Once you start couponing a lot, you will find yourself buying stuff that you don’t really need. This happens to all of us and it will happen to you. So what do you do with it?
1. Create your own stockpile – Are there things that you might need it for? A few weeks ago I bought some fruit snacks at Dominick’s for free, but my kids aren’t lucky enough to get a lot of fruit snacks. However, I do have 2 birthday parties coming up. I will save them for goody-bags. Are your kids in school? Do you have to bring snacks? Are you going on a road trip or a plane? Try to think ahead a little bit and see if you will be able to use them somewhere.
2 Give to your family or neighbors – My extended family has been instructed never to purchase toothpaste again. Most of them have come to my house and left with a bag full of goodies in recent months. A few weeks ago, I dropped off bags of shampoo, pasta sauce, Honey Nut Cheerios, and mayo with several of my neighbors. If you have gotten this stuff for free (or a minimal cost), share the wealth! How much do you really need?
3. Donate it – There are always people who are in need. This economy, which is hard for so many, is a perfect time to give back. What better way than to donate the stuff you got for free? Someone can use it. Someone will love it and appreciate it more than you can imagine. If you look around for a bit, there are probably homeless shelters, psychiatric homes, nursing facilities, schools, and food banks that would love your donation. Ask your friends, call your Alderman, ask your park district or local police station. Someone will be able to point you in the right direction. Most will also offer you a tax deduction for your donation.
4. Sell it – I sometimes find myself with things that don’t really fit into any of those categories. The Glade Sense & Sprays that I bought at CVS this week qualify. My family isn’t crazy about them and donating air freshener feels a little strange. BUT, my family has a garage sale every summer. This last summer, I sold tons of the Sense & Sprays, some razors, candles, and many things I got for free. And people ate them up, because they were so cheap! So, not only did I get them for free (or make money on them!), but I’m making more money on top of that! You could probably sell things on Ebay or Craig’s List as well!
Whatever you choose, don’t turn your house into a CVS. Keep enough for your family so that you won’t have to shop for that product for awhile, not enough so that you’ll never have to shop for it again.
Alli is a Chicago based wife and mother of two children. She has turned money-saving into a game and enjoys searching out the best deals to help you save money! Alli shares her insight, tips and up-to-the-minute deals for local and national retailers and brands. Her hope is that you will play the game and learn to save money at the same time!