Building a stockpile from couponing

[karice2]

This board has inspired me so much to get my grocery spending under control. All my spending really but definitely the grocery bill. $400 a month for one person is ridiculous.

So I am all over the couponing thing. I used to do it when I was a broke veteran but have gotten away from it in recent years. So I have a plan but would like a little help tweaking my plan.

I think my stockpile should be things that have an extended shelf life or paper products.

I am also doing a two week trip to Disney in December with various friends and family staying in a time share. I will be taking the auto train down so I will have plenty of space to bring my food. So I want to stockpile some of the stuff that I will need for that.


Here's what I have in my mind so far as a general stockpile without crossing into hoarding.
TP - 6 12 Packs
Paper Towels
Lady Products - 6 of each type
Tooth Brushes - 12
Tooth Paste - 6
Laundry Detergent - 6
Dish Detergent - 3
Deodorant - 6 (Plus one per gym bag)


Grocery Products include
Juice
Butter
Coffee
Chicken
Peanut Butter
Bacon
Vegetables

Any other ideas of how to categorize a stockpile without crossing into hoarding? Reading some of the stories on here have me obsessed with having enough food and toiletries in case I lose my job.

I do have a deep freezer so that will help. I also go to a farmer's market pretty regularly.

Thanks to the board. Anyone else who is a beginner or re-beginner to couponing is welcome to join in and ask questions.

 

[nathaliabrown]

We rarely stock any food items we stock things like toothpaste, body wash, deodorant, cleaning supplies. We are a family of 5 and keep no more then a years supply of anything most things 3-6 months worth. We find not having to pay for non food items at the grocery store really saves us a ton.

 

[PudgetteD]

We rarely stock any food items we stock things like toothpaste, body wash, deodorant, cleaning supplies. We are a family of 5 and keep no more then a years supply of anything most things 3-6 months worth. We find not having to pay for non food items at the grocery store really saves us a ton.

This is pretty much what we do too. I will only stockpile canned goods and condiments that will last. I did stock up on hotdogs a few weeks ago because they freeze well and we go through a lot of them in the summer at the lake. I also bought about 20 cans of Coppertone Sport spray sunblock in March, I got it for $2/can as it was on clearance for $5/can and I had $3/can coupons. I ususally pay about $8/can so I was excited about that! We go through about 50 (no joke) cans each summer. The more we save on non-food items the more money we have to spend on meats and fresh veggies/fruits (love me some farmer's market!)

 

[ready123go]

We rarely stock any food items we stock things like toothpaste, body wash, deodorant, cleaning supplies. We are a family of 5 and keep no more then a years supply of anything most things 3-6 months worth. We find not having to pay for non food items at the grocery store really saves us a ton.

Just DH & me. We have a freezer, so in addition to above, we stock some foods - i.e. I buy chicken breast when it's on sale (4-6 pks) cut it up, season it and put it in vacuum bags in quantities that will fit in our grill pan (one grill pan full of chicken will last us 3 to 5 days of meals). I buy frozen OJ 4 six-packs at a time (Costco). I store things in my freezer in labeled bins so I can tell roughly how much is there and when low, add to the "look for if on sale" portion of my grocery list.

I read Stephanie Nelson's (Coupon Mom) book (borrowed from library - not purchased!). It was helpful!

Started with 10 papers (too many). Whittled it down to 4. Still too many. Now I get 2. It works for us.

Biggest thing I have found is to keep working at it and figuring out what works for you & yours.

 

[bonna girl]

I've just started couponing in the past two months and I've learned that sales have about a 6-8 week turn around. I don't necessarily have a stock pile like most folks. I keep enough product on hand to get us through to the next sale.

 

[ilovejack02]

I know you have said before, at least I think it is you lol, that you refuse to get on fb. We won't turn this into a debate of course : ), but I just want to let you know how many coupons I have been finding on FB and high $ coupons at that, even for freebies. I belong to a couple of bloggers FB that match all coupons and sales for my area, makes my life easy and they let us know where to look for coupons and what major companies to "like" on FB because they have good coupons out. I only like the companies that I actually use the products. I got free heinz ketchup and ore ida sweet potato fries this week with coupons that were only for FB folks.

Im not a big stockpiler so can't really help you with that. I only keep extra toothpaste , tooth brushes , toilet paper and paper towels around. I can't stand a cluttered pantry.

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

Don't forget to use your coupons combined with local sales.

For HBA items: shampoo and/or hair products, bath soap.

House hold items: garbage bags, any type of sandwich bags, foil, etc.

For food and beverages: how about some rice, pasta, tea bags, can food.

Hope some of these items will help.

Don't forget with school starting in about two months July/August would be the time to stock up on some ink pens, paper, etc. Any item you might use around your house.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

I have never called it stockpiling, but I do stock up on somethings when they are on sale.
Somethings I stock up on are... pastas, dishwasher soap, toothpaste, but I am also an Aldi's shopper so I do not use coupons as much as I used too. I am just finding easier to go to Aldi.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

I have never called it stockpiling, but I do stock up on somethings when they are on sale.
Somethings I stock up on are... pastas, dishwasher soap, toothpaste, but I am also an Aldi's shopper so I do not use coupons as much as I used too. I am just finding easier to go to Aldi.

 

[chris31997]

You can freeze veggies, farmer's market hints. We freeze corn on the cob, strawberries. If you have the time and so inclined, you can make breads like banana, zuchini, pumpkin and freeze it. You can also make pumpkin/squash soups and freeze them. You can also make your own spagahiti(sp) sause and freeze it. I usually make one batch and it makes about 5 meals including leftovers for lunch

Noodles, rice, soaps/cleaners, butter(you can freeze it), meat, and frozen veggies when on sale are all great to stock up on.

On a side note; I found it extremely funny you wanted to stock up without crossing into hoarding

 

[ready123go]

In the Stephanie Nelson book, from what I remember, she says to figure out roughly how much you use in a year and make that your guide. My mother (when she was still living) and her siblings tend to cross over into hoarding. Since I am terrified that I will I use the "shelf space" guide. If there is no more room for that product in the appointed area, unless it's free, I refuse to get more.

 

[ready123go]

I know you have said before, at least I think it is you lol, that you refuse to get on fb. We won't turn this into a debate of course : ), but I just want to let you know how many coupons I have been finding on FB and high $ coupons at that, even for freebies. I belong to a couple of bloggers FB that match all coupons and sales for my area, makes my life easy and they let us know where to look for coupons and what major companies to "like" on FB because they have good coupons out. I only like the companies that I actually use the products. I got free heinz ketchup and ore ida sweet potato fries this week with coupons that were only for FB folks.

Oooh, Which ones? Which ones?

 

[hsmamato2]

My mother (when she was still living) tend to cross over into hoarding. Since I am terrified that I will I use the "shelf space" guide. If there is no more room for that product in the appointed area, unless it's free, I refuse to get more.

yeah-this is me....I stock up on sales/coupons till the space is full,usually 5-6 deoderants,6-8 shampoos,3-5 t.pastes,etc- otherwise I feel like I'm too close to hoarding,which makes me uncomfortable
I stockpile in a limited way, but I make it a point to USE what I have also.
(just visit a true hoarder,even once,and you'll understand)

 

[ilovejack02]

Oooh, Which ones? Which ones?

Coupon bloggers on facebook I follow are....
Couponing to Disney
Living Rich with coupons
We use Coupons
For the Mommas
The Krazy Coupon Lady

I have more, but these are good ones to start with. You will also want to start liking what companies you use. Heinz , Bounty , Ore Ida, Fruit of the loom ( I got free socks the other day ) Wellness pet food are some of the ones I "like"

Im sure you can find some for your area too, you will want local bloggers to match your particular area stores.

Happy couponing !!

 

[Marionnette]

Often the bloggers that ilovejack02 follows will post the link to the FB coupons on their website or you can like them on FB and the link will show in your FB newsfeed.

I've gotten great coupons for Diet Coke, eggs, ice cream, protein bars, various make up products, Bounty paper towels, bagged salad, and so on. Those coupons have been some best that I've gotten on the internet.

ETA: I also liked the FB pages of my local grocery chains. I've been able to get coupons like $2/$5 produce or $5 OYNO of $25+. Every little bit helps!

 

[Marionnette]

As far as my "stockpile" is concerned, I really don't have specific amounts that I keep in supply. For instance, I have 3 bottles of Heinz ketchup on the shelf which is probably as much as I will use in 6 months. I add it to BBQ sauce, some homemade salad dressings, baked beans, etc. In the winter I will not keep as much on the shelf b/c I don't go thru it as quickly.

OTOH, I have 6 cans of cranberry sauce. That stuff is expensive for what it is unless you take advantage of the Thanksgiving sales.

I keep a supply of body washes, deodorants, toothpaste and toothbrushes on hand for overnight guests who didn't expect to stay overnight. I also have a number of both men's and women's razors and shaving cream. Probably about 6 of each item. I re-stock when the supply gets down to 2 of any item AND the item goes on sale.

There are at least three large packages of t.p., paper towels and kleenex on my top shelf. I have a half dozen bottles of laundry detergent and another half dozen of fabric softener. I go thru one bottle per month each.

I don't stockpile a lot of pasta as I think it attracts bugs and the stuff goes on sale frequently. If I have to, I can make my own pasta from scratch.

I only keep one extra loaf of bread in the freezer. I think it takes on a freezer taste if it's in there for more than a month.

I don't freeze milk or cheese but I will stock up and freeze butter if it goes on sale.

I went overboard on toothpaste when I was into CVSing about 3 years ago. Lesson learn. Now, if I see that supply getting too big, I drop the extras off in the church donation bin.

 

[southern_redhead]

My own stocking could be a bit different, since I have three kids at home. I do think my household/paper products could be used for anyone. I have 2 large bottles of fabric softner (had them since before Christmas - I only use it when washing fleece blankets as it cuts down on static), 7 detergents, 6 pakcs of Tide Stain Release packets, between 4 and 6 of each of the following: Lysol All purpose cleaner, Lysol bathroom cleaner, Lysol toilet bowl cleaner, Lysol wipes, Lysol concentrated cleaner for mopping. I usually buy 2 of the 24 packs of toilet paper at a time and I buy a large multi pack of paper towels when we run low.

I don't necessarily stockpile food (though I am buying extra snacks right now and storing them back for our Disney trip this month - I have 3 boxes of cereal, fruit snacks, rice crispie treats, etc...) but one thing I do is when I buy fruit, like strawberries or grapes, I wash it all up. For strawberries I cut into 4ths/grapes I leave whole, I put half in a ziploc container in the fridge then I spread the other 1/2 on a cookie tray in the freezer. Once frozen I put them into another ziploc container in the freezer. Frozen grapes and strawberries are sooo good, my kids love them as a snack or with a sandwich. Plus, freezing them means we don't have to gorge ourselves on the fruit to eat it before it goes bad. I also buy whole wheat bread and make my own smucker's style sandwiches with peanut butter. I individually bag and then freeze them. I'll throw them in a pool bag or out on the counter in the morning and by lunch they are thawed, toss them on a plate with some fruit and a glass of milk or water - LUNCH with minimal effort. I do stock up on Pringles chips. That's the only kind my kids eat and I use them in my homemade lunchables during the school year.

 

[mrsklamc]

Interesting question, OP.

I don't have a 'stockpile' per say but I usually do have a few extras of things- I don't have a set number, I just keep an eye on my cabinets and if things start to get out of hand I donate to the food pantry. Ours especially likes HBA items because the guests can't use food stamps to buy those- and it's really hard for a man to get a job if he can't afford a razor!

And you still don't HAVE to join facebook to get good coupon deals-Kristen from Couponing to Disney posts everything on her site, too, and her site is the most comprehensive one I've found- although I follow a local blogger too for area-specific deals.

TRUE hoarding is a psychological condition, though, btw. So it's not likely the average DISer will head that direction just by trying to save money.

 

[Marionnette]

Interesting question, OP.

I don't have a 'stockpile' per say but I usually do have a few extras of things- I don't have a set number, I just keep an eye on my cabinets and if things start to get out of hand I donate to the food pantry. Ours especially likes HBA items because the guests can't use food stamps to buy those- and it's really hard for a man to get a job if he can't afford a razor!

And you still don't HAVE to join facebook to get good coupon deals-Kristen from Couponing to Disney posts everything on her site, too, and her site is the most comprehensive one I've found- although I follow a local blogger too for area-specific deals.

TRUE hoarding is a psychological condition, though, btw. So it's not likely the average DISer will head that direction just by trying to save money.

It's true that you don't need to join FB to get good coupons. But companies are using social networking more and more in order to reach their customers. Some coupons are only printable by liking the company's FB page and then clicking thru the link that comes up as a result.

And, not picking on you specifically mrsklamc because I see it over and over again on the disboards, but the phrase you want is per se from the Latin for "by itself".

 

[ilovejack02]

Interesting question, OP.

I don't have a 'stockpile' per say but I usually do have a few extras of things- I don't have a set number, I just keep an eye on my cabinets and if things start to get out of hand I donate to the food pantry. Ours especially likes HBA items because the guests can't use food stamps to buy those- and it's really hard for a man to get a job if he can't afford a razor!

And you still don't HAVE to join facebook to get good coupon deals-Kristen from Couponing to Disney posts everything on her site, too, and her site is the most comprehensive one I've found- although I follow a local blogger too for area-specific deals.

TRUE hoarding is a psychological condition, though, btw. So it's not likely the average DISer will head that direction just by trying to save money.

You absolutely don't have to join facebook. I like it as it is easy to see all of my bloggers links on one page. I dont have to go to each of their blogs. Even though much of the information is repeated , you do will get different info sometimes. I find I spend less time on the net because I can see all info at once. I am also belong to at least 20 different cooking blogs on FB, love waking up in the am and seeing what new recipes the foodies are dreaming up. Makes cooking fun again.

Also , as I said several times a week there are fb only coupons if you "Like" a companies facebook page. Last week it was 5.00 coupon off Bounty. A few weeks ago it was 2.00 off Heinz ketchup, free sweet potato fries from Ore Ida , and on Thursday I received a free pair of socks from Fruit of the Loom.