This week we are going to hear from Stephanie, a mother of two that currently works full time while her husband stays home with the kids. Stephanie is going to share with us her experience of building a stockpile over the last year – it’s a story that I think many of us will relate to!
Last year we found out my husband was losing his job which would cut our income in half. I knew we needed a way to save money, since we certainly didn’t lose our bills along with my husband’s paycheck. A few friends told me about how to get things cheaply from the drug stores, but what they were saying didn’t really sink in. I subscribed to our Sunday paper to get the coupon inserts, cutting out each coupon I thought I would need – of course, I’ve since come to find out this was not only a waste of time, but actually cost me in lost money & products in the months following. However, something finally clicked for me when I was referred to the weekly Publix deals at I Heart Publix. Soon Tuesday became my favorite day of the week – it was ‘Super Deals from Michelle’ day!
I started out only saving a little, but I got it little by little, and I will never forget my first real coupon experience. I went to Publix on a Saturday and filled my cart with 5 Dr. Pepper (my husband’s poison), 20 boxes of Ziploc bags, 16 boxes of Hefty produce bags, produce, a Publix sub, 20 bottles of A1, 16 bottles of BBQ sauce, and a few smaller things that I can’t recall. The grocery manager was my cashier that day, and I remember being excited as I handed over my STACK of coupons; my total before coupons was $245, and when he was all done scanning coupons, I paid just $13.17 oop. The older couple behind me said, “That’s it?!??!?” and the manager just couldn’t believe my oop. I walked out of Publix smiling and couldn’t stop laughing at my success! I have officially earned the title of “Coupon Queen” at my Publix now, and that same manager always remembers me and says “Hi.”
Since that first success, I have been stockpiling many things for my family. Recently, I have been following the drug store sales, too, in order to roll RR (Walgreens), ECB (CVS) and GC (Target) and to build my stockpile of other things that I can’t find or get at Publix for super cheap (or FREE!). I have found it so helpful to know that when we run out of things, I can go to my stockpile and get whatever we need – with variety. My husband always comments about the amount of feminine products I purchase 🙂 – but hey, they are essential, and sometimes that’s where the overage occurs!!
Here’s some pictures of my current stockpile:
Overview of my garage stockpile. The most I paid for anything in this picture was for the containers themselves!
Top shelf: razors
Bottom shelf: body wash
Top shelf: feminine products (currently have 3 of these), deodorant and oral care (toothpaste, toothbrushes & floss)
Bottom shelf: shampoo/conditioner and shaving cream
Laundry detergent: you can only see the front rows in this picture, but there is even MORE behind these bottles!
40 Bounty paper towels: FREE
Paper from Staples: $2.49
Coupons = priceless!I’m not sure how much I have saved as I’m not that good at keeping track, but I do know that my family has all the essentials and we have been able to pay for other things with the grocery money I have saved over the past year. More recently, a few friends and I have been able to get together and make care packages for some people in need. It’s a great feeling to know that we can help out others in need with our huge stockpile of non-food items (thanks to the super deals we all get by using coupons!).
If you’re just starting out like I was a year ago, know that you too can have a great stockpile of food and non-food items. Of course, like Michelle said a few weeks ago, your stockpile won’t look like hers or mine, but in time you will have enough for your family. It’s a process and takes dedication, but at the end of each week, just think of it like this: “this week I saved $_____ and I have a healthy supply of _____.” Thanks Michelle for all your hard work and what you have shown me to be possible. I no longer pay full price for items!
Thanks so much, Stephanie! Remember I am always looking for more of you to jump in the spotlight!! If you would like to share something I’d love for you to email me at contactiheartpublix@gmail.com. You can write about anything that you would like to share…stockpiling, budgeting, coupon highs and lows, your best shop–anything! We all love to read others experiences so c’mon and share yours!
This is what I aspire to be 🙂
Thank you for sharing this is very awesome and a great inspiration to those of us who are just starting out. I hope to have a room just like that very soon!
Well I hope your Garage has A/C because many of those products will go bad in the heat and then it’as all done for nothing 🙂 What do you do about expiration dates?
I write the exp date on all the products so I know when they go bad.
where do you get all your coupons? thanks
My garage doesnt have A/C… and I live in S. Florida. All of my stuff keeps fine in the garage! I obviously dont leave perishables out there but household items, boxed/canned foods etc. are fine out there!
Actually it’s a really bad idea to keep food in the garage period because many people don’t know it but metal cans can leach BPA and other chemicals into food if stored in high temperatures. Same thing with plastics used to package foods. That’s why food is recommended to be stored in a cool, dry place not because it spoils faster but because of the containers it is in. These containers normally will not leach, but will if left in warm, humid places. You also shouldn’t keep these foods above the stove or near anything that creates heat for the same reason
Detergent, shampoo, and things like that are typically fine because you typically use them in rooms that are warm and humid like the bathroom, and you aren’t eating them.
HTH, it’s something I just learned recently as well.
Gosh. I just can’t comprehend that! And I want to…sincerely. I’m in awe! I keep visiting this site so that I might learn from osmosis. Congratulations on your success!
Stephanie thanks for sharing! I just really started to organize my stockpile area about 3 weeks ago. Like you I do not know how much I have saved but know that just about anything we need I have on hand. Thanks again for the pictures and your story.
Why is it “wrong” to only clip coupons for the items/brands that you use???? Seriously, I’ve seen that comment made before and I just don’t understand it. Why would I save coupons for things I know I won’t buy no matter what the discount is?
Hey Dana,
It’s not “wrong” 🙂 The concept that I use with coupons is to buy an item when it’s at it’s lowest price point…at Publix that’s typically BOGO. Some items you can get for free or super cheap so you minus well pick em up, if it’s not something you’re going to use donate it to a shelter or a food pantry. It’s more about saving money than being brand loyal. I don’t care what kind of shampoo I get, I’m just trying to get it for the cheapest price I can to save money for the household….
Hope that makes sense!
I too used to only clip what I needed…but you’d be surprised by both what you think you don’t need and what others need. For example, I don’t typically buy the Smart Balance milk – but when it was on sale a few weeks back – we all got 70 cents “overage” per carton and this past week I got it for FREE. I kept some for me and I donated the rest to a family I know in need. Those coupons you toss could be for free products or could create overage which you use on other products that typically don’t have coupons (produce, meat, etc). It’s a good way to try out a product you might not otherwise buy or there are plenty of shelters/families in need that you can always donate it to.
How do you get so much of an item with the item limits in place? There’s a limit of 1 or 2 for that stuff? Do you use multiple ECB cards or something?
I was wondering that, too.
And I wonder also about the stockpiling, sometimes. I just don’t have that kind of room in my small house. I have a storage shed, but man it’s hot outside in FL so it seems unwise to store a lot of stuff out there.
I have a small family. I am happy to have 2-3 of something and leave it at that. (Exceptions: Brita filters – which I bought about 6 of a month ago enough to last 1 year with our current pitcher)
If you store cans, please remember to rotate them out because canned food CAN still go bad if its not used. Thanks.
Lindy- nope, just one card for CVS. Lots of deals from Publix or Target that do not limit you like when you use your CVS card.
I have a stock pile like yours,only difference is you were smart enough to use clear containers.When the kids or someone else is over to get what they need I always end up restacking every thing when they leave.
20 bottles of A1? Sometimes these super-savings lists sound more like obsessive hoarding than reasonable shopping.
Doug- you may think that, but I have donated a lot of my food items to other families without jobs. So while its a lot to purchase, I share it with my friends.
But you should stills ave some for the other shoppers. There is a time where it is a bit excessive, don’t you think?
I have to agree with Doug and Heather a little in the sense that for some of us this seems excessive. But that is because I don’t have a church group and other groups that I get together and give away stuff I buy. I frankly don’t have time so I just purchase what my husband and I need. No kids and no plans to have them so I don’t want a huge stockpile. I get frustrated sometimes yes when the shelves are bare at my local Publix ONLY because they are so great. I have had managers help me to my car and always take the time to help and I worry that if people are excessively buying something they may change their policy to be more like what some of you experience, like in FL. My Publix takes Target coupons and doubles so I don’t want to lose that privilege.
So I know this story means well but I can see why some people are freaked out about it. Some of us are mini stockpilers and it blows our mind that someone would need that much of anything.
Yes, I agree. I went to buy Whitehouse apple juice with the coupon in the Smart Savings books and I ended up traveling to two different Publix stores because they were all sold out. I asked for a rain check and was given one, and it was then the clerk informed me that a single person came in and got 50 bottles of apple juice with coupons.
Yes, perhaps they had a good reason. I hope it was for a school or a place of worship, but it really does seem unfair to some of us who work jobs and raise kids and don’t have the time to go to Publix at 8am and buy 50 bottles of apple juice for $.67 each.
i completely agree! this is way too much..
our family also knows the pain of having an income go from comfortable to extremely uncomfortable! the last 2 years in our family has been heartwrenching so i know the feeling of wanting to feel ‘safe’ that you have what you need to provide for your family…remember that these things are always! on sale and you only need about 6 weeks worth before things are on sale again! i pray that you are helping others with this stockpile as i know many of us do…this is just way too much and frustrating for those of us who shop properly so that there are sale items left on the shelf for others! we need to support each other by not hoarding!
I amazes me at the lack of understanding that some people have when it comes to YOU working at this tedious task to provide for your family’s needs. How in the world do they know what you need or who all you are assisting with the knowledge and skill you have gained? Your family had an impending crisis and you decided to take action. It takes a while to build up the materials you have gathered. So because one person comes in to purchase a large quantity of a product, we all are to blame? Anyone who is really into this process develops relationships where they can special order product so as not to deplete the shelves. If another patron doesn’t wish to take the time and work with the stores, then they shouldn’t be attacking you. I’d much rather see you doing what you are doing than struggling to keep toilet paper in the house. I also find that people who love to question why you have a need have never had a real need or crisis in their home or community. What “blows my mind” is that somoene who can be so critical of you when you haven’t asked them for one dime, one coupon, one tank of gas or one minute of assistance for all of the time it takes to do what you do. Take care of your family and thank you for helping your community. I’m sure your work surpasses anything any of these critics do for their neighbors. You actually understand everyone can’t do what you do, but they still need help getting by. More power to you and I THINK YOUR STOCKPILE IS GREAT!!!!!
Doug/Heather/Alice: Please know that when I am about to get a great deal (large count) on something that I special order it. I know the feeling of getting to the store and finding nothing there. My store is always willing to special order the amount I need so the products are there for other consumers. Its only fun when others get the deal too.
Stephanie – Thanks for clarifying this; I think that you are very courteous to special order rather than clear the shelves like some people do!
Everyone should keep in mind that there are many different ways to stockpile, save, and share our great deals. Stephanie is providing for her family and for other families in need, and all for pennies! It feels like a lot of other commenters are attacking the way she does things, but it’s not our place to determine how other people should shop and save. I for one found her spotlight interesting and I always love to see pics of other people stockpiles (whether they look like mine or not)! Thanks Stephanie!!
Then I do owe you an apology. If this is what you do, then by all means…..buy away!
What’s the best way to get paper products? What are the best stock-up prices? I always see on blogs that people are able to stockpile paper towels, toilet paper, ziplocs, but the only qs I ever seem to get for those are $0.25 or $0.50 off. I don’t ever see those items priced that low. Where is the best place to get those?
Great question – I feel the same. I sometimes see the ‘free papertowels wyb x’ coupons, and I snag those a lot but my Publix doesn’t double Qs (I’m in FL)…so it would be good to see how some people are scoring such great deals.
Sarah- a while back there was a q from target in the inserts for $1/1 Bounty. The bounty basis was listed at .99 – therefore it was free.
I’m in S. FL too (no doubles), and my Publix won’t take Target qs. So, what would be a good price for stockpiling for paper products? How would you figure it out??
Sarah- as Michelle always says, you need to determine what price point you will purchase items at. When my husband lost his job – we stop buying things like paper towels and used hand towels. When the coupon came out where we wouldn’t have to pay anything, I was able to go and get a great stock of it. This is a process and it won’t come right away. As you save money on a few items each week, you will learn the trends of the store and figure out what is a decent, good and super buy. Take your time – its a learning process and I am still learning each week. As long as you save a little money this week, your doing great!
When I grow up I want to be like you Steph 🙂 It’s funny cause I got Stephanie into the couponing and now we talk daily and I call HER about the deals 99% of the time. She is amazing at getting these deals and coming up with great scenarios each week and the best part about her couponing is that her and I became such great friends in the process 🙂 Love you girly!
I love you Katie!!!
Is the ‘your comment is awaiting moderation’ a new feature, or did I do something wrong? I have never had that before. 🙁
I have a stockpile but not quite that large, hubby just asked me the other day when I got the SUPER cheap deodorant how much he possibly needed and I said as much as I can buy when it is only .35:)!
That’s awesome! Keep up the great deals!
Where do you get all of your coupons to buy 20 items of anything?? I buy 3 papers every Sunday and have purchased some coupons from a website, but am curious how you guys get so many coupons!!
Yes, I am curious about this same thing. Please enlighten a newb like myself 🙂
I’m already printing off 3 different computers.
Yes, I print off two and sometimes go and buy and extra paper if the coupons seems especially good, but some people have 20 and 30 coupons for the same item. I wonder how much they are spending on newspapers!
There are websites where you can purchase coupons. I also believe that you can get them on eBay as well. I’ve also read about people asking for people’s unused newspaper inserts.
Is that really worth it? I thought some of those places were scams?
Yes, it is worth it! For example, this past sale I purchased 20 Nutri-Grain bar $1.00 off 1 coupons from ebay for $2.00 ($.10 cents each). They were BOGO making each box $1.75 + $.10 for the coupon = 1.85. After coupon it is .$85 per box. We eat a lot of ceral bars so this was a great deal for me.
If the product is a really good deal and you want multiple items of the same product and didnt buy 20 papers then you can buy them off of websites that sell coupons. Ebay is also another good place to buy them at.
depending on the sale and the amount I will be paying for the item… I will buy more coupons from many coupon places. This is why I am so grateful for IHEARTPUBLIX because it gives me plenty of time to get my coupons together and order enough to get the amount I want.
have you tried asking friends or family members who get papers and don’t use coupons? My dad gives me all of his and my MIL gives me most of hers and the ones she gets from her father so I only buy 1 paper but may end of with 4-5 sets of coupons. My paper costs 1.75 so I hate to buy a bunch of them.
With the help of ladies at my church who give me their unwanted coupons, I am able to save lots of money. This week I just barely did cash in on the BOGO Right Guard deal! 12 deodorants absolutely free!
I can relate to Stephanie so well. I was layed off last year and I’m still looking for a job. I got serious about couponing about 6 months ago and since then I have been able to cover unexpected expenses that showed up without having to use a credit card.
Yes I stockpile. No, I’m not sick or crazy. Yes I am picky about what I eat and so is the rest of my family. I have brand loyalty on some items and I don’t eat anything with high fructose corn syrup but I’m still saving money!Saving and stockpiling has reduced my anxiety when the bills come in every month.
Thank you for inspiring and thank you for sharing the tricks of the trade. I spend a lot of time pulling the coupons together etc, but I can’t imagine how much time it takes to put all of this together. For this I am extremely grateful!
Im so glad to see this post, Michelle! I get A LOT of heat on my blog about buying large quantities. I love stockpiling! Thank you thank you thank you for posting this. I hope that someday stockpilers aren’t looked down upon. We are smart cookies! 😛
I’m just going to say that the reason I think you get a lot of heat is because you buy large quantities of things you don’t need just to get everything else you need for free.
I think it’s one thing to buy 3-4 of something solely for the overage, but 50 can be excessive (even if you special order them, which clears out the warehouse because they will fill special orders before regular store orders…), unless you can use 50 by time the next sale rolls along.
The reason these stockpilers get praise is because they are buying what their family can use in a year, before it expires, or before the sale rolls around again and buy a few things to get overage. On the other hand a person will most certainly get heat if you buy large quantities solely to get overages. I think if you pay attention to all the deal blogs (iheartpublix included)out there you won’t see 50 or more of something unless it is something their family really uses a lot of, and once they have a stockpile they are pretty much in maintenance mode from then on out.
It’s all about intent. If you first intent is to buy 50 of something for overages alone then you are going to get heat, even if you special order and then donate because your sole purpose was the overages not to stock up on a good value for something your family uses.
I’ll also point out that your manager let’s you do a ton more than most managers allow (1 publix coupon for 50 items, way expired coupons, large quantity special order and rainchecks, etc.) some of us are lucky to get even one of those things let alone all of them.
How in the world can a stranger know what another family really needs? How do you know whom all a person is helping? People are making alot of assumptions and that is sad. The ONLY time I’ve every purchased an extreme amount of anything was when the store inadvertently ordered too much and were going to have to eat the cost. Because I have a personal relationship with my store, I was informed of their problem. I and another couponer worked to find coupons to help purchase the items from them. Those excess things were used or donated. If the store manager is willing to work with a person what harm is it causing anyone else? What is going to eventually happen is people like Stephanie and others who are so willing to share what they’ve learned are going to pull back and keep it to themselves. I wouldn’t be willing to try and help motivate others by showing them what I’ve been able to do if I’m going to be attacked. Stephanie I hope this comment and others like it don’t discourage you. I really came to read the comments to get additional pointers after seeing you post. All these negative individuals have done is make me feel sorry for you for ever trying to reach out. Of course you can stop tomorrow and when your garage is empty you can reach out to them for help, but I’m sure the criticism would revert to you begging for a handout. Take care and stay strong.
Attacked? Because they questioned something someone said or did? Are we really that thin-skinned around here?
Umm, excuse me, I wasn’t talking to the original poster, I was talking to the person “frugallittlething” who didn’t understand why she got heat on her blog.
Stephanie buys things for her family, that her family can use, and that is a good thing! That is good stockpiling.
“frugallittlething” gets a lot of crap for her large purchases, and I was explaining why I thought that was (which is that “frugallittlething” often buys a ton of one thing with the original intent of getting overages to buy her other groceries). So please calm down and take a few seconds to see where and to who the comments are written to before attacking someone and taking their words out of context. Furthermore, I’m pretty certain most of the comments on here are actually positive, so I’m not sure what you are reading.
Thank you for saying excuse me, I’m sure the person you were speaking against appreciates that.
I am reading the posts above that are very critical – period. In regards to frugallittlething buying large purchases to get overage to eat away at the cost of other things her family NEEDS is still no reason for you to go off on her. Do you have any idea how much money her family has coming in or what she can afford to get without the use of overage? Better yet, let her go on some form of assistance to help provide for her family – rather than using coupons that the store will get reimbursement for to help lower her overall cost – that would be even better for criticism. Maybe this post will allow you to feel some of the anxiety the person you were criticizing must have felt. Attacking any person for trying to take care of their family in an ethical and legal way is wrong. Mabye I should calm down, but there are others replying to these women who need to look at why they are so quick to judge. How many negative comments do you think need to be directed at any individual before someone shows them support up?
Deena (I can’t reply directly to your comment), see you are doing just what you claim others are doing. You don’t know me either! I have felt anxiety! I have been on food stamps in my life and had every thing I purchased questioned. You think couponers and stockpilers get rude and nasty comments and looks, try using foodstamps, where everyone thinks they know what you need (or don’t need) and your entire life history. I know all too well the importance of stockpiling and stockpile myself. You’ve made a lot of assumptions to the people you are making negative comments to, doing exactly what you accuse them of doing.
Do you look at “frugallittlethings” blog? If so you would realize she gets most of her groceries free by using mostly store and competitor coupons, which the store will not be reimbursed for! Her store allows her to use Publix and competitor coupons a month after they expire. Her store allows her 1 Publix coupon to buy 50 items, when many people would need 50 Publix coupons, and some people’s Publix won’t even allow more than one of the same coupon because of the wording on the coupon. Sure her Publix let’s her do it, but most do not.
No, I don’t know her exact situation, but she wants to know why she gets heat and I’m telling her why I think that is. I don’t see the point in buying large amounts of coupons for products you don’t need (54 Sominex?!?) just to buy things you do need. I also don’t consider purchasing coupons to be ethical or legal, but that’s a matter of personal opinion.
“Frugallittlething” is always stating on both her blog and on here that people give her crap and she doesn’t like it, so I’m telling her why people will give Stephanie and Michelle praise, but give her nasty remarks. I didn’t say anything nasty to her (seriously check out her blog she gets called all sorts of nasty things), I explained in an adult manner why I think people are mean to her, but nice to other stockpilers.
I wish that there is no such thing as a negative comment, but that’s the internet. I’m sure Stephanie has had many a nasty comment about her stockpiling before and will again, just like every other stockpiler. People are allowed different opinions and when you put yourself out there on the internet your going to get positive and negative comments because everyone thinks differently! Sure I see a few overly negative comments, a few other comments of a slightly negative nature, a few constructive criticisms, but then I see mostly positive comments here…
Those are some awesome, organized pictures! Great stockpiling. I WISH I could stockpile papertowel … hubby goes through so much, I just get it from Costco (kirkland brand) and suck up. 🙂
I need some deoderant, care to send me some? I seem to be missing the deals on WOMEN’s deoderant lately … whats up with that??
A1 Steak sauce? Yummm. We use that stuff (bold & spicy) on EVERYTHING! So 20 bottles? No problem in my house (no, I only have 6 or 7 right now) …
For women’s deodorant you can get some Lady Speed Stick at Krogers with coupons for FREE. I don’t normally like to go to Krogers but, if its for free items, I will make a trip there. It’s on sale for 88 cents. 50 cents and 75 cents coupons can be used to score them for FREE or for VERY cheap.
Wow, Stephanie! That is amazing! I hope to be able to write a story like that someday! I am finding it hard to get things for free or with overage. My Publix (Central Florida) doesn’t double and my papers don’t always come with the coupons that are listed on this site. I have done some buying on eBay, but I seem to be buying the wrong coupons for the products that are on sale. I would love to know how you get so much overage so that your meat, produce, etc. come down to almost nothing. I usually save over $100 each time I shop which I love, but I want to get to where I can only spend $20 and save $200! Thanks again for sharing, Stephanie.
This is awesome. Thanks for sharing. I had to laugh at the containers being the only thing you actually paid for. The items I use for actual “storage” are typically the only things that cost me money!
Wow. This is inspirational. I love how her family moved from subsistance living, to living at peace to abundance that over flows to those in need. The ‘priceless’ for me in the coupon equation is being able to sleep at night. No longer am I waking up or tossing and turning fretting over bills and will we have enough food. My next goal-to be in a place by the end of the year where I can make gift baskets too. I regularly give out of my growing stockpile but nothing like that. Thanks for the new goal!
I also have started stockpiling in the last month or so. Would not believe the deals I’ve gotten. Just this month I paid $540.25 for $1284.96 worth of groceries. Saved $744.71! I don’t stockpile to this extreme, I think hubby would put a stop to it because I’d be taking over his garage/man cave. But I don’t judge, I realize that several items that I’ve stocked up on were made up of several sales so I’m not walking out with a buggy full of one item. Although I did have the cashier give me several looks this last time. I bought 13 tubes of Crest toothpaste, they were having a sale 10 for $10 so I got 13 because I had the coupons for it. She got very irritated and asked me if I cleared the shelf, if so she’d have to stop me. There was a bucket full in that isle.
But I have decided that toothpaste, deodorant, disposable razors and such, I seem to be finding a lot of free deals. Told hubby that I was going to continue to get these items and during the Holiday season when my kids at school are taking donations I’d send my extras. :o)
Thank you for this post!!! <3 <3
THAT IS FANTASTIC!!! You have inspired me to go back out there (I’ve been in a bit of a slump of couponing – not that I don’t want to..just haven’t attacked the deals like I used to and my stockpile is showing it!). And I need to add that I LOVE your organization! I didn’t think to put them in bins like that! I have mine in baskets and have to take them out to see what’s in there! LOVE this!! Thank you for posting and thank you for the inspiration!!
Wow, that is awesome! I was also wondering how you get all your coupons. I get the paper, print off the internet and occasionally purchase from a clipping service. Is there any other way I am not aware of?
I am new to this, so what does “RR (Walgreen’s)”, “ECB (CVS)” and “GC (Target)” mean? Thanks!
This site doesn’t deal with those stores, check out her other site, iheatsavingmoney.com. She should have an explanation of how to use coupons at Walgreens, etc. there. 🙂
I’m totally going to buy bins! Mine is all shoved under the bathroom counter. I need organization.
WOW Stephanie! Good job and great article!
It is very hard for some people to understand the benefits of stockpiling until they have done it themselves and realize how much money they will save in the long run and how much you are able to help others. In this tough economy, there are a lot of people really hurting, we all want to help, but its difficult to do when you can barely feed your own family.
I look at stockpiling like creating a supply of all of the things that my family will use or need for a specific period of time (usually based upon shelf life of the product) and buy when the item is at its lowest price or free so that I no longer depend upon the stores to determine what my family eats that week. The excess items that I get while couponing will go to my immediate family that need them and then are distributed out to various churches and/or families that I know of that need something. It is very rewarding on both the financial side for my family as well as being able to help others.
KUDOS to you Stephanie! Great article, great pictures, well said!
Caroline
http://www.MyCouponExpert.com
As mentioned above…I wonder how much waste there is in the stockpile. I dont think mine is as large and I have to watch expiration dates so that Im not just buying to throw away. Hopefully people are donating, as has been mentioned on here many times. of course its easy to get carried away when you are newer to the process, as I am, as you have to learn the cycles of sales as it doesnt pay to have 10 of anything if you can get the same deal 2-3 months from for the same product.
Likewise when it comes to some things, such as convenience items, look to take yourself out of the consumer loop. Like buying paper towels, you can but some cloth towels and just throw them in the wash. Its enticing to buy throw away refill type products where you previously had a more permanent alternative, that doesn’t end up in landfills.
Save money but also be more eco friendly.
PM – I’m with you. I don’t use sponges. I use re-usable rags. I wash them. I don’t use paper napkins, I use fabric ones and wash them. I use handkerchiefs, and only buy tissues occasionally to have when we’re sick. We don’t buy paper plates, plastic cups or disposable silverware.
I personally don’t care if someone buys 50 or 100 items, I just wish that person wouldn’t take ALL Q booklets, peelies, etc at the store. :() Not directed at the author of the post, more of a general comment. Also, rainchecks don’t bother me, sometimes they come in handy – gives me more time to find a few more Q’s to go with the offer.
I really appreciated this as the issue of saving money has been a great frustration to me. I still feel I’m spending as much if not more money each month. I know I need to try to stockpile, but I haven’t been able to get that far. We’re still struggling to get in the house what we need for that month. I’d love if someone did a post on how to actually start working toward the stockpile. Especially on food. I have a small stash of deodorant, bodywash, and toothpaste. But can’t seem to be able to stockpile food. We never have food left by the end of the month, let online have a stockpile of it!
That is how I felt in the beginning. I was ready to quit stockpiling and just use the coupons for my weekly food. But after I got into it for 2 months.. I started to see the food slowly add up, not in money but in quantity! It is so nice to make my list and for a couple of months not have to buy this or that… Saves money and allows me to buy some goodies here and there. I know how you are feeling, so try and stick with it. On average a family of 4 will spend $100 over there grocery budget, so try and keep that into consideration! Also remember you will be stockpiling forever, You are just stockpiling right now to keep you good for months and months. YOu will not need things until the next sale cycle comes!! So you will be saving money during that time you are not buying much! That is why we see so many ladies only spending $25-$50 every week instead of $100-$150 every week… We will see a difference in out budgets very soon!! 80)
oh, and I was wondering, what is “oop”?
Out Of Pocket
Stephanie thank you for sharing. I started doing the couponing a few months ago and I do the same as you. If I can get items for less than $1 with my coupons I purchase it and send it to the food pantry at my mother in laws church. There are times when she will also keep some of the items. Last month I spent less than $15 and bought 5 meals worth of food, several bottle of body wash, soap, baby wipes, and women’s razors.
I have gotten really good at the Rite Aid shopping, last month my oop was $32 after coupons and I had $42 worth of rebates. I only spent $18 at Publix, so that week I spent less than $9.00 for our groceries and hyigene products. When it comes to our meat purchases I just get all of it at Sam’s Club. I wish I could figure out how to just shop at Publix and Kroger and not even have to go to Sam’s.
I am going to have to show this article to my husband. I have stock piled deoderant, shampoo, toothpaste, feminie products, and soap/body wash stuff. I currently have several months worth of food stocked up, so I am trying to “cut” back a little bit. However, when I can get spaghetti for $.29 a box it is hard to not pick some up.
Stephanie – keep up the good work. I am sure those that you help are grateful for the time you spend clipping coupons and shopping.
Danielle… I just recently happened upon this, and it really only works well if you have a freezer to store it in. My Hubby works as Supervisor at a local dairy company here where we live. Occasionally he’s on delivery trucks with his guys. This past week he just so happened to be in the right place at the right time. An Ingle’s they were working at was putting out meat that they had marked down to rock bottom prices. This is their last attempt to sell the meat. But they put it out REAL EARLY in the morning.
You may consider calling your local Publix or Kroger and ask if they do this and when. Unfortunately it’s early, but that maybe something that your willing to work with. It’s convenient for my hubby because he’s there at the crack of dawn… his job!
@Bethenny –
I don’t feel anyone is attacking Stephanie, but I do think people can question the necessity of stockpiling so much stuff.
I do a minor stockpile and recently was grateful that I could put together a box of stuff for friend who had fallen on hard times. I was able to give her laundry detergent and personal care items and toothpaste and toilet paper, along with foods. That was great. But how many times do we really do this? Daily? Weekly? Monthly?
Also, is it environmentally and eco-friendly?
These are valid concerns. I think what Stephanie’s doing is fine, but I know that I personally have to put/set limits on how much of my life I’m willing to devote to finding ‘the best deals ever’ and whether or not getting 15 bottles of bodywash is the best use of my money and time…no matter what I spend.
That’s just my take.
@Deena – Wow, you’re *really* angry, huh?
How do you know what some of us do in our communities? Because we don’t stockpile groceries, that translates into not doing much in our communities.
Wow.
I guess I thought this was a place where different people could express points of view, answer questions and handle criticism or questions in an adult fashion. Perhaps I was wrong?
Xysea,
I’m not angry, but I am turning the tables on people who think a little criticism is okay, but don’t want to receive it. Expressing a point of view is fine, but putting others down isn’t. You didn’t like how that felt – so I wonder how the people who were so freely put down at first felt. I’m not angry, I’m tired of how easy it is for people to be negative and think it is okay. Just because something isn’t for you doesn’t mean you have to be mean spirited. Amazing how people can respond to me pointing out these things and can’t “handle the criticism”, but so freely expressed it towards others. Maybe doing unto others AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM do unto you is just outdated.
so…organised…im so jealous.
Wow that really was motivational, I have only been couponing for about a month and am trying to learn… thanks for the post!
This is why there is nothing left when I go to the grocery store.
I hope that publix will start to put limits on items so there will be enough product available for us honest people.
How does couponing and purchasing a large quantity of an item make anyone “dishonest”?? There is nothing at all dishonest about what Stephanie does or most couponers for that matter. If you had read the previous comments you would see that she “pre-orders” her items so that she does not take all stock on hand at Publix if she is purchasing a large amount of that item. There are many weeks I don’t get to Publix until the last day of the sales…nothing in stock? Oh well, get a rain check that they are more than happy to give you. Our Publix will even honor their coupons or mfg. coupons expired if these items aren’t in stock when the sale is going on.
ok…she has a grocery store in her house! i just still don’t know how anyone can justify this in their right minds…just step back and look at those photos! that is more supplies than even a grocery store has of these items!
this is why couponers get a bad rap…this should not have been featured as a proper way to shop in my opinion!
all of you who are complaining about this stockpiling thing are wrong!!!!! I was taught all my life to have a food storage. Living in Utah, Colorado, and now Florida you never know what kind of natural disaster your going to have. My church always encouraged us to have a food storage (stockpile) that contained food,water, hygiene products, clothes, shoes, ect,number one is a 72 hour kit one to take on the go real fast and easily accessed. I would hate to be one who was not prepared when a hurricane came and my power, and water was shut off with no food or hygiene stuff to get me by, especially if I was one to run to the store last minute to find NOTHING on the shelf…….that is why having a storage (stockpiling) is important. The other day my husband asked why I was getting more deodorant because he had plenty my reply was when you have a 2 year supply then I will help others with their food storage and show them how to coupon. I don’t see the problem when your taking care of your FAMILY and HELPING others do the same. Stephanie and Katie thank you for heightening my coupon level to a greater savings and experience. Your fabulous friendship and our community service has really helped me see how we can lift others burdens when they feel a little overwhelmed with a loss job or those who are serving our Heavenly Father. Oh yea all those who are complaining about the “STOCKPILING” thing? When you have something happen to you and your NOT prepared you will wish you had a stockpile….. Because those who are prepared have nothing to worry about when a life changing experience happens.
We must belong to the same church. 😉
That comment totally made me smile Lauren 🙂
Just in case there were any doubts from any above comments of mine, I think your stockpile is great!
I dont think my stockpiling will ever get to that level. I give away so much to my extended family and church members. I make gift baskets and just give it away. I have enough for my family, and I am obsessed w/couponing. But I dont keep half of the freebees that I get. I couldnt see myself keeping that stuff when I know my brothers, or other family members are doing without. For fathers day all the men in my life got bodywash toothpaste razors deoderant. Thanks to my couponing. That made me feel better than just cluttering my closet and keeping it for myself.
Chrystalm- yes, my family lives out of state, so it would be costly to send them the items I have. That’s why I give them to other families in my church who are suffering with a job loss or other difficult times.
I volunteer on a regular basis at our local homeless shelter. You have more items than the shelter. This website should encourage readers to limit purchases not showcase readers who abuse the system.
agree completely kelli!
I think what Stephanie does is fantastic! I work with Stephanie and she is the kindest, most giving person I know! She has helped me and my family alot by showing me how this couponing stuff works.
I think showing what she has done to everyone should be a great motivator to everyone. My suggestion, you volunteer at the homeless shelter, why can’t you coupon and stockpile for them? If Stephanie can do it why can’t you and get a stockpile for the homeless shelter? I don’t think you would be complaining then. She’s not abusing the system, she’s causing no harm to anyone, she’s providing for her family.