Stockpiling Vs. Hoarding

I have come across a lot of negative comments and articles about stockpiling that cause me some concern. Stockpiling and hoarding are not the same thing. Hoarders have a disease and this disease gets out of control quickly.  Here is a article about hoarding off of the Oprah website that is helpful in identifying hoarders.

http://www.oprah.com/home/3-Signs-of-Compulsive-Hoarding

A stockpile is meant to be a way for your family to survive on the weeks that good coupons aren't available or that when a sale isn't the lowest prices possible. Most people can get away with a 6 - 12 week supply before the sales come back around. If you are brand loyal then yes you may want to stock up for that year cause a brand may not have the same sale cycle as just an overall product category. Yes, I do believe that some people shouldn't buy 100 of one item at a time unless it is obviously pre-ordered. There are some manners that need to be rendered when shopping for your stockpile. Such as:

1. Don't clear the shelves
2. Pre-order when possible
3. Don't take all the tearpad coupons or blinkies either
4. Don't peel peelies off of products unless you are buying the item you pulled it from.
5. Look at the expiration dates & only purchase what your family can eat by that date.
6. If you don't really use it, then don't buy it just because its free.
7. Adhere to store policies cause coupners need to leave good impressions or stores won't welcome us back!

Coupons103.mov - How to get Maximum Savings

Third Installment to the Coupon Series at You Tube

Coupons102.mov - Finding Your Coupons

Continuing the Coupon Series through the You Tube Channel

Coupon101.mov - Types of Coupons

Second Video from the Coupon Beginnings Video Channel at You Tube!

Drug Store Blues

If you are late to the Drug Store sales you might notice that all the stock is gone and you need to get a raincheck. You even ask when the next truck comes in so you know when to come in next. Ok let me stop you there! I did this also and then when I went back it was a waste of gas cause they still didn't have the items in and when I stressed my concern about the coupons I had it was a bit of non-concern. Drug stores are notorious for not stocking up on sale items. If your coupons are going to run out soon then immediately ask for a manager and ask for a special order or ask if you can still use your coupons even if they expire before they get in the items. If the manager agrees to the special order or the coupon exchange then write it down! Have them sign the back of the raincheck so when you go in to get the items the cashier doesn't go nuts and other managers try to deny your purchase due to the manager that said it was ok but didn't write it down isn't on duty. Also before you travel give a call to the store and check if the store has finally received in the products. This is a lot less hassle then traveling there only to find out that the staff is slacking in putting out the truck or that the manager has still not ordered your product. If you live in a small town like me it may be a while for the stock to come in but also see where other stores maybe in your area and check their inventory. Ask if they will honor your raincheck and if they will it maybe worth the trip! So if you know of a sale and you have coupons get there early!!!

Introducing The Coupon Beginnings You Tube Channel

This is the first video and there are going to be more added so subscribe now and be notified when new videos are uploaded! Most videos are going to be in this format so it is easier to learn and easier to take notes if you want too.

Slow & Steady

Finding coupons has been a blessing but also a struggle. Coupons really do help me save on tons of items but getting used to certain criteria in the beginning can be hard. First off I do have a small stockpile but it is mainly toothpaste, soap, & mouthwash. These things are not going to feed my family but at least I have enough for right now that if I need to I can wait until I find them for free again before I purchase them. I think the hardest part of couponing is finding the food you need to stockpile. It probably wouldn't be so bad if we weren't living paycheck to paycheck like so many families are today. I like to try and shop the deals each week but right now it is more like every two weeks when the payday arrives. That is 42 meals that I need to shop for in one trip. It would be awesome if all stores like the ones on Extreme Couponing allowed overages & doubling up to .99 cents. However, as I tell it like is in my blog, you have different coupon policies everywhere and you must get to know them and then map out your own personal strategy. We have 3 grocery stores where I live and then of course a Wal-Mart. Only one doubles up to .60 cents unlimited & only Wal-Mart allows overages. You have seen me shop at Harris Teeter on here but the nearest one is 25 miles away. That is a 50 mile round trip in a V-8 Truck or Car! The household has agreed to only go on Super Double Weeks due to that being the best way to save!

Right now I feel like if food prices were ideal I wouldn't be able to stockpile like I would want to just because we only have a budget of Free to go towards the stockpile items. I know lots of you beginners feel the same way I do but you can't give up. Slow & Steady! I have been at it for about a month now and I wish I could say I have this huge stockpile and I have learned all I need and now I'm an expert! But truly I'm still in the 50-60% off my bill stage! This is amazing that I can do that and as soon as my stockpile gets me to where I can only shop for coupon items then I know I'll be in that 75% savings goal that I want to be at for all shopping trips. So be patient, take this time to really hone in on your skills, & know that you can do this!

Reality Check About Extreme Couponing

While exploring the blog Southern Savers I came across a blog about the tv show Extreme Couponing. I really think its a great read and something that needs to be learned quickly while taking on the challenge of coupons. You can click HERE for the blog.

Do The Leg Work

I do love the coupon blogs that break down the weekly ads to the stores and then group them with the internet or sunday paper coupons. But don't get completely reliant on just these sources. Every store has regional papers and every individual store can have sales that are their own. Also even though they do list coupons it may not list all the coupons due to various reasons. So always check your local weekly ad and your personal supply of coupons to make sure you are getting your best savings.

For example, one of the blogs I follow listed that Nestle single serve candy bars were on sale and that the only coupon available was for a $1/2 butterfinger snackers. But in the 5/01 sunday papers there was a .50/2 coupon on nestle single serve candy bars. Since my store that had the sale also doubles up to .60 I was able to get 10 candy bars for free. The butterfinger single serve snackers weren't on sale but they were on closeout at my store which would make them free with either coupon.

So make sure you use your coupon blogs as a reference but not as the complete reference. Also take your binder with you and not just the coupons you need cause you never know what maybe on closeout at your store.

Sale Cycle Predictions For May

May:
Memorial Day: BBQ Sauce, Ketchup, condiments, charcoal, salad dressing, potato chips, dips

Paper Products:  plates, utensils, insect repellant, sunscreen

Cinco De Mayo:  Salsa, tortillas

Mother’s Day: Giveaways, Cupcakes

Seasonal Produce: Artichokes, Asparagus, Avocado, Beans, Green, Beets, Blackberries, Carrots, Onions, Sweet Vidalia, Peas, Edible Pods, Peas, English/Shelling, Potatoes, New, Raspberries, Strawberries


If you have been keeping up then you know that not only do sales have a 6 - 12 week cycle on certain brands but that each month can bring seasonal and yearly sales as well. This is the May sale cycle predictions and remember that holidays during that month can bring plenty of savings after the holiday. Stores have to move products so check those clearance aisles for a stock up to next years festivities!!

Watching The Register

My first tip on the tip page it to watch the register! Maybe I should also include to bring a calculator and don't get overwhelmed! I didn't want to make the process long winded and I also didn't have my plan down pat this time cause of being unsure of what I needed to buy and what would be on sale. To put it shortly, after examining the receipt I realized that four of my coupons didn't double up all the way to the price of the items that should have been free. I was only outed .12 cents an item so it only cost me .48 cents which a lot would think isn't that big of a deal. However, if I had bought this item in a year stockpile option then it could quickly add up.

So, I learned a few things during this trip.

1. Be better prepared.

2. Don't worry about people behind you and don't get in a hurry.

3. Know your process at the register. I.E. order of food on belt, loyalty card then catalinas then coupons

4. Tell the cashier to please not start until you can watch the register & that you will be using coupons.

5. Hand your coupons to the cashier by item at a time. If you have 10 like items then hand the 10 coupons and watch that they scan, bring down the total, and if they double that they double to the right amount.

6. If you have coupons that double but you can't receive overage then write down on your shopping list how much it should double too.

7. Just remember to not get overwhelmed or frustrated. Take your time and if you have a time restriction then it may not be the best time to shop.

Coupon Policy Links

I have compiled a long list of Corporate Coupon Policies that are available on the internet. If you don't see a store it is that I didn't know of that Chain. If you want to add the link then just comment below and I will update the list. If you roll over the name of a store but there is no link then this store does not have an online link but I will try to contact for a policy.

If you can't find your store just simply search for the coupon policy by going to a search engine and typing in the store's name along with coupon policy. Whether its online or not you might find a link to a coupon policy that a blog put online through a e-mail that corp sent them.


Super Centers                              Drug Stores


Fred Meyer                                    CVS
K-Mart                                           Kerr Drug
Target                                            Rite-Aid
Walmart                                         Walgreens
                                                    

Grocery Chains                           Dollar Stores


Acme                                           Dollar General                                    
Albertsons                                   Family Dollar

Bel Air
Bi-Lo
Bloom

Carr's
Commissary

Dominick's

Earth Fare

Food City
Food Lion

Genuardi's

Harris Teeter
Harvey's
H-E-B

Ingles

Kroger

Lowes Foods

Meijers

Nob Hill

Pavillions
Piggly Wiggly
Publix

Raleys
Randalls

Safeway
Save-A-Lot
Smiths
Sweetbay

Tom Thumb

Vons

Whole Foods
Winco
Winn Dixie

Stockpiling - How To Begin

If you want to be a serious saver then you need to stockpile. Stockpiling will help you take an item off your list until it comes on sale again. Since the Markets have a monthly sale cycle and even a yearly sale cycle, you need to know when to buy an item because its at its lowest price.  So how do you begin stockpiling so the maximum saving can begin?

I have began stockpiling by not really using my grocery budget. I have a tight budget and even though I'm not brand loyal which is ideal for a stockpiler, my significant other is very brand loyal.  I have been checking the blogs and weekly ads for coupon match ups that will allow me to get a product for free. Since I live where the grocery stores don't allow overage so then I have to at least pay taxes on the item.  Thankfully since I use coupons I can make up for the taxes I have to pay.  The brands that my significant other uses hasn't gone on sale yet but then again I haven't been couponing that long.  But I know that if I can start stockpiling with such a tight budget then anyone can do accomplish the art of stockpiling.

Thankfully some of the most expensive items can be acquired for pennies on the dollar. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, body wash, and even Listerine mouthwash can all be free and stockpiled quite easily.  I have been able to use the printable coupons to stockpile but since you are limited to two coupons per computer, I normally go to a friends house that doesn't coupon nor maybe wants the item on sale in order to print out more coupons.

So if you are going to stockpile:

Don't be brand loyal, if you are then make sure you can stockpile maybe a years worth at a time.

Start out stockpiling the freebies so that way you can knock out part of your budget later on.

If you have a chance set aside $10 or $20 out of your budget to stockpile once you can.

Write down what your family use the most of and try to stockpile these items first.

Be aware of expiration dates and use or donate the stock that will expire soon.

Utilize appliances like deep freezers and food savers.

The Basics - Starter Blog For Category

I love a one stop shop where I can get everything.  This is why I love places like Franklin Square ( a huge 4 or 5 section shopping area in NC)! So naturally I want my Blog to be a one stop shop for beginners.  I want you to be able to get all the info your brain requires in order to be a successful coupon user. If you have explored my blog you can tell that I've just started putting things to together but that hopefully with the page section you have a basic under standing of the coupon world that I hope to develop in this category.

Please understand that no matter how much you read, organize, and plan, coupons can never become fully understood until you act upon all that you have learned. This means go to the grocery store and put your learning into action. You will hopefully learn that each store, cashier, computer system, and even coupon are different and people respond different to the use of coupons. I will try my best to keep the Tips page updated on the things you need to know when it comes to shopping. If you are an avid coupon shopper or just a beginner and you have an experience or tip that you would like to share then please leave a comment or contact me thru my Contact page. I would love to hear from you!

Sometimes in this section you may find that I have multiple post of the same subject such as Coupon Policies, How To Avoid Coupon Fraud, and Stockpiling.  They won't be the exact posting but I will go back over these and even hopefully to able to add more information about the subject because these are important basics that no coupner should forget.  Being a sports player (especially basketball) has taught me that when things go wrong, go back to the basics. They will never fail you and you can always build and rebuild on your basics. I have plenty of categories besides this one that will help you build on the basics and I hope you take advantage of this situation and soon you'll be an expert in no time! Just be patient take one step at a time and don't be afraid to look up coupon forums where you can ask questions to other fellow couponers! You can even ask me questions and even if I don't know, you best believe I'll do the research to find out!