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Home > Blogs > Here's the Deal: Bargains in Hamilton and Middletown > Archives > 2011 > April > 27 > Entry
Why you should stockpile groceries
The new show “Extreme Couponing” on TLC has brought some positive and negative light to the world of couponing and stockpiling.
I’ve been an avid couponer for three years. I was inspired to save after meeting a couponer from Monroe who is now one of the bloggers on a great website, Savings Lifestyle. The thing that inspired me was she was saving money on the things her household needed by stockpiling items at a good price. This allowed her to have more money for things rarely on sale or unexpected purchases.
Stockpiling is a great way to save money— but it’s only effective if you’re only buying in quantities realistic for your household. Frankly, a lot of the people on “Extreme Couponing” take it too far. It’s not so much saving as it is hoarding.
No one needs 500 boxes of cereal— that food is going to expire before you use it, which means it’s a waste of money no matter how cheap you got it. Even worse, if those boxes had been left for other shoppers or were donated to a food pantry or shelter, at least they would have been used.
But there is a way to use coupons and stockpile responsibly while saving money.
So how can you stockpile the right way with coupons? It takes time to figure out exactly how much of an item your family will use. Certain household items such as toilet paper, cleaners, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo and washing machine and dishwasher detergent are always great to stockpile because you rarely run into a situation when those items will expire before you can use them.
I use “The Rule of One” when it comes to stockpiling: If the above item is on sale for less than $1 with coupon, it’s a fairly good price. If you can buy the same item for $1 at Dollar Tree, then do not buy it unless it is under that price.
Another rule for stockpiling is to compare the price to generics. If the sale price with coupon is less than the sale price of a generic item, then the item is worth buying.
These are just basic rules. Many times you can get toothbrushes, deodorant, toothpaste and the like for free. Obviously, free is better than paying 50 cents. Whenever an item is free or a few pennies in cost, you should stockpile.
Generally, build the foundation for your stockpile when items are at their “rock-bottom” price. That means that box of pasta is free or less than 25 cents. Buy as many as you can and will use. Don’t freak out if you wanted to buy 10 bottles of shampoo and the store only had nine. You can always come back to the store later. Also, the sale will come around again, and sometimes you can get the same sale at a different store later.
For my household, I can never get enough pasta. I may buy 20 boxes if I have enough coupons. I rarely buy coupons from a clipping service, and when I do it’s usually because it is something I really need and I know I will get the coupons in the mail before the sale ends. When you buy coupons, you are adding to the cost of the item, so make sure the price of the coupons in conjunction with the sale price still make it a good deal. I use The Q Hunter, but there are plenty of clipping services out there.
Having 20 bottles of washing machine detergent is not extreme— it’s just practical, especially if you got that detergent for free or less than $1 with coupon. It means you’ll be washing your clothes for a lot less, and will have enough bottles to last until the next sale comes around. In my book, that’s smart shopping.
Having 150 bottles of detergent is extreme. Period.
As you get into the regular cycle of couponing, you’ll get a better idea of what items to buy and stockpile. You may not pay $6 for $400 worth of stuff, but if you save 50 percent off your grocery bill because you’re using coupons and stockpiling items, you’re doing a great job in my book.
Comments
By Mildred Slade
April 27, 2011 6:51 AM | Link to this
I believe this is a good article and I support the concept of stockpiling. Not all people are fortunate enough to have the funds to stockpile. The oil industry, at various levels has obviously chosen to turn away from any form of loyalty to America and gouge us. I do, expect (if they want my continued support) the Republican side to investigate the oil industry. Gasoline is vital to the recovery and the Arab nations owe us some form of support as we fight for them at great cost with our military! The Obama Admin. claim they are looking into the oil industry for gouging and probably encouraging them at the same time. Obama wants all of the climategate garb to work while our oil resources in the gulf sit there. Very good article. Thank you.