Coupons are now the craze in today's frugal world. And with all the information available you can get lots of things for free.This leads to consumers "stockpiling" items in their homes. This can be a good thing to have some extra on hand, But shows like "extreme couponing" take things to a whole different level.
Will I really use 300 tubes of toothpaste this year? Or even 5 years? People need to limit themselves on when there actually getting a "good deal" or just wasting money. Buying 20 newspapers a week and spending 3 cents per toothpaste for 200 of them is not a good deal. If you buy 20 newspapers to get a few free items your still spending that initial $30 dollars for those items. Same with toothpaste, even if your only spending 3¢ per tube, if your only going to use x amount before it expires your wasting that money. Follow these tips to keep your stockpiling under control.
1.Follow a 6-12 month rule:
Try to only keep enough on hand for a 6-12 month period. If its a great deal, sure stock up on an item, but your house doesn't need to be overridden with items you might have to throw away before they expire.
2. Get it if it's free, but give it away.
I simply cannot pass up free. If I see a deal that I can get for free, you bet I am going to grab it. I may not need the item, or even use that item, but someone else may. I have a small box that I toss free items in that I know I may never use. This box is then donated to my local shelter or family members who also might be strapped for cash. I can give back to my community but not spending a dime, and without cluttering my house with items i wont need.
3. Don't get more than you can handle.
This is concerning newspapers. I find it a waste to buy 20 + papers a week. 1. If you don't recycle all that extra newspaper and coupon paper is going going right to a landfill. And again do you really need 200 body washes that would be free this week? I get 3 copies of the paper. I buy one, and am giving one by each my grandparents and my 1 uncle. This is more than enough for me. If I can get something free that week, I can get 3, which builds my small stockpile.
4. Don't buy it just cause it is a good deal.
Sure that bottle of pickle smelling lotion only cost 3¢, but am I ever going to want to use pickle lotion? I know my name isn't snookie, and quite frankly smelling like a pickle all day isn't my idea of fun, so why did I buy it? We tend to buy things, even if we dont use it, because it was such a great deal. But it really isn't if it is just collecting dust. So when you see that deal, think realistically. "Am I ever going to use this item?" or "Do I plan to give this item to someone else?" If you answered no, save yourself that 3¢. And save yourself the space at home.
Got any opinions or comments to share on stockpiling or couponing? Would love to hear from you below.
December 5th, 2011 at 04:53 pm 1323104026
December 5th, 2011 at 04:54 pm 1323104067
December 5th, 2011 at 09:06 pm 1323119171
I keep about four of everything I use since that will get me through to the next deal. There are some exceptions like laundry detergent and our favorite shampoo which I can hardly get for free or cheap. Couponing is my hobby and I really enjoy deal hunting and shopping so it's perfectly manageable for me.
The only exception to my rule are moneymakers. If there's a really AWESOME deal that will end up being a moneymaker, I will occasionally buy coupons from clipping services. This year, I bought my godson a $60 play kitchen for free using moneymakers at Wal-Mart.
December 5th, 2011 at 10:59 pm 1323125964
I guess I need some kind of website where you just enter the exact item you want and they email you when there is a deal.
I don't want to get more than I need due to environmental concerns as well -- I don't like waste for no reason, even if it was 3c. Plus, I live in NYC apartment. If I buy an 18 pack of Bounty, it will have to have to be stored on the floor in the living room until I am down to like 6. Not very atractive.
December 18th, 2011 at 10:00 pm 1324245654
Jerry