Spend Smarter!

It is all about spending smarter - Why spend money you do not have to??
The Deal Diva appears in the Charlotte Observer on Sunday in the Business/Moneywise section! Thanks to all of you for reading!!
Check out MOM Charlotte - this is a great website and offers lots of great information. http://mom.charlotte.com/
Send me tips by leaving comments on this blog! Or email me at thedealdiva@bellsouth.net I would love to share your great ideas!!
How to Best Use The List :
* The lists are current store specials with recent coupons from Sunday coupon inserts found in the newspaper.
For additional coupons use RedPlum.com, Coupons.com, and SmartSource.com
BOGO deals are generally the best deals out there especially if you have a coupon. Remember you do not have to buy two to get the special price. If you want to buy two make sure you have two coupons to save the most!!
Part of being a savvy shopper is staying organized. Try going through your coupon organizer every few weeks to discard old coupons.
If a coupon says "ANY" and does not specify " does not include trail size" then you can get the smallest size possible and it is perfectly legit to do so. Some of the best coupons say "ANY" and I have gotten tons of trail size products, great items to donate!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

What is stockpiling?

Stock Piling What is it? How do I do it? Why? And When to know you need to cut yourself off!
The difference between a casual coupon user and a professional coupon user is stockpiling.
As a professional beginning to stockpile is a process and one that once started can result in the most long term savings.
What is stockpiling?
When I have a coupon for an item, and it is on sale, buy as many as you have coupons for. This is especially important if you are saving at least 70%. Warning: Initially, building a stockpile can actually make you spend more on your weekly groceries, because you still need to buy most of your essentials AND stock up on sale items. How do I do it?
1) Identify items that are good stockpiling items for your family. Think non- perishables. This is a brief list of the items I as a mom of two and happy dog owner stockpile.
Toothpaste
Shampoo
Toothbrushes
Lotion
Body wash
Shaving items
Cleaning products
Paper towels
Toilet paper
Canned goods
Cereal
Storage bags
Trash bags
Marinades
Dog food
Rice
Pasta
Peanut Butter
Jelly
Baking items – cake mixes, frosting
Wipes
Diapers
Water
Juice (bottled)

2) Collect multiple coupons of the same item that would be an excellent item to stockpile. You will need to attempt to collect multiple copies of coupons’. I do this by sharing with friends at work. I send them the ones that I do not use and they send me the ones they don’t use. My mom will also send me hers and I have a neighbor who will put them in my mailbox sometimes. Truly a family of four usually does not need more than 2 copies of the same ad. Unless you are that family out west with 20 kids whose names all start with the same letter; you do not need 15 copies of Sunday’s paper.

3) Prepare a space in your house for products. Linen closets are great for toiletries or garages. Get Organized- I suggest using plastic bins to organize your items. If you use your garage I suggest buying large Rubbermaid or other durable plastic containers to hold your items.

4) Almost always if an items is a BOGO (Buy One Get One) and you have a coupon for it - it is a stockpile item. Triple Coupon weeks are key for stockpiling on toothpaste and deodorant.
Why?
Stockpiling allows you to collect items you use every day at way below the orginal cost. Stockpiling works if you buy products you will use.

When to Cut Yourself off:
Among my friends we call this “restriction” Do you really need 20 tubes of toothpaste – only if you are the Osmonds! Watch your quantities even if you can get the 21st tube for $.25 walk away – that’s. $.25 you can spend elsewhere. Right now I am on restriction for BBQ sauce (we have 11 bottles) unless we are planning a huge BBQ on one of these balmy Charlotte January weekends – I am all set! Having too many of a great deal can also take up to much space you could use for something else.