Building Your Stockpile: Stockpiling 101

[MariaT]

Originally Posted by supermanning Being a total Rookie, I still don't understand the whole multiple coupon idea, all the places I've shopped at for "want" items, only allow 1 coupon at a time and they cannot be combined with any other offer, see I work at OfficeMax in a customer service call center and we won't let anyone use multiple coupons or combine coupons with even a sale item. But then again office supplies are not neccessarily needs anyway. Also how do I know when stores will double or triple your coupons? I love the idea of having a stockpile of food. It has been very depressing for me to have my kids ask for something to eat and I have only a few things if any to give them. Having a stockpile would really help my self esteem I think.

Start off by going to the stores you regularly shop at and ask for their coupon policies. They are all different. Make sure you write them down just in case you need to refer back to them. If you are concerned about food, then start with grocery stores first and then work your way to other type stores as you get a better handle on the coupons. Coupon policies for OfficeMax are much different then a grocery store I would venture to guess. Follow the threads on this board that pertain to the grocery stores you shop at, they are very helpful.

You are allowed to use one coupon for each item you purchase. If you are buying 3 tubes or toothpaste then you can use 3 coupons. If you stores really do limit the use to one coupon per transaction then make multiple trips to the store.

[MrsPinecone]

The list of questions (regarding doubles, etc) for you to ask your stores is in the Couponing 101 thread.

[lisa89]

ok, here's a question. How do you get yourself to STOP adding to the stockpile?!?!? I can't stop!!!

Our freezer is full and I'm officially out of my *food* budget for the month of May with a week to go. We are fine & I don't *need* to buy anything......BUT the new ads come out on Sun & Mon (grocery store) & I KNOW I will see something that will be a good deal for us!

So if your stockpile is set, how do you get yourself to STOP buying ....if only for just ONE week!!!

(one example is pop. We have plenty right now.......BUT the store has a 24 pack on sale for 4.88 & get 3 free 2 liters if you buy 2 cases. I have 2.50/1 & have 2 of them. So I can get 2 cases of pop & 3 2 liters for less than 5 bucks. I will do it, but gah, how can I stop? Another is the Dr Pepper, again on sale for $4.99, have MIR for $6 that I have to use by the 31st...so I'll pay $4 for 2 cases on that deal).

I just want to take a week or 2 off but can't stand the thought of *missing* something!

[MrsPinecone]

Originally Posted by MrsPinecone Don't let your stockpile take over. Sacrificing the comfort of your family and making daily life difficult is not the goal of a stockpile. If things get uncomfortable, you have probably bought too much.

Lisa89, the comfort of your family extends to financial comfort, too. If you are out of your grocery budget, you are done. The goal of a stockpile is to stay WITHIN that budget, not go over because you have to have just one more thing. That is not saving.

Remember-- there will ALWAYS be another sale, especially on stuff like sodas.

[mrsjschultz]

Originally Posted by lisa89 ok, here's a question. How do you get yourself to STOP adding to the stockpile?!?!? I can't stop!!! Our freezer is full and I'm officially out of my *food* budget for the month of May with a week to go. We are fine & I don't *need* to buy anything......BUT the new ads come out on Sun & Mon (grocery store) & I KNOW I will see something that will be a good deal for us! So if your stockpile is set, how do you get yourself to STOP buying ....if only for just ONE week!!! (one example is pop. We have plenty right now.......BUT the store has a 24 pack on sale for 4.88 & get 3 free 2 liters if you buy 2 cases. I have 2.50/1 & have 2 of them. So I can get 2 cases of pop & 3 2 liters for less than 5 bucks. I will do it, but gah, how can I stop? Another is the Dr Pepper, again on sale for $4.99, have MIR for $6 that I have to use by the 31st...so I'll pay $4 for 2 cases on that deal). I just want to take a week or 2 off but can't stand the thought of *missing* something!

I agree. It is hard to stop, especially when you know you're going to "miss" some great deals but MrsPine is right - you want to stay within your budget! And, stuff will go on sale again. You can do it Lisa!!

I'm somewhat lucky, we don't have stores that double Q's so that temptation isn't there, and Walgreens/Rite-Aid are such pains sometimes that I really do need a break from them, LOL, especially after the whole P&G fiasco! I didn't set foot in WAG for about a week and a half after that!

[flash]

I was going to say what MrsPinecone said...the sales will come around again. Unless it's absolutely free. Stockpiling the savings only works until you are no longer saving. If you have spent your budget, you are done.

An alternative, so you feel like you are still accomplishing savings, might be to make a price book or spreadsheet to track the sales. This week's is soda, so write it down, and coupons you have....and then wait until it's on sale again and see if it's better or worse. Make a note. WRite it up, add up the total costs if you did shop. How often does it go on sale, how often does it go at prices BETTER than what you have found so far?

The same sales/coupons tend to occur every 3 months, unless there is a special promotion, or a special seasonal sale or clearance. So...what was the best price on soda last month, this month...and what is rock bottom?

That way you are still "saving" without having to shop.

[inamar]

This info is great, just I don`t have that much coupons...And I think not all items my family need goes on sale or have coupons...Am I wrong?

[mama22qts]

Originally Posted by inamar This info is great, just I don`t have that much coupons...And I think not all items my family need goes on sale or have coupons...Am I wrong?

I used to think the same thing. And there are a VERY limited number of items that you are right, just don't go on sale. But for the most part, everything we use at my house goes on sale at some time or another.

Bear in mind that everyone started out small at the beginning. We all started with little/no coupons, and it only goes up from there. Check out the local stores because there are blinkie machines (the little coupon machines in the isles) for products. In addition, you can check the coupon database here at HCW for coupons on the items you use a lot. There are traders here who will send you coupons in trade for stamps. If you don't have a lot of coupons to trade in return, stamps may be a good way to start out for you.

There are lots of ways to obtain multiples of coupons, but for me, the best way has been trading and/or offering paypal or stamps for the coupons that I need. I don't have access to large multiples of papers either without having to buy them outright and I'm too cheap to do that.

You are in the right area of the forum to learn TONS about couponing and really get started on a fun, addictive, and money-saving journey. Please keep reading, don't give up, and keep asking questions! I'd be glad to help in any way I can. Check the database out -- it's a super resource!

[thickbluebug]

I'll bet you are like me and are thinking you can't find coupons for milk,bread, meat and produce? Start searching. There are rebates on meat from beer companies that don't require a beer purchase(nbpr), even rebates on your whole grocery order called basket rings. There are wine tags that are good on milk, bread, cheese, meat, produce, charcoal, salty snacks, even seasonal items like sunscreen and towels.
I trade for alot of my coupons using stamps and buy off ebay. I was trying to buy a bunch of papers but I don't get the fantastic coupons I see other people listing. Example, the free bic soleil razor - some people had free coupons - mine were $2 off.:Wave:

Originally Posted by inamar This info is great, just I don`t have that much coupons...And I think not all items my family need goes on sale or have coupons...Am I wrong?