, so it is more difficult to find the deals in stock.
Rules and prices will even vary within a chain from one region to another. Our stores often charge higher prices here than they do back East and a couple of our chains double coupons at stores in other regions, but not here.
Manufacturers have cut back considerably on the number of coupons offered, as well as the value of the coupons -- especially when it comes to staples like food. Frustrating, but true.
The values on cereal coupons have taken a plunge recently, but there are still deals to be had -- mostly on mega-sales where you buy two, four or 10 items and get a certain amount off, a Catalina to use on your next purchase or items like free milk. If you combine those with coupons and rebate offers (such as the current Kellogg's fuel card offer,) you can still land some decent deals.
January is traditionally a month when healthy foods like yogurt and cereal go on sale, so it is one of the better months to stock up on such items.
You only see coupons for some things on an occasional basis. Peanut butter is one of those. Jif, Skippy and Peter Pan used to run them a lot more frequently than they do now. Adams used to have an insert Q on occasion, but haven't seen those in ages. If you want the health food brands like Arrowhead Mills or Maranatha, there are a few instant print coupons, but they won't net you frees on peanut butter that is pricey to start.
While couponers can obtain some really good deals, getting most everything free isn't reality in most areas of the country. Even saving 10 to 25 percent on a grocery bill is a huge chunk of change in your pocket if you have been paying full price. Don't lose sight of the money you are saving, by setting your expectations too high. Couponing takes time to learn, but if you stick with it the savings can be considerable.

[LouisvilleKYGuy]

I am trying to learn to stockpile the "essentials" and would like any advice of items to have on-hand for a family of 4 that has two grown women, a 2 year old and, my self a 28 year-old man. Any Suggestions?

[Gardencook]

I am trying to learn to stockpile the "essentials" and would like any advice of items to have on-hand for a family of 4 that has two grown women, a 2 year old and, my self a 28 year-old man. Any Suggestions?

Basically, it depends on what your family will eat, what you happen to find at a good price and your reason for stockpiling.
Are you looking for a hedge against inflation? Then you will want to keep an eye out for items that are beginning to rise in price and purchase a supply before they go up too much.
Are you stockpiling for emergency preparedness? In case of natural disaster there is often no electricity, so a freezer full of microwave meals might not do you much good. However, a can of beans or tuna can be eaten cold, even if you don't have somewhere to heat it.
However, even those cans won't do you much good if you don't have a manual can opener to get into them, so think about how you will serve them. They can get boring cold, so think about how you will heat them. Fireplace? BBQ? Sterno?
Sales tend to run in cycles and most stores offer a few "loss leaders" each week. Those are items that the store makes little or no profit on, hoping to get you in the doors so you will buy more. When you see a good sale on something you can use, pick up a few extra cans/boxes if your budget is limited. Even a few extra cans every week, will eventually add up to a nice stash.
If you've got enough extra cash, you might want to pick up a case or two -- but only if it is something you will use. Stockpiling 300 jars of pickled beets won't do you much good if your family won't touch them!
If you keep an eye on the store deals here at HCW for the places you shop, you'll get a good idea of what items might be stock-up prices in your particular area that week.
Try to keep balanced meals in mind when building your stockpile. Lots of canned meat is great, but can get boring if you don't have vegetables and starches to go along with it. If your family likes tortillas, they are great meal stretchers, but think about what you will put on them -- meat? beans? salsa? cheese? Keep parings in mind and you'll always have an extra meal on hand, even if you can't get to the store to buy something.