Day 5: Creating your stockpile
(Make sure you read the first few days before going on to Day 5, Click here to get started: Beginners Guide to Couponing!
(I will post some better pictures later)
Now that you have made it to Day 5, you should feel pretty confident in your new-found skills. You have started to gather coupons, created your system for organizing the coupons, made a shopping list, learned all the lingo, and have started to save money! You have probably figured out by now how addicting it can be!!By this point you will realize how easy it is to accumulate a stockpile of the items you are purchasing. Stockpiling is an extremely important part of couponing. You will eliminate having to run to the store to buy something when you are out, and also help to prevent with impulse buying! Multiple coupon inserts will allow you to stockpile items when they are at rock bottom prices instead of just buying one.When you are first starting out it is very hard to recognize when an item is at a “stock-up” price. You will soon learn what items you can always get for FREE! To do this, you will have to start to build your own price list. Whether you actually write it down or just keep track in your head you must always pay attention to the prices of the items that you frequently purchase.In order to stockpile, you will have to forget about being brand loyal. You will be much more successful if you can buy whatever brand is on sale. I am not saying you must give up everything you like (there will always be some items that you just CANNOT give up or change to a different brand), but be open to trying another brand.Here is a list of items along with prices when they are cheap. Normally I try to get them for FREE, so I do not necessarily pay the amount that is shown. Prices and stores will vary.
| Personal Care/Toiletries | Buy Price | Stock Up Price |
| BarSoap | $.50 | FREE |
| Deodorant | $1.00 | $.50 - FREE |
| Shampoo/Conditioner | $1.00 | $.50 |
| Toothpaste/Toothbrush | $.50 | FREE |
| ShavingCream | $1.00 | $.50 - FREE |
| Razors – disposable | $1.00 | $.50 - FREE |
| Mouthwash | $1.50 | FREE |
| Floss | $.75 | $.25 |
| Q-tips | $1.50 | $1.00 |
| Feminine Products | $1.00 | FREE |
| Cleaning Supplies/ Paper Products | Buy Price | Stock Up Price |
| Toilet Paper(double roll) | $.50/roll | $.25/roll |
| Paper Towels | $.75/roll | FREE - $.25 each |
| Dishwashing Soap | $1.25 | FREE |
| Laundry Detergent | $2.50 | $1.50/32 load (smaller qty is always the better deal with coupon) |
| Trash Bags | $1.50 | $.50 |
| Toilet Bowl Cleaner | $1.50 | $1.00 |
| Sponges | $.50 | $.20 each |
| Window Cleaner | $1.00 | $.50 |
| Baby Items | Buy Price | Stock Up Price |
| Baby Food | $.25 | FREE |
| Diapers | $.14/diaper | $.10 diaper or less ($5.00/pkg)(FREE w/drugstore deals) |
| Wipes | $1.25 | $1.00/ 64ct |
| Diaper Rash Ointment | $.75 | FREE |
| Johnson’s Baby Products | $1.00 | FREE |
| Dry Items/ Pantry | Buy Price | Stock Up Price |
| BBQ sauce | $.50 | FREE (seasonal) |
| Bread | $1.00 | $.75 |
| Chips | $1.50 | $1.00 |
| Crackers | $1.00 | $.50/ box |
| Cereal | $1.00 | $.50 (depending on brand) |
| Canned Vegetables | $.50 | $.30 |
| Pasta | $.50 | FREE |
| Pasta Sauce | $1.25 | $.75 |
| Canned Soup | $1.00 | $.75 |
| Ketchup | $.75 | FREE |
| Mustard | $.75 | FREE |
| Peanut Butter | $1.25 | $1.00 |
| Jelly | $1.25 | $1.00 |
| Fruit snacks | $.75 | FREE |
| Goldfish crackers | $1.00 | $.75 |
| Salsa | $1.00 | $.75 |
| Salad Dressing | $1.00 | FREE |
| Rice | $.50 | FREE |
| Cake Mix | $1.00 | $.50 |
| Mayonnaise | $1.25 | $.75 |
| Refrigerated Items | Buy Price | Stock Up Price |
| Milk | $1.75/gallon | |
| Shredded Cheese | $1.50 | $1.00 |
| Sour Cream | $1.00 | $.75 |
| Yogurt | $.40/cup | FREE |
| Coffee creamer | $.75 | $.50 |
| Spreadable Butter | $1.00 | $.25 |
| Cream Cheese | $1.00 | $.50 |
| Eggs | $1.00 |
| Meat | Buy Price | Stock Up Price |
| Ground Beef (93%lean) | $2.49/lb | |
| Whole Chicken | $1.00/lb | |
| Boneless Chicken | $2.00/lb | |
| Roast | $3.00/lb | |
| Pork | $1.99/lb |
Figuring out what items to stockpile can be a challenge, so take some time to see what items you use regularly. Stay tuned for Day 6: Understanding Drugstores