a question about stockpiling

[littlegoogi]

so I have been a proud scer for 8 months now and have learned so much but I still have a couple questions. Being unemployed I have had to cut my cost a lot but have manged with this rather well being my cupboards always have food and suppers are healthy and cheap but I have not been able to start a real stock pile. I do have 9 laundry detergent, 5 things of shampoo and conditioner, snacks for DD lunches and will hopefully have enough juice boxes for her till end of school, but I had a little TP stock but trying to stock other things and still stay under budget I have ran out of TP this week! OMG ! a couponers nightmare ! Now I just reliezed both cat and dog are almost out now and this month is DD birthday. So my question is how do you balance both week to week budget and end up getting a stockpile of the basics to last longer then a month or 2 ? and 2 I dont know if it just me or what but I never know what coupons come out all the time and what I need to cherish. I see households with
P&G all the time but what about food is it seasonal or what ? please help if possible thank you

[Chantel]

Things happen. Don't fret. You have to REALLY stock up whenever things are cheap.

I have minimal expenses because I still live at home, but if you can, cut costs where no coupons are involved. Call companies that you pay on a regular basis like internet and phone and ask for better rates. Pocket that extra few bucks each month saved, and stockpile that extra money.

This saves your butt in two ways:
1. If you run out of something, you have a little $ saved so if there really is no other option, you can get some and not break your budget.
2. When something is a REALLY good deal, you CAN stock up because you have a few extra $. So instead of only buying 1 cheap/free deodorant at that time because tax adds up, you can get five and be good for extra long.

It takes time, constant care and watching for sales, and scooping up deals wherever you can.

As for P&G, it's probably stacking. I have tons of it because I stacked for it before they stopped allowing it.

[Chantel]

Also if you can help it, don't buy juiceboxes. Get a reusable bottle, and buy canned frozen juices. Do a little math and see how many servings you can get out of it (it's quite a few, honestly) and either mix them one at a time or mix the jug and pour into the container each day. Saves recycling fees and everything. Superstore sells their store brand ones for 65c each, and I think each one makes at least a couple litres of juice.

[littlegoogi]

ya I was sending DD with a container but the only ones I have found can be so hard to get it completely clean and then need to be replaced, I have only been doing the juice boxes cause I have been getting the FPC for them hope to have 15 in total before march when the coupon expires

[littlegoogi]

thank you chantel. I guess it just comes with more practice, wish I was somewhere to stack I live in cornwall ontario and it is not coupon friendly

[Peachykeen2007]

I am a single mom of 2 and I have a decent stockpile, yes most of it came from London Drugs as I was able to stack (diapers, wipes, beauty items), however I would say the majority of my best deals have been from the clearance sections at places like Walmart, Superstore, Rexall and Shopper's.

As for grocery items - money is tight but I go grocery shopping every 2 months besides the week to week items like milk and bread and fruits/veggies

When you find a really really good deal stock up (boxed potatoes/rice/side kicks)

As for juice I would have to kinda agree on the above poster but not necessarily that is the case - my oldest takes Kool-Aid Jammers (yes not the healthiest) but when Zellers puts it on for $1.47 a box of 12 I stock pile them for his lunchs

You can always check these sections to help you out

trading - http://forum.smartcanucks.ca/canadia...ng-discussion/

brags - http://forum.smartcanucks.ca/canadia...ng-discussion/

deals - http://forum.smartcanucks.ca/270321-...rd-9th-canada/

coupons - http://forum.smartcanucks.ca/262910-...n-zone-canada/

From the help of any of those thread - I am sure you can start your own stock pile to with a little time and help from all of us

[littlegoogi]

I thank you peachykeen2007 I have thought of trying a month planning but find myself wanting to still shop the deals every week with all the scer's nabbing great deals when I shouldn't lol I may try to budget that in. Month of grocery at once and then just a small top off budget weekly. See this is why I love this site

[coley3]

There are many ways to go about getting a stockplie. But it does take awhile. Because you will be looking for deals you will only be filling up your stockpile one section at a time. It also takes money. So you need to have a little left in your budget to buy some extras of a product if it is on for a good price. I also pair it up with a rewards program.So either Shoppers Drug Mart for Optimum points or Safeway for Air Miles or Sobey's for Club Sobey points. That way I am also getting something back. For example I just found at Sobey's last week that they had Kraft pizza kits on for $4.99 (I have never seen it that cheap). It also came with buy 2 get 200 points. So I bought 6 (we use 2 a month for pizza night. Yes I could make my own dough etc. But we like this as a treat). So I stockpiled for 3 months and got 600 points out of the deal as well. 750 points = $5 at Sobey's. So I almost made $5 out of getting really cheap pizza kits. It was a win win. I also look for deals at Safeway when they have their Air Mile deals on. I think you have metro though that does AM's. Those are great too. When you really start watching the deals the AM's add up fast and then you can redeem for GC's. To use on future grocery shopping trips.

I get alot of tips watching the brag board. I also join a few regular trains here and there to get some different food coupons that I might not get here. It helps with the grocery shopping.

[wolfwoman]

I agree. It does take money to save money in the long end. ie, Wal-mart has Tomato Accents on for 1.77 ea, I have 19 coupons for buy 2 get $1.00 off. So I am buying 38 cans which will come to $70.63 - $19.00(coupons)= $51.63 I will have 38 cans of tomatoes and saved $19.00. But to get that I will have had to spend money. But keep with the coupons, it does take awhile and your stockpile will build up eventually

[Abby5]

I have just started mine again. I look for others help on here . I only stock pile when items are super cheap -- no just to stock pile ! Last week I stock piled dove body wash, and dishwasher detergent. This week so far, tositos and apples!! I don't have extra money either so that is how I do it good luck

[Rika]

stockpiles build up slowly when your money is tight but over time you slowly will build it up and get ahead

[wolfwoman]

this is why I LOVE this site! I was just PMed by another SCer about my Accents tomatoes and she just save me alot more money. THANK YOU!!!

[Leigh-Anne]

I usually wait for the best deals, pricematching along the way.

[eve160450]

I agree. It does take money to save money in the long end. ie, Wal-mart has Tomato Accents on for 1.77 ea, I have 19 coupons for buy 2 get $1.00 off. So I am buying 38 cans which will come to $70.63 - $19.00(coupons)= $51.63 I will have 38 cans of tomatoes and saved $19.00. But to get that I will have had to spend money. But keep with the coupons, it does take awhile and your stockpile will build up eventually

YES it does take spending a little money to save. But worth it in the long run. Wolfwoman I quoted you because on the 2nd my Walmart had the Accents on for $1.00 a can. I bought 8 and used the coupon making them $0.50 a can. Do Walmarts often have different prices depending on which location?

[eve160450]

this is why I LOVE this site! I was just PMed by another SCer about my Accents tomatoes and she just save me alot more money. THANK YOU!!!

LOL what did she share with you? Care to share with me?