Stock Pile 101 beginners

I have always couponed. Since I was shopping for my own things. Which is when I had my first real job at 16. I have been couponing seriously at it for 3yrs. I love it. I love the challenge. I love the deals. I was faithful and consistent for the first 2 years. I built up a very very nice stockpile. So much so that I have lived off of it for the past 1 1/2yrs. During that 3yr time I did some donations to senior communities. That made me super fulfilled. And when I came across struggling moms or individuals that I may have overheard needed help.  My family and close friend circle knew I was great  at couponing so they came over to shop sometimes. I didn't mind because I knew I was going to stock back up. It really is a rush hunting down these next to nothing deals. While I lived off my stock pile for the last year and a half I wasn't as diligent and only hunted down the best of the best deals. In the last 4 months I didn't do any couponing at all. Only because I was moving and I was pretty much doing it myself. With the exception of my sis and my daughter. I had tons to pack and just didn't think it was best to add more stock pile to pack. Trust me I wanted to. But it was just too much. Now I am fully in my new home with more space to...yes store my stock pile. It is time!!!

Now coupons are not what is used to be. You do have to hunt a little harder for deals. Because of the exposure from I think the tv show extreme couponing. Its a little harder and u have to put in the work for ur deals. But I do get them.

There are other pics..I have food pictures..i hope i can find them.. I will update I do.                             















Tips are sign up on coupon blogs. Follow them on twitter and have their post streamed to your phone, that way you can get info at anytime. And while you're out..if you forget what the deal is just pull it up. You can sign up on Kroger, Meijer, target..or your favorite stores. They have printable and ecoupons. You can also sign up for a sunday coupon review. It tells you how many books to expect and gives you some details on what coupons will be in the insets.That way you know whats coming and  you can kinda decide if that weeks inserts is right for you before you buy a newspaper. And what coupons you want to focus on getting duplicates of.  You can buy coupons too but I haven't done that. Too nervous about fake ones.Save your bottle returns for great deals if u really don't need to use them right away. They can come in handy for things that cost a little more or what u don't have coupons for but really need that item. I save mines up until I do a large shopping so little comes out of my pocket.
One of my biggest tips, and I learned the hard way, BE PREPARED!!! To prevent being in the store forever, or mixing your deals from one store to another or having the wrong item for the coupon u need to use, or not noticing an expired coupon while you wait for that perfect deal..be prepared.

GET ORGANIZED.. Group your deals by store and by aisle. I have a binder with inserts for separations. I also keep small pair of scissors in my zip pocket of my binder so in case I get lucky on more coupons b4 I make it to the store. I also keep sheets of paper for notes. I used to get so confused on my 10/10 deals or buy 10 get 11th free or my krogers buy selected items save $5. I would always be short or to many if I did the deal more than once. so I would right down exactly what I planned on getting. So now my deals are right.

Start small and work your way to a good couponer as you learn how to stack coupons and hunt down these deals. Your pocket will be happier for your efforts.
So lets build or rebuild that stock pile.

Here is a link to show a little bit about starting out.
http://livewellnetwork.com/Deals/episodes/Stockpiling-Home-Products-To-Save-Money/8297271
http://livewellnetwork.com/Deals/episodes/Modern-Day-Couponing/8192087