Are you an ethical couponer?

Recently we had a winner on our facebook page that purchased over 100 boxes of cereal for under $.50... (that is fifty cents lol) while this is just amazing savings, she went the extra mile and that is what truly impressed me! There isn't much out there more aggravating than empty shelves at the grocery store. Yeah Yeah, they should know to order more, have more on hand, limit how many one person can buy, etc etc. BUT... she PRE ORDERED her cereal so that she wasn't clearing the shelves for the next person. This not only helps other shoppers, but it helped her too. How? She didn't have to go all over town to get her 100 boxes, she only had to go to one store!

And I know what else people are going to think... what in the world is she going to do with over 100 boxes of cereal? Well.. she is going to donate a good bit to a local food bank. And why not? How many boxes of cereal can one family eat? My family goes through some cereal, but I even think that over 100 boxes is probably a bit excessive! So my point is this, if you run across a great deal and you get an abundance of something, donate it to those in need. It makes your heart feel all warm and fuzzy and some child's tummy very happy!! Also, don't forget to donate personal care items... these are items that are often forgotten and very much needed!

So my challenge to you... keep track of how much you donate this year... not your coupon price... your REGULAR price and add them up at the end of the year. You will be amazed!!  It can make for a great write off on your taxes at the end of the year too!

Stay ethical in couponing and keep it fun for everyone!

Why a stockpile?

Sales go in cycles, every item you buy is not going to be on sale every time you shop. For instance, Peanut Butter is an item that doesn't go on sale AND have coupons too many times during the year. So, when peanut butter is on sale and I can get it free or at a very low price, I stock up. This way, I will not have to purchase it at full price later. Since I have been adding different items to my stockpile every week, my shopping list has gotten much smaller. Now I only buy those items when they are very low again, and I do not typically run out in between.

Another reason is to have items on hand in case of emergency. My husband and I both got laid off a few years ago and we were NOT prepared. Had I started couponing before hand, we would have been in a much better situation. NOW if we are laid off, we are pretty well set for at least 6 months, maybe longer.

I will give another example... Toilet Paper. The type of TP that we prefer is usually over $10.00 for an 18 pack. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to get the same TP in a 12 pack for only $1.35. I bought 10 packs. For a little more than what I would have paid for an 18 rolls, I got 120 rolls.

The point of a stock pile is to get your grocery list down, hence lowering your monthly out of pocket. Once your stock pile is up, you will only need to buy what is on sale that week free or really cheap. So if you get a good deal... buy lots of it! People in the store may look at you like you are crazy, but once you ring up at the register and your total comes to under $20.00 for $200.00 worth of goods, they will be begging you to teach them!