Newbie at stockpiling and have some questions

Lurkergirl · 08-26-2008, 10:28:29 PM

Hi all ,
I have seen the amazing pic's of some of your stockpiles .I am amazed to say the least.
Anyway I have only been able to get a few things for free.
How do some of you get so much for free?
There are only the 2 of us plus my spoiled doggy .
So any tips on how much a family of 2 and a dog should stockpile ?

I have been able to get some things for free .
This has happened when cubs had the totino pizza rolls were 10 for 10 I was only able to print 4 coupons off the net so I got 4 boxes for free.
I then was able to get Rice a Roni for free 2 boxes when Kroger had it 10/10 again printed off the net .
Last I was able to get free mustard it was 10 for 10 at Schnucks and I had a 50 cent off coupon and they doubled it .

I wanna have a low ticket ,the lowest I have got it down is by 30 dollars from 95 to 65 and 121 to 65 but I was getting the convert box and that was 40 they took off for that .

Lurkergirl · 08-27-2008, 12:35:34 AM

Anyone ?????????????????????????????????

jess323 · 08-27-2008, 01:12:39 AM

I'm new at stockpiling too, but I find that if I search through all the deals I get overwhelmed and want to go out and get every single cheap/almost free item... even if I dont need it..

It seems best to search the forums of the stores you frequent most for their circulars, and most have coupon matchups, and list whats free.
ex. I just got tons of free toilet paper and VIVE pro from Kroger. Thats stuff I use, and never wouldv'e gotten if not for HCW...

I havent really seend any doggie stockpiling deals though, but I'm sure they are out there..

Here are my tips, and whats been working so far:
1- BE ORGANIZED! Organize your coupons whichever way works best for you, so when store circulars come out you can double check the deals with what q's you have
2- Get loads of coupons, I buy 10 papers a week, and trade what I dont need for the ones I use, or can get good deals on. (that way if something is 10/10 I have enough coupons for each item

)
3- Look ahead! In some store forums (ex. CVS) The specials are listed weeks in advance, which gives you a great amount of time to trade/buy the coupons you need to get the items you want FREE or dirt cheap!

I hope that helped you out somewhat... I know what its like to be a newbie, I am a little over a week into serious couponing, and I already have a great stockpile of shampoo,condition,razors,kotex, and toilet paper-all FREE! So just stick with it, and one day we will have stockpiles like the awesome people here

Lurkergirl · 08-27-2008, 01:19:08 AM

THanks I guess I just don't get enough papers

Wolfie1991 · 08-27-2008, 01:25:54 AM

Be patient. Deals will come. If you see the ad, and there is a good deal after coupon, you can trade for some here, use an online auction or clipping service to get lots of coupons. Do you do CVS or Walgreens too?

terrortoys · 08-27-2008, 01:34:02 AM

I usually get 2-3 papers, however I will buy muliples of those items that I want to stockpile on ebay.. such as toilet paper, the lawry's marinades, hot sauce, razors, mustard, ect. I would rather buy from there it is easier on me personally. Best of luck it will get easier and you will get the hang of it.

Lurkergirl · 08-27-2008, 01:35:02 AM

Originally Posted by Wolfie1991

Be patient. Deals will come. If you see the ad, and there is a good deal after coupon, you can trade for some here, use an online auction or clipping service to get lots of coupons. Do you do CVS or Walgreens too?

Yes I do the Walgreens and CVS on things I actually use

isis · 08-27-2008, 01:38:34 AM

My stockpile isn't anywhere near some of the pics or brags that are posted, but I do have a nice HBA stockpile and some food for us. We are a family of 4 (dh, I and 2 kiddos). I find it easy to get HBA free or cheap b/c of ECB deals at CVS and monthly rebates at Walgreens & Rite Aid.
As far as food, I don't have a store that doubles, but there are deals to get some things free or close to it. This week, Winn Dixie had Sara Lee bread bogo, using the free coupon that was in the paper last week, I was able to get 4 loaves free. It won't last long, we go through bread, esp when the kids want PB&J sandwiches. I find that food items can be bought cheaply at the drug stores too. I bought Peter Pan PB at Walgreens this week, 3/$5 w/the weekly ad coupon, used 3 $1/1 cpns from the All You mag, for a final price of 3/$2. I figure the 3 jars will last til Dec (hopefully!)

If its just the 2 of you, make a list of the items you use. You can keep notes on when you open a bottle of something to see how long it lasts. I know that for me and dh, we need 8 toothbrushes and 12 tubes of toothpaste for the year. The kids need 8 toothbrushes and 4 tubes of tb (they only use a dab, so it lasts much longer cause me & dh go through a tube a month) If me and dh are using the same bottle of bodywash, we go through 2 a month. If we each use a bottle, mine tends to last a bit longer b/c dh will take a bath before work, a bath when he comes home and a bath after he comes home from the gym. I usually have 12 bottles in the closet, but always buy whenever there are deals to keep my stockpile up.
It seems to me you are already doing well! Just keep reading, esp the threads for the grocery stores in you area to see what others are getting free or cheap. Stockpiling doesn't happen overnight, take one or two items at a time and you'll have lots before you know it!!

Lurkergirl · 08-27-2008, 01:59:14 AM

Thanks for all the advice

MyWrench · 08-31-2008, 07:38:31 PM

I'm same boat as you 1 DH + 1 puppy. I'm just starting to stockpile, currently have 30 boxes of tissues in my trunk but have no idea how to get TP for free.
I do swap with some girls at work, we clip what we want and swap; you'd be surprised what people don't use. I swap with 3 people and wind up with lots of extras only buying 2-3 papers myself.