[childofsolitude]

So in about a month, I'll be moving in with my sister into our new condo. We've been finding loads of great deals that are way too good to pass up. Just the other day, we found toilet paper on clearance at my local Target for half off plus we had .75 and $1.00 coupons. We decided to buy 5 packs of 6 double rolls. We thought this was a great deal. Until today I went to the store with my mom and she bought toilet paper at regular price that cost less per roll than what I paid for mine on clearance! You see, her rolls had more feet than mine did. Although she paid about $1 more for her 12 rolls, she had about 100 sq feet more than me. If you divide the amount she paid with the amount of rolls that are in the package and then divide that by how many feet there are per roll, she ended up with a better deal than me. I'd like to stock up on TP and PT but it's all giving me a headache. Do you guys stock up on TP and PT only when it's free or nearly free? I regularly shop at Walmart, Target, Publix, Sweetbay, and Winn Dixie. Do any of these stores have good deals on these items regularly? I also have access to Walgreens and I'll start shopping there if it means cheap or free TP.

I also have a question about other items. Recently, I started taking a list with me when I go shopping so that I can figure out what the regular price is for items I buy all the time and what the lowest price is for this kind of item. For example, I obviously need shampoo. I can get xx oz. for xx amount of money. Then I write down this item and its price. That way I can compare what I can expect to pay without coupons vs. what I WILL pay for discounted items (like clearance or even just sale prices) and coupons. So how do you guys know when to stock up? Do you stock up if it's free or nearly free? Do you stock up when it's half the price you would normally pay if it's at regular price? I have a little stockpile growing and all of it was either free or really, really cheap. Should I not bother stockpiling on items that are more than half off what I would normally pay? I have this constant thought in my head that I'm always going to need TP or shampoo or razors or whatever so if I find a good deal, I should stock up. But when does it stop being a good deal and when does it start being excessive? I'll give you guys an example. Let's say there's an item you buy regularly for $3. This item ends up going on clearance for $1. Do you stock up at this price even though you have 5-10 more of these items at home in your stockpile?

[CarrieDLRDH]

childofsolitude, those are some great questions!

First of all, I have been a member of AFC since September, and I still consider myself a "newbie" sometimes, b/c their is soooo much to learn! This is my opinion to answer your questions:
TP/PT dilemma: I too would LOVE to hear other's answers on this one. I have yet to build up a stockpile of this stuff. I am single, so I don't go through at the rate that some people do, but I'm not sure what even a "good deal" would be. (not to mention, the whole sq. ft. math equation makes it confusing as well!)

Now, your questions regarding the "other items". Do you have a Walgreens or CVS near if you? If so, you will quickly learn how to get TONS of health and beauty items for free. Are you brand specific? If not, you will learn that you can get most "non-perishable" items for less than a dollar. My rule of thumb for each product depends on how much I have in stockpile. Toothpaste, for one, is something you should definitely be able to get for free. This goes the same with pantiliners. If its a product that I don't "need" (meaning I have enough stockpiled for approx 6months), I won't pay more than .25 for it. I have about 20 tubes of toothpaste (I share plenty with family and friends). So I won't even pay .01 for toothpaste. I recently got 4 boxes of tampons for .19 each. Probably more than I needed to pay, but I decided it was worth the money. I'm sorry I don't have a more specific answer for you. Give it a month... you may "overpay" what some of us AFCers would pay for a product, but no matter what you'll be saving money. As you build a stockpile, you'll learn the prices of things and what good deals are! Sorry for rambling...

[standage]

Keep in mind the quality of toilet paper. You can't compare a double roll of cottenelle to a single roll of Scott 1000. 1-ply or 2-ply? Make sure you are comparing apples to apples!

[mager342]

Wow, I have been seriously paying too much! It seems to me the whole couponing thing gets complicated because our regions all vary, right? So, if your stores don't double coupons, you may not get very much at all for free... is my thought. Am I wrong?

Great question!

[z'smom]

When I used to teach MS Math and we discussed unit price, PT always came up and we never agreed on a good way to do it. They are all different sizes and textures. Some have smaller sheets etc. I just try to buy the cheapest I can for pet stuff and whenever possibe, Viva for windows etc. HTH.

I have no TP advice because DH and I totally disagree about this. I am all about Scott and he loves the soft kind. Luckily, Angel soft has been super cheap lately and we have some Scott from my trip to NH.