Couponing Defined

I mentioned a while back that I'd like to start posting a bit about "couponing" here as a means to building parts of Your Own Home Store without breaking the bank.  Well, I thought the first step would be to define it.  I see couponing as a combination of two things:
     1 - Deal Stacking
     2 - Stockpiling

Deal Stacking:

There are many different types of deals available for the things we buy.  "Deals" such as:
  
     *Sales
     *Clearances
     *Paper coupons
     *Coupon codes
     *Rebates
     *Cash back

A large part of "couponing" is learning the art of "stacking" these deals, meaning using more than one at a time, for maximum savings.  Take a look at this example:

Toothpaste:

     Deal #1:  Sale price of $2 (regularly $3) means you pay $2 for your toothpaste

     Deal #2:  Coupon for $1 off  toothpaste (regularly $3) means you pay $2 for your toothpasate

     Deal #3:  Rebate of $3 when you buy three toothpastes (regularly $3 ea) means you pay $2 for each tube of toothpaste.

Photo Credit: Clean Walmart

Taking advantage of these deals separately will result in paying $2 for a tube of toothpaste.  However, if you can wait until all three deals are available at the same time, you can get your toothpaste for FREE instead:

     *Buy 3 toothpastes on sale for $2 or $6 total
     *AND, use three $1 off coupons to bring your cost to $3 total.
     *THEN, get a $3 rebate to bring your cost to NOTHING!

Isn't that AWESOME!?  And it is totally possible.  I haven't paid for toothpaste in years, and my "home store" is full of it.  I eve n have enough to share with others.

Stockpiling:

Have you ever seen something you love on sale for a great price?  I have a friend who loves poptarts (I know, funny) and she saw them on sale for $1 a while back (plus, she had a $0.50 coupon).  What do you think she did?  Yep, she bought about ten boxes!  She "stockpiled."  Because she had poptarts in her home store that she paid $0.50 for, she didn't have to pay $2 or $3 a box when she needed them later on.  She simply shopped from her "home store" instead.

I define "couponing" as the combination of these two ideas: stacking deals to get a great price and stocking up when you are able to find that great price.

These ideas can be applied to everything from groceries to paper goods to clothing and even electronics and furniture to some degree (at least the deal stacking....I don't really need to "stock up" on TVs or couches!) allowing us to purchase more with the same amount of money.  Doing so allows us to live frugally and be more self reliant.

There are many, many couponing blogs out there.  I'll list some of my favorites below (I even used to have one).  These blogs can help make the process of "couponing" much easier as they find all the great deals for you.  I won't go into nearly that much detail here, but I will post an occasional awesome deal that I find for items that I believe would be wise to have in Your Own Home Store.

My favorite "couponing" blogs:

     *Money Saving Mom (lists deals for stores (even really small stores) all over the nation
     *For the Mommas  (does a great job with Ritead: a great place to get toiletries and paper good for free or next to free)
     *Krazy Coupon Lady (I just like her style)

I am an independent consultant for Shelf Reliance; a company with a mission to empower others to become self reliant, prosperous and charitable.  You can learn more about Shelf Reliance, buying their products, earning free products, or selling their products on my Shelf Reliance website.