Whatch Your Experation Dates!

     Extreme couponing is a great way to save money on groceries and other household items.  But there is one thing you need to keep an eye on. The Expiration dates.  There is no point is stocking up on items if they are going to expire quickly.  This is why the recommendation is 3 to 6 months.  You may save hundreds of dollars buying items on sale with a coupon but at the same time you will waste the same amount if you are not careful.  

     Here are a few ways to keep track of expiration dates:

1. When putting away cans add new ones to the back of your stash.  Same with anything that goes in the cabinets.  It may take a bit longer to put items away but this will save you from finding expired items later.
2. Write dates on your meats with a marker.  When you buy meat in bulk and separate in to smaller bags write the dates on them.  There are many guides available on the internet to keep track of how long items last in the freezer.
3. Check dates before you purchase items.  I always look at the expiration dates of products I buy. Sometimes I will have to grab items from the back of the shelves to find the longer expiration dates.  Remember stores often put items on sale to get rid of items that will expire soon.
4. Keep in mind your storage conditions.  There are a lot of items that will go bad if you do not store them in a dry place.  If you use your garage for storage consider investing in shelves, plastic bins or drawers to organize and keep your stockpile safe.
5. Keep track of what you use in a month to know exactly how much you need to stockpile.  Sales cycles are about 3 months long before they start again.  While many share the wealth not everything gets used.  Keep that in mind when purchasing items.