Thrifty Thursday: Shopping Sales to Stock up

I had yet another conversation with my mom about getting medicine for my dad and her because they were out again.  I have told her that I usually buy his aspirin when it is on sale and it is double coupons so that I only pay $0.99 for one month supply at the most.  My mom's medicine is from CVS and goes on sale less often but she doesn't by enough to last to the next sale.  My mom asked me to get some and I laughed.  I did give my mom a bunch of coupons to get the aspirin that she needed though.  I don't shop like that I have tried to explain that to her for years!! 

What do I mean by that?  Normally people go to the store and get the items that they want.  Sometimes every week or sometimes not until they are out of items.

How do I shop? I go to the store when there is a sale and there is a coupon to get items at the rock bottom lowest prices.  I fill my pantry, fridge and freezer as well as under the bed boxes so that when I need the items, I pull them out.  Even if you don't use coupons, there is an easy way to save money by stocking up at the low price.  If spaghetti sauce or pasta is on sale for $1 then get how much will last you to the next sale.  If there are other items you use, get them at the lowest price and set them aside for when you need them.

What did I do? I went to the store to get my mom's medicine and there was a 30% coupon and $2 off any allergy medicine so I got the 60 count for $8.65 each for four bottles.  I also got two reusable bags free with purchase!!  Then I went to another store and got three more at $9.65 because I didn't have any more of the $2 off coupons but I did get another free bag.  Instead of the shelf price of the 30 count which is almost $11, I got twice the amount for less money.  Now she has 14 months of medicine for much less money!!

It got me thinking!  After going through the cupboards, I realized that this is what has been helping my budget for this year.  I bought so much flour when they were on sale during the winter months around the holidays that it is going to last me through most of the year until it is time to get those sales again. I bought them at $0.99 per bag instead of the normal $3-4 per bag.  I bought bread flour for under $2 per bag instead of $4-5.  I bought sugar when it was on sale and there was coupons so they were as low as $0.25 for a 4 lb bag instead of $4.  Each time I pull out one of those to refill my container, I know that I have saved at least $2 on each. 

The even better deal is when I get to pull something out that I got for free.  I have a stockpile of Mahatma Saffron rice, House Autry Corn Bread Mix, House Autry Biscuit Mix, Spaghetti sauce, and Pasta in the pantry.  I have a freezer full of free corn, green beans, cheese ravioli and chicken nuggets.  I have a few things left in the fridge that I got for free like coffee creamer, yogurt and some shelf stable milk.  Whenever I get to pull those things out and use them, there is no cost out of my pocket and I can add to the meal.  It always helps to make a meal that uses a few free items to make it much cheaper on the budget.

Have you ever shopped sales to get a few extra of the items that your family always has in the pantry?  The more you get at rock bottom prices, the more you save from your budget!!  Try it and hope you save lots!