save or use use coupon now for best deal?

[divarunner]

I read the thread on "rock bottom prices" and learned that I can get toothpaste, toothbrushes, cereal, toilet paper (to name a few) really cheap or FREE.

Let's start with toothpaste. I have a coupon for $1/1 Colgate but even with the sale at GE it's not that cheap. So I'm guessing I should hold onto this particular coupon until a better sale comes along?

Do I just need to give this a few months to really let all the prices sink in and I'll start to recognize a better deal?

[amylynne01]

It depends. How badly do you need toothpaste? If you're squeezing out the last from the tube, then buy it at GE with your coupon. If you have 1-2 in your stockpile, wait. One of the drugstores will have them for nearly free in the next month, you can buy 5, and then wait for the next deal. That gives you time to gather up a few more coupons to be able to buy 5.

The same idea holds true for anything. Let's say pasta is an okay price this week ($0.75). If you are running really low, then buy only as much as you would need for 1-2 weeks, and hope for a great sale where you can buy 10-20 at $0.25 each. Many staples like the ones you mentioned go on sale every 4-6 weeks, so you shouldn't have to wait long.

After a long time doing this, you'll notice that some things go on a great sale only once a year. For me, that item is olive oil. I use it a lot, but it's expensive. Last fall, my store had Filippo Berio bottles at $2.99, and there were $1/1 blinkies. You better believe I bought 16 bottles because I knew that sale wasn't coming again for a while.

[motherofmolly]

keep a good eye on the rite aid, cvs and wags sales. wags will have the "buy toothpaste for $3.49 get $2.99 rr"...so using a manufacturer coupn with that would make it free in the end.

like amy said, you need it now i would get one or two. then keep an eye for sales that will make it almost free. look too for the trial size items that you can use a coupon on (that dont exclude trial)...i believe there is a printable for aquafresh that does not have a size restriction, which makes the trial size at walmart free. (if your walmart carries them).

[divarunner]

Ok, thanks that's really helpful. I fear starting out that I'll buy bulk of something thinking it's a pretty good deal then 1 month down the road see an outrageous deal and not need anything! I guess that's the name of the game for beginners.