[aliandm]

I have been couponing for about 3 weeks and I have been getting tons of great deals, and lots of free things, but it seems like I am spending more not less! This is because I am buying say 5 months of shampoo or whatever... How long should I expect it to take before my stockpile causes my bills to go down?

[Lynda1811]

Sometimes it will feel that way especially if you don't have a stockpile already. Remember you don't have to buy everything that's on sale, the sales will come back around.

If you have a budget try to stick to it as much as possible. I would suggest getting your need items first, then get the items that would be a good price to stock up on.

Hang in there it does get easier as you build your stockpile up. We all started in the same boat.

Lynda

[Mom2ThreeLovesCVS]

I seemed to be spending more in the beginning too. Maybe I felt the need to hit every sale, or just didn't have my ECB's built up, or it could be that I've just learned to pick and choose the sales a bit better. BUT long story short, I now spend much much less after about a year of stockpiling. I have plenty of months where I don't "need" to buy anything because we're so stocked but I've just now started taking those months and buying about $20 worth of things that we will need so we don't run out of everything at once. Does that make sense? A lot of things like hubby's deodorant & mouse are hard to get on sale so I'll often times buy 1 or 2 of them, when we don't "need" anything, just to keep the stockpile going since I don't find good deals on them anyways. KWIM? After a year of doing this though, we're pretty stocked on most things and I really only add to the stockpile when things are free or almost free. It helps if you're not stuck to any 1 brand too, I use most anything, hubby on the other hand refuses to try anything new. If he was more flexible we would be saving A LOT more.

Good luck, stick with it & it'll pay off! I promise!!!!!!!!!!!!

[couponclippin'momma]

Until I got the hand of CVS, it seemed like I was spending more. I try now & use pharmacy G.C.'s to "bankroll" my cvs purchases so I'm not out anything. Now grocery stuff I only buy stuff we will eat for sure unless it's free & I can find a new home for it. Now I did stock up on fruit snacks a couple weeks back, but all the boxes will last a long time (if I can keep my 4 y.o. out of them!). I would buy only what you will use, unless it's free/super cheap.

[cecilialyne]

I have felt like that too. I really have only been doing it for about 2 months (I am not a pro by any means) and I feel like now I am spending less and have a good spread of what I need. Good Luck!

[skbrush]

It does feel like your sepending more but I think its worth it .
My weekly pick ups are only about 30.00( bread, lunch meat...).
Since Jan 1st I have spent about 400.00. I have saved well over 1000.00 or more stockpiling Heath & Beauty, dry goods. Good luck and stick to your budget!