Stockpiling Tips

6 or 7 months ago when I started really couponing I never knew how much stuff I would get. I never knew I would have 3 months of diapers, 6 months of laundry detergent and more food then I know what to do with.

I wanted to give you some tips that I wish I could have known when I started couponing and stockpiling-

1. Check the expiration dates. I know this sounds obvious, but it wasn't to me. I know living here in Utah people know more about stockpiling and rotating your food then most. However I did not know much about it! I remember my fist 'big' shopping trip and I saved over 70% I was so proud of myself. I know I was starting to get the hang of couponing and was going to have my fist stockpile of food. So I got home and started finding placed to put all my food and noticed on my snack food items that I had over 40, yes 40 boxes and bags were about to expire in less then one month. I was so upset with myself that I did not check to see when they were going to expire. So learn from my mistake and check the expiration dates.
2. Ask yourself how long your family will use this item. Again with my first 'big' shopping trip, I was so excited to have all the coupons I needed and be able to save 70% that I did not think if my family would really even eat over 40 items of dry snack food. The expiration date did not help with that- however, looking back at it- I just bought to many snack items. Even at the great deal they were, my family would never use 40 dray snack items. Double check with yourself and make sure you will really use as many as you are buying. Now if the items are FREE or close to it, I always buy as many as I can- I am sure you can find someone who is willing to take FREE food of your hands.
3. Know how much of an item you need. I am sure you can tell from my pictures that I have a lot of needed items. However, I surely don't need the 18 tubs of kids toothpaste that I have (I know 12 of them where free! Can't pass it up) and I did find a charity to give them to- So I am sure when those deals come around again I am going to buy just as many so I can help others (specially when they are free or next to it!) With that being said- I have 11 BBQ sauses and I am sure I will not use all 11 in the next year, so know how much of an item you will really use or need. You don't want to wast money even though you are getting such a great deal on it. If you don't need it you will wast it and the money you spent on it.

*Yes these really are pictures of my stockpile :)