One of the questions I get asked the most often is: How do you decide what your "rock-bottom" or "stockpile" price is for each item?
It will take some time & research on your part to track the sale prices for the items your family needs, so you get to learn the sale cycles for each product. You'll also have to learn which products offer coupons and the cycles for them as well, so you can maximize your savings.
Other couponers can be a great source of this information, so don't worry if it seems overwhelming at first...if you have question about rock-bottom pricing, feel free to ask away on this blog or on my FB page, Rothesay Coupon Mom.
To get you started, I've compiled a list of the products in my stockpile and the rock-bottom price I've paid for them. Keep in mind that these are just guidelines...you may pay a higher price if you don't have an item stockpiled, but you really need it...you may pay a lower price (which would be great!) if a better sale/coupon comes along. ;-)
Here are my rock-bottom prices, based on store sales and coupon usage:
- Apple Juice - $0.88 per litre
- Apples - $1.79/lb
- Aspirin/Tylenol/Advil - FREE
- Bananas - $0.60/lb
- BBQ Sauce - $0.88 (small bottle)
- Bleach - $0.88
- Body Wash - $1.00/bottle
- Cereal - $1.00/box
- Cheese Block (500g) - $4.99
- Chicken Breasts (boneless, skinless) - $3.99/lb
- Chicken Nuggets (Janes) - $4.97
- Coffee (Maxwell House Instant) - $3.00
- Deodorant - $1.00
- Dishwasher Packs - $0.20/packet
- Facial Tissue - $0.33/box
- Frozen Pizza - $2.00/pizza
- Granola Bars - $1.67/box of 8
- Ground Beef - $1.99/lb
- Hand or Body Lotion - $1.00
- Hand Soap - $1.00
- Household Cleaner - $1.00 per bottle
- Juice Boxes - $0.20 per juice box
- Laundry Detergent - $2.00/bottle
- Lightbulbs - $0.25 per bulb
- McCain Cream Pies/Delite Cakes - $0.99
- Milk (4L bags) - $5.83
- Mouthwash - $1.00/bottle
- Pantyliners/Pads - FREE...stores will often have sales on these for $2, and companies often offer $2 off coupons. ;-)
- Paper Towel - $0.25/roll
- Pasta Sauce/Pasta - $0.67/$0.57 (If you are just getting started, $0.99 is also a really great price...I have the lower prices as my max because of a sale No Frills had a few weeks ago, so I stocked up "hopefully" long enough until the next time they offer that price. Also, I've lowered the pasta price as Walmart has it on sale Aug 12-18 for $0.57 and I intend to get more for my stockpile!)
- Peanut Butter - $2.99/kg
- Salad Dressing - $0.88 (small bottle)
- Shaving Gel - FREE...Walmart often has sales on Gillette shaving cream for $1.50 and P&G offers coupons to save $5.00 WUB3.
- Snack Crackers - $1.67 per box
- Suncreen (Spray) - $5.00
- Toilet Paper - $0.11/regular roll...I've gotten Angel Soft at Giant Tiger for this price, so this is my new max.
- Toothpaste - $0.13 for 100mL...Walmart has Crest for $0.88 and P&G offers $0.75 coupons.
- Vitamins (Children) - $5.00 (I buy Flintsone ones that are normally $12/box)
Happy Couponing,
Andrea
