How exactly are they created? I mean do you catch something on sell and buy them out or do you use coupons?
I'm curious.

Everyone's stockpile is different. For me, when I see a great price on something and I have a bunch of coupons for that item, I will get a lot. If the item will be free or really cheap, it is worth it to get a whole bunch if it's something that won't go bad. Or if something is being clearanced for cheap and it's something you use, it makes sense to stock up on it. If it will expire before you can use it all, you can always donate it to a food pantry (before it expires, of course).

Ditto! Last week NexCare Bandaides were on sale for $.99 and there was $1 Coupons out! I got 17 boxes of Free Bandaids. Not at once but I got a few from a few different RiteAids and then I price matched some a couple times.

I love getting stuff FREE! I have even bought coupons for like $.10 each for FREE stuff.

I agree with the last two post,a rellly good price and q,

I watch for really good sales, use coupons, and get it super cheap or free. Then, when it goes back to regular price, I don't have to buy it for a while, hopefully until the next sale.

Ditto on the other posts.

Scanning the sale papers and always knowing what the price of the item is key too to creating a stockpile. Or course its always a bonus to find things you need on clearance then use a coupon to make it worthwhile or free!

Everyone else has pretty much summed it up. Watch for deals in the papers and on AFC and match up good coupons. Buy lots when it's a good price. And be patient, it takes time to build up stockpiles.

Best way to create the stockpile, like said is:

Watch for "the sale" then coupons, coupons, coupons!!!

Slowly...that's my best advice. When I first came to AFC, I saw all these stockpile pics and I was like "I want that!" and I found myself spending more than I should on some items. I was paying far less than regular full price, but I wasn't waiting for the really primo deals to buy it up. Now that I have doing it for a while I still don't have tons of stuff, but I have enough for me.

I noticed that too. When I realized how great coupons could be I bought quite a few things on sale knowing I was saving more but now that I look back at the purchases I realize there were other stores that either 1) have it cheaper at a regular price or with certain sales they have regularly or 2) although I saved a lot of money, I haven't been using the item to where it matters that I have it. I've gotten much better now that I know what to pay attention to (and have also gotton my coupon count on some things up from 2 to maybe 6 depending on the week). It's a great learning experience though so each time I buy somethign new I get a better feel of what sales are out there and what "lower" prices I might have been able to find instead.

Also, a bit of advice, sometimes with coupons you will be so eager to go out and get somethign if they are really good. Just remember though that you have a whole month (in some cases 2 or 3) to get to use that coupon. Each week brings a different sale so you may spend it early on only to realize that you are out of it for the next sale. I guess you could always trade for more but it is somethign to be aware of. Also, some products tend to be advertised the same week at diferent stores so it is a good idea to compare the prices.

Stockpiles are not built overnight. They take time. I have segregated SPI (stockpile items) into those for personal use and those for re-sale. Most paper products are not for re-sale especially toilet paper, paper towels, table napkins, etc. They can be stored indefinitely and we will always use them whereas items like HBA which we can only have enough; I give away or sell what we cannot use. It is the same with perishable items like canned goods which I bring to the food bank before they expire.

Since I learned the ropes of couponing, I have never paid for HBA items for years now. I have my own base price for paper products and other items, too. I just keep buying when there is a sale knowing we will always use them and prices keep going up. I have not bought paper products at reg shelf price for 5 years now. I stock up as much as I can when I can get them cheap/free with coupons/RR promos.

our stockpile has kept our weekly grocery budget at low levels since I only buy fresh meat, produce and bread. All other non perishables can wait for a sale plus the Qs to match them. that is the advantage of having a stockpile, you can say pass to a not so hot deal.

check out this article in our April Newsletter (towards the bottom of the newsletter)

http://www.afullcup.com/upload/newsletter/afc0408.html

You guys have been a big help. I do have one more question. Say I was to go out and find toilet paper on sale and I have 3 coupons for a $1 off one package.Can I get three packages and use those 3 coupons all in one purchase?

YES, you can although you need to watch out for cashiers who don't know the difference between purchase and transaction. there are those you will encounter who will take only one coupon even if you bought 3 items, saying it says only one per purchase. sometimes, they listen and understand after careful, calm explanation. if they don't budge, and you can choose to buy them in separate transactions or just take them off your order and buy another time.