[joyskisaver]

Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie and i feel like i'm out of control. I just started a spreadsheet and entered all my receipts, and I feel so guilty for spending so much in such a short amount of time. I'm trying to get a stockpile going for 2 people, but i feel like i'm going overboard. My first official coupon shopping day was Oct. 15. Here's the damage:

32 receipts
spent $256.65
savings reflected on the receipts was $443.25
I have $15 RR left for walgreens
I have $5 gift card for target

I feel like i'm out of control on the spending. What do you think? I think I will stop shopping for awhile. Would appreciate any advice. TIA

[liv&natsmom]

take a break.. it happens to everyone to get 'caught up' but you will learn that you can get SO MUCH for little to no oop.. just watch and wait
good luck

[badltl510]

I agree with the previous poster. I did the same thing when I first started. After a while you'll learn that you can get most stuff free or for little OOP and won't feel the need to buy everything that's on sale.

[joyskisaver]

Thanks for your replies. I felt a need to confess to the bf that I was calculating what I've spent so far -- he knows I've been obsessing over coupons and I was feeling guilty. He said, "have you spent in the thousands??" LOL...thank goodness it's not that much. So I've been working on fixing up the stockpile cabinet and will present it to him later looking very nice and organized -- and then confess the total. Yikes, wish me luck

[gasper77]

I think we all go over board at first, especially if you've NEVER really used coupons. SO, even saving $25 seems awesome. But like the previous posts, you'll get to know when you can get something for REALLY cheap or free and you'll NEVER buy it any other way again!! Remember the main reason for couponing and stockpiling is to find the items you buy on a regular basis at their rock bottom prices with q's...then you STOCK up so you won't have to ever buy those things at regular price ever again, when a sale hits you replenish those things!! You need to decide what your lowest price that you will pay for an item is and go from there!! there a MANY things that you can get for free over and over, toothpaste, dental floss, some shampoos and conditioners, yougurts, razors, shaving cream etc ect...and others at very cheap prices! The main thing to remember is that there will ALWAYS be another sale and MORE q's to be had!! When I first started I went crazy trying to hit EVERY store and sale well, you just can't! You pick the things that are free or REALLY cheap and just get those, and then any "necessaties you may need!! Hope I helped a little I spent A ton at first - when I first started back in August K-mart had doubles sooo I went crazy!! I got tons for free, but I also bought A LOT of other things that were GREAT deals but not really needed My husband questioned me and he was right I was spending too much..BUT in the begining it does take money to get your stockpile going!! So after a few huge shopping trips I never spend more than $20-35 bucks on groceries(unless i need diapers)...I used to spend anywhere from $80-$150...It will all work out! good luck!

[brook6]

maybe if you shift focus to saving on the stuff you use/need every week

build the stockpile gradually, as the opportunity presents

[BeckyScott]

Here's what happens to me- maybe you're doing the same thing-

I trim a little (usually 15-20%) off of our regular grocery bill. And then for example, I have a whole pile of $1 Angel Soft q's right now. They expire mid-November so when I do my weekly shopping I pick up a case (12 packs) of TP, and I'll do that the next two weeks until I run out of q's. However, when I do that, it adds $12 to my grocery bill. It's hard to look at the grocery bill with that extra $12 on there, but I know in the end I'll have months and months worth of TP in the house, and I would have to pay more for it later.

Two suggestions for you?

1. Put aside a set amount of $$ every week, even if it's just $5, to use for stockpiling. Whatever is a good deal that week or that you have good q's that you don't want to expire.
-or-
2. Keep track of how many $$ you save on your "regular grocery" trip and use that money for stockpiling stuff. You're still spending the same in the end, but you'll keep your stockpile growing.

I'm pretty much doing #2. As I got thru the store and start stacking up my q's, I keep track in my head of about how much in q's I'm using. So if I know I've got $12 in q's I don't feel too bad spending $12 on tp. I'm spending as much as I used to spend but I'm getting more stuff.

Eventually if I keep stockpiling like that, I'll get to the point where many of our basics are stockpiled and I will spend less and less on the weekly shopping. And I will have enough of a stockpile I won't have to buy most things until another good sale comes along.

It doesn't happen overnight. Either you have to start with a big chunk of $$ to get the stockpile started (so that then you can use from your stockpile while waiting for the next sale), or you have to start really small so you're not spending too much and let it build over time, or you spend more OOP in the beginning (like you did) because you're trying to build a stockpile but there are still "regular" groceries that you need to buy until you can find a deal on them.

[elisechu]

I think in the beginning you end up spending more to start your building of the stockpile. Once you have enough stuff to last you a while you should just get deals for things that are free (for me its food items b.c they dont have sales tax here in CA) and other stuff have to be less than .50 (if I am low on it) or MM even with sales tax added in.

[hotmama111]

Only stockpile things that are really cheap or free. Eventually you will get a huge stockplile w/ very little oop.

[kmeiding]

I know I went overboard at first with Walgreens and Kmart doubles. Now I watch for really good deals to pop up. This week I'm getting free popcorn and probably some cheap cereal and milk. Free and really cheap grocery deals don't come along that often around here. I also watch for deals on the things we use. I actually skip out on some money makers and free after RR deals at Walgreens because they are things I won't use and I don't want to waste my time and money (tax and fillers).

[joshmamabear]

What you're undergoing now is just a phase. When I was just starting, I thought paying .50 for a regular size toothpaste was the best deal UNTIL I realize later, they're not only free, you get paid to take them out of the store in a lot of instances. THEREFORE, relax. Don't be pressured to buy in bulk at one time. Be content with 2 or 3 that you can get by till the next sale comes. I assure you, I've seen them go in cycle like clockwork. You can even predict what time of the year something is going to be on sale. When matched with a high value coupon, BINGO! you get them free most of the time. At this point, even free doesn't excite me anymore since we pay 8% sales tax and 4% on food. I know a lot of people who got hit by overdraft fees because they were not aware of the sales taxes they paid that stacked up to huge amounts! Fees paid to the bank eats the savings you tried so hard to make. If you're on a strict budget, either do an envelope system or a gift card method. Put only a certain amount for your shopping. Once that money is gone, its time to quit UNTIL new funds come in.

Just sit back, relax for now. And, take a deep breath. You still did good with your savings for items you need.

[brieclark]

The previous posters are so right--I think this happened to all or most of us at first. Do NOT beat yourself up about it!

First off, how much did you normally spend in a week on groceries & household items? I don't know any non-couponers who spend less than $100 per week. So you're still barely above that average--and I'm sure you got a lot more for your money.

Second, it's a learning experience. You probably have a much better grasp on what you're doing now.

Here's my two cents worth of advice:

Take it slower. It takes at least three months to establish a well-rounded stockpile because that's about the time-scale for sales to cycle through. Buy only what you need at regular price, then stock up when it hits rock bottom.

Also, keep a price list so you know when that rock bottom price happens.

I read this on a blog some time back, but can't remember which one...
"It's not about how much you save, it's about how little you spend."

I spent waayyy too much at first. Then, one day, I realized I didn't have to go grocery shopping that week at all.

Thanks for sharing with us!

[CulverAmber]

We all have done it in the beginning! Once you get a nice useful stockpile of things you will use it's easier. Then you can pick and choose only the free to very cheap items that are on sale. Filling in the gaps of things you have to have that usually don't have coupons. Just be glad you realized it now. I actually took 3 weeks off of shopping. Besides the essentials and a couple good deals I couldn't pass up. It was a nice break.

[crackedwillow]

I wouldn't focus on "stopping" shopping, but shopping more wisely.

When I first started I didn't have much, $$$, so I had to limit my deals to grocery items, and the "best" deals of the week. Frees/MMs.

If you "invest" $100 or so into some deals at WAGS, you could end up with over $500 in RRs, to get the items you truly need, that's a better 'investment' of cash. Watching the deals you do, and why your doing them, can really help.

[couponaddicted]

I just really started stockpiling, and had been buying things that we did not need. Not I have rechecked myself and now buy the things that we really need. I am not going to say that if I do see something that I think is a good sale I will only pick up a few, because I can pass it on to my son who is in college.

I do have to say that when I look back at all that I have purchase, overall it has saved me money.

[lovechelle27]

so i know where ur coming from but not that drastic... just because i don't have much extra money to spend... but i at first was getting all the great 'free' deals and then added up my 'free' and realized it wasn't quite free w/fillers, tax, etc... so now i just do $20 a wk (this is all i can afford) and on SUNDAY I GET OUT $20 FROM THE ATM AND WHEN IT'S GONE, ITS GONE!! (if its groceries we will use for our meals then i 'extend' it but so far this has been an excellent thing for me, i know how much i have and what deals i want to get... hope this helps!!!! and good luck!!!

[joyskisaver]

HUGE THANKS for all of you who have taken your time to respond and give me much needed advice and encouragement. I have been buying things we need and use on a daily basis (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, razors) but maybe I haven't been getting the best deals. I will try to focus more on learning from all you AFC'rs and building up my supply of Qs so that I can really get the best deals. In the meantime, I'll just have to settle with drooling over the stockpile photos! Thanks again everyone

[Moonshine78]

For fun, try taking pictures of a few of your shopping trips and writing the details of trip for a caption. I started couponing in March and it's really cool to look back (even just a few months back) to see what I thought were amazing deals (and I did have some good deals) and what I think a good deal is now. As silly as it sounds, some of the pictures still give me a little emotional reaction, and knowing how much that trip meant to our family. Early on, the pictures also helped keep me in check... I so wanted the "glory shot" that I passed up decent deals to get the "HOLY COW! How did you do that?!" picture (even if it was just for me)

Also, learning first hand that a deal on something will come around again and sometimes it comes back even better. You are definitely on the right track! I can't wait to see your stockpile in a few months

[abbybob]

I agree with Moonshine! I do that a lot, especially when it's a super good deal. I also try to keep the really good receipts with a small OOP to inspire me to stay frugal!

[poshpoodle]

Also, if you watch here- you WILL know which deals are the ones to not pass up- if there is lots of info on what to buy and scenarios - you will know if it is free or a MM (Money maker). I still have my days- when i do not plan and run into the store to pick up a few qhuick items- then i over spend!

[afton03]

Thanks! This was great advice. I'm just starting out and trying my best not to spend money. I'm trying to be patient and wait for the good deals to start my stockpile!

[bennyrn12]

I did the same thing!!! After a bit I learned that when something is really a great deal it will have a super huge thread on here You will get the hang of it! In the beginning when you are starting a stockpile sometimes it does take an investment of sorts to get your stockpile going, give it a month or two and you will see you're not putting as much money into it. Good luck!

[PEPSI4U]

Originally Posted by joyskisaver

Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie and i feel like i'm out of control. I just started a spreadsheet and entered all my receipts, and I feel so guilty for spending so much in such a short amount of time. I'm trying to get a stockpile going for 2 people, but i feel like i'm going overboard. My first official coupon shopping day was Oct. 15. Here's the damage:

32 receipts
spent $256.65
savings reflected on the receipts was $443.25
I have $15 RR left for walgreens
I have $5 gift card for target

I feel like i'm out of control on the spending. What do you think? I think I will stop shopping for awhile. Would appreciate any advice. TIA

For me I spent way to much in the beginning but now for a family of 4 I'm down to like $60 a week..
You won't have to spend that much after you have such a good stockpile.