[karmaj28]

I have found at gatherings my family all brings there softbags and fills them full
I have nearly 300 given types of shampoo/conditioner
totes of makeup
totes of lotions and razors and all the health and beauty but i am not very good with getting the cheap foo yet

[maree9304]

I am not very good at getting cheap food either! I have plenty of toothpaste and shampoo but ugh, just can't find any good food deals! I do have about 10 boxes of pop tarts though.

[heznjon]

I think its great your able to help your family with hba items. That cuts their cost down alot! Food items are always harder to get. You really gotta watch the sales. Usually from what I've seen its more snack type foods that you can get for free.

[pumpkin seed mama]

Wow...that's so nice that you share your stockpile with your family!

[rgyman]

I think that is GREAT that you are sharing and yes food is a tough one but right now with me starting over all is tough. I know I will have it built back up in no time just takes time. Great Job!

[babydoll1223]

Keep up the good work!! You're an inspiration to us newbies out here...i dont even have a stockpile i just started mine yesterday so even your HBA stack is GREAT in my opinion...sending you coupon dust hoping you figure out some good deals on cheap/free food =)

[tweetyan24]

haha coupon dust I love it! I think we're all in the same boat good at the Home/cosmetics just not at the food part...well not all of us! But at least I am on that boat ...a clean house, a clean unfed body...haha!

[Jenn'sCup]

Thats so nice of you to share and help out your family. I agree with everyone so far. I have plenty of every thing except for food. I just cant find the deals. Sure wish a groc store around here doubled! That might help!!

[mcdlady1]

Good job and I agree on the food

[deeandbrook]

Hello, I am new and I would just love for someone to teach me how to stock pile, On a tight budget, I am very confused on how to do this and use this site! Help please!!! Dee

[deniseweber]

It's different for me. I have a hard time with the HBA versus the food. I do great with the food. However, I think that where I shop makes it easier. Some have the double coupons but here we have (Publix) the BOGO and can still use 2 man. Q AND a publix Q (where available).
And what makes the biggest difference for me is A FULL CUP. I am working 10 hour (minimum) days and Saturdays (trying to keep my job. they are starting layoffs and I want to be indespensible) and if not for everyone here, I would not be able to keep up on deals.

[couponmama62]

I too give away to family and donate to alot of different places. This is what it's all about, sharing.

[elena_398]

Im considered " the store" with my friends and family and neighbors". When someone is out of something, I get a phone call asking if I have such and such. Now my immediate family gets items for free- my neighbors (if I paid anything) pays me. I only charge though what I paid. Usually cents on the dollar though. Its funny as my next door neighbor was out of TP one day. She knocks on the door and asked if she could buy a 4pack off me. I think I had .50 in it, but she brought over $3. WAY too much, but she said "it was a tip".

[sams3girls]

You could always do the Share program or Angel Food Mintestres for some of the food deals look them see where they are each month to order each month that's what i do if i don't find any good deals in the months.I always order 2 or more packages since we have 3 adults and 3 kids in the house sometimes more for dinner.

[Momof2Princesses]

how do you get so many of them? I try but there muct be a secret are they free or close to nothing?

[skbrush]

Tell your family to bring you can goods in exchange for bathroom items???

[MrsOcean]

for *Deeandbrook*

I follow a couple of rules for myself, personally. 1) It only goes in the cart if it is on sale. 2). Don't run yourself short on money you would need for other things, like utility bills, just to add to your stockpile. I started out more than a year ago and I just bought 1 or 2 extra of what I normally would buy, when it was on sale. I slowly added to my stockpile and now, DH and I could live for a good 2 or 3 months on just our stockpile. Aside from the fresh items, like milk, fresh fruit & veggies. I am starting to implement a 3rd rule of buying 80% or more of my items only with coupons. That's a hard one, because I am just starting to use coupons... again, after several years ago, my attempts failed miserably! LOL

This will give you a couple of guidelines to help get you started. Good luck!

[theredbull14]

Wow! I am so amazed by the amount of organization and clarity you all have about the coupon process. It's almost exhilerating to me to figure it all out (almost like learning a new language--smile)

[lifeworthliving]

You will. Hang in there.

[sar1]

Be patient. Food stockpiles can take longer to build b/c you use it up faster. You use a box of pasta in one meal, but a bottle of shampoo for a month. Looking longer term: 6 boxes of pasta can last a month; 6 bottles of shampoo = half a year. That's where getting multiple coupons for food items will really help out. And read, read, read the grocery store forums!

[cundiff2001]

my mom and sisters "shop" in my hba stockpile. They will pay what I pay plus .25 to 1.00 depending on how expensive the item it retail. My sil has just started doing this also. It helps them as they 'don't have time' to coupon, and gives me a little extra to put towards our 7+ gallon/ week milk needs and other food items. good luck!

[SLaHconsultant]

I have a pretty full pantry but it took time. We eat a lot of cereal so when it is BOGO and I have coupons I stock up. We have tons of boxes of noodles, rice, pasta etc. We have enough shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, razors, dish soap & air fresheners to last several years.

[karmaj28]

good ideas everyone thanks!!!

[serianna]

Originally Posted by sar1

Be patient. Food stockpiles can take longer to build b/c you use it up faster. You use a box of pasta in one meal, but a bottle of shampoo for a month. Looking longer term: 6 boxes of pasta can last a month; 6 bottles of shampoo = half a year. That's where getting multiple coupons for food items will really help out. And read, read, read the grocery store forums!

This is a great way of looking at it. I now see it in a new light. I always wonder why my food stockpile dissapears so fast. I never thought of the time to use the product.