To Stockpile or not to stockpile...

This is as close to telling on myself as it gets. While I try not to become the coupon hoarder as it were, it makes sense for me to take full advantage of certain sale prices while they are low. Without shelf clearing (I shop several times a week so that everyone gets a fair shake at sale prices) I do tend to stock up on items that have a longer shelf life. I would like to tell you how much money I typically pay for these items so you understand that by couponing properly, these kinds of things don’t need to be on my list for a while.

Cereal: I seldom pay more than $1 for any type of cereal, with the exception of Lucky Charms. They are my personal favorite (I am not sorry) and they never seem to be included in the G.M. promos at Shaw’s. So I stack Market Basket coupons with manufacturer’s coupons when I can. I paid $.38 for each box of Kix, and almost everything else was $.88, with the exception of anything Kellogg’s. Cereal is approximately $3 a box. I pay 1/3 or less.

Canned Goods: This week was awesome for me. Between the different types of applicable Progresso soups at Shaw’s and Market Basket, I scored a major variety. I love soup on a cold and dismal day. I paid no more than $1 ea. and some were $.79 because of the Shaw’s dollar doubler promo. Goya beans are on sale 2/$1 and between the 1/$5 online coupon and the dollar doubler I paid $.10 per can. These prices represent 50%-90% savings.

Snacks: Bugles, Chex (smaller size), and Nature Valley Granola bars are on sale “Buy 5 G.M. Products, get them for $1.88 ea.” After coupons double they are $.88 ea. There is also a Nature Valley promo CAT coupon for $3 off your next order (posted) when you buy 5 boxes of granola bars (does not include the thins.) I did this twice, which went towards my Chex, Bugles, and other groceries. The average retail price for these kinds of snacks is between $2.50 and $3 ea. I paid 1/3 or less, and when you configure the additional $3 bonus coupon, well, I had a great week.

Drinks: I did not score this week on drinks with the exception of Tropicana at Shaw’s 2/$6 and using the $1/2 with the dollar doubler. That made 2/$4. Usually I can do better. I forgive myself. And I used the rest of my Fuze coupons that were given to me by a gas station attendant. They were going to expire on 9/30, so when I was at Walmart I got 50% all of them.

I don’t need anything for the next three weeks. Seriously, I might run out of milk and some produce. That’s it!!

This shelf is all I allow myself to stock up on these kinds of foods. Maybe I will show you my shampoo shelf another day ;)