Stockpiling is very joyous for me, but can also be very tiring. That's why I suggest that you stockpile for 3 months out of the year, to last you for the next 12 months. I plan on spending about $300 total (I have spent half of that since starting on March 31st). $300 is $25/month for 12 months. This includes all household paper and toiletry needs. I will do a seperate posts about the science of stockpiling, and how to gear it around you and your family needs. ( The: What, When, Where, How, and Why) Today I wanted to deal with the mental preparedness of stockpiling, and how to decrease/avoid setbacks.
Sometimes the deals that you choose don't always work perfectly once you get to the store for multiple reasons, but don't let that discourage you. Especially if you're new to this. I've been doing it for years, and still mess up sometimes.
Here are some tips to help you avoid making mistakes at the register:
1. Know your store's coupon policy. There's nothing worse than getting to the register and hearing " I'm sorry ma'am, we can't take this coupon".
2. Make a list, and check it twice. It's always good to bring a list with you in order to keep you on track and on budget. With Couponing and deals, it's real easy to go bananas in the store, and pick up things, you didn't have a desire for initially.
3. Have your coupons ready to go. Seperate the coupons you will be using for this trip away from your general coupon folder. There is nothing more embarrassing than going through 300 coupons at the register to find that one .50 cent off coupon. It can make you anxious, and when you get anxious you can make mistakes.
4. Make sure to match the size of the item you're purchasing, with the deal in the sales ad. This is a simple mistake to make. The 16.9oz item is on sale, but you mistakenly grab the 16oz. Just by overlooking that .9oz. you can throw your calculations off with your deal. All couponers know that missing out on a .50 cent savings can ruin your mood after shopping.
5. Try to do your deals at a low volume traffic time. It can be a little nerve racking when you're trying to do your deals, and there is 10 people in the line behind you. Going at a time when there's less traffic in the store can help ease that feeling. This time can be different for different stores. Early mornings and late afternoons are not the best times, as people are going to work or getting off from work and trying to make a "quick" run into the store.
6. Lastly, make sure to check your receipt before you leave the store. That way any mistake, oversight, or unused coupon can be handled right then and there. Leaving the store can change the dynamics of your purchase that may not be able to be fixed.
Okay guys, that's all I have today. My stockpile is coming along great, and I look forward to sharing the upcoming deals that I find with you. Below you can see what I have so far. Share any pics that you have of your stockpile as well. Until next time, signing off, OSM
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