It doesn't pay to throwaway...

I know that I preach the value of stockpiling and buying copious quantities of things when they come on sale... but it pays to remember - you won't eat what's expired and if you throw it away, you throw away your money too!

I was inspired to write this reminder today by a blog post I found on my Sunday bloggy travels.. You know it's bad when the velveeta's expired from the blog The Bormann Twins which I found through The SITSGirls...

It brings up three important points to remember in our couponning frenzy -

1. Buy what you know you will use in a given period of time ... if you know that your cereal is on a 3 month sale rotation, only buy what you will use in those 3 months give or take... (This is where your price book/grocery records can come in handy... one of my friends T also marks each box of cereal with the date she bought it and then the date she opens it, so she can track her usage!)

2. Even if you have a coupon, if you don't have a need- don't buy it...  the only exception to this rule are freebies and money makers - and those you should donate right away if you are not going to use them!

3. Keep your pantry/fridge organized and do a monthly inventory... check all the expiry dates on everything - including the velveeta, condiments and even the pantry items - especially things like pancake mix and cake mixes etc... if the expiry date is within a month or two, use it up - or donate it!

That's this week's challenge to everyone - take a peek in your pantry, cupboards and fridge and find the stuff that is already staledated or going out... and do something about it!  I'll have a check in on Sunday next week to see what everyone has unearthed...

***I also want to stress the health and safety of keeping your items fresh - here is a link to some excellent advice on food and expiry dates

**** and don't forget to stop by Acting Balanced today for a yummy recipe - it's MMMmonday!

Is stockpiling wrong?

I had someone stop me in the supermarket the other day and ask me if I was feeding an army because I was buying 10 boxes of Honey Nut Chex... I said no, I am taking advantage of the sale (BOGO) and my coupons to get ahead and the fact that my family including my GF son eats Chex.  She then made a non-repeatable comment about people who stockpile... the gist of which is stockpilers ruin the sales for other people...

My thoughts on this once I recovered from the fact that I was verbally accosted in Publix by a very nosy and rude person... was to reflect that if the stores were against multiple purchase buying then they would put limits on the number of items you could buy in a week or transaction... and that if you can't find what you want on the day you are shopping in Publix they have a fabulous rain check program...

I know that it can be frustrating to go looking for an advertised 'deal' item that is a feature ingredient in your dinner plans or something you've been salivating over since you saw they were on sale in the flier... because it has happened to me... and not just with sale items... and sometimes you just have to adjust...

but the good news is that stores often do limit the number of 'sale' items you can purchase if they have a limited supply and for those they have run out of unexpectedly they offer rain checks... and most will attach your expiring coupons to the back of the rain check to be used when they are back in stock...

I've also had situations where I've asked for a rain check because there is less than the quantity I want on the shelf and rather than deprive the 'single item' shopper, I will wait for all my stockpile items...


I've said my piece... now I open it to you .. what do you think?