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About a dozen years ago, DH and I started couponing and stockpiling seriously.
We only buy items that are on sale, clearance, specials. We match the items up
with mfg. coupons, store coupons. As a result, my grocery bill rarely exceeds an
average of $50.00/week for 3 adults. That includes food, cleaning supplies, pet
food, health/beauty, paper goods, etc. When I need something in the house, I
go "shopping" in my garage for it.
Stockpiling and not being brand loyal allows me to be an opportunist. It helps
that most of the major markets in my area double coupons, of course. As I
mentioned yesterday in a reply to Corganiacs post, 2 days ago at my Ralphs
market, I bought $100.66 worth of groceries for $30.63. That includes meat and
produce by the way. As an example, I got 5 pgs. of Northern 100 ct. napkins
for 19 cents each, 2 Lipton Asian side dishes for 19 cents each, 3 3-packs of
Scotch-Brite Scrub Sponges for 19 cents, 3 rolls of Reynold's Plastic Wrap for,
yup, you guessed it, 19 cents. Also 3 bottles of Hunt's Ketchup for 39 cents.
Each item gets dated with month/year so they are rotated constantly. It really
helps to have a freezer for meat and frozen foods. The markets here do deep
discounting on fresh meat when their expiration dates are almost up. Between
that and loss leader sales, I keep the freezer jam packed. So, we eat well and
want for nothing. Even junk food is free or almost free with coupons. During my
last Ralphs raid, I got 3 packages of Brach's Bridge Mix for nuthin'.
When you add the "Free After Rebate" stuff from Walgreens, Rite-Aid and Long's
Drugstores, well, there isn't too much we lack! For those of you who don't have
much storage space, do what you can. Get creative - store cans/boxes under the
bed if you have to. Barter space in someone's garage.
For those of you who can't or won't coupon and stockpile, THANKS. You're putting
money in my pocket. Obviously, if everybody did what I do, the markets would
discontinue their programs. As for me, I take all the money I save and travel or
buy toys for myself. Any questions?
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