Using Sale Cycles to Save Money on Just About Everything (with free printable guide)
While some sales come and go without warning, stores discount certain items on predictable sale cycles. These usually line up with holidays, seasons, or annual events (think back to school, etc). One way to lower your grocery (and overall household) budget is to work with the sale cycles as much as possible. Whenever a food or item is on sale, stock up! Buy as much as you can fit your budget and pantry and will reasonably use in the following year.
Produce, of course, also goes in and out of season. In-season produce is cheaper, more delicious, and more nutritious than out-of-season produce (which is usually picked before it is ripe and transported long distances to get to you). If your budget allows, purchase in-season produce in large volumes to preserve for the rest of the year. Food preservation is much simpler than you might think! Stay tuned, because I’ll be talking more about how to preserve foods to save money and boost nutrition in a future post.
Meanwhile, use this handy list to help guide you to a stockpile of useful items and nutritious foods, all purchased at rock-bottom prices. I’ve saved hundreds of dollars each year (and simultaneously upped the nutrition factor of our food) by following these sale cycles.
Click here for a free printable version of the list.
Sale Cycles
January
Food: broccoli*, cabbage*, tangerines/mandarins*, oatmeal, yogurt, chips, soda, Christmas candy
Household: exercise and fitness equipment, supplements, electronics, winter clothes, wrapping paper, Christmas decorations
February
Food: oranges*, kale*, biscuits, cinnamon rolls, canned goods, chocolate
Household: televisions, toothpaste/toothbrush, contraceptives, perfume
March
Food: avocados*, spinach*, frozen foods
Household: cleaning supplies, bleach
April
Food: bananas*, ham, eggs, Easter candy
Household: kitchenware, vacuums, cleaning supplies
May
Food: condiments, pickles, chips, hamburger patties/hot dogs and buns
Household: sunscreen, towels, paper/plastic plates and utensils
June
Food: strawberries*, watermelon*, milk, yogurt, condiments, pickles, chips, hamburger patties/hot dogs and buns
Household: sunscreen, paper/plastic plates and utensils, tools
July
Food: raspberries*, blackberries*, marionberries*
Household: sunscreen, aloe, paper/plastic plates and utensils, outdoor furniture
August
Food: cherries*, blueberries*, zucchini*, corn*, tomatoes*, cereal, lunch meat, cheese
Household: school/office supplies, clothes (including socks and underwear), tissues, bleach wipes, camping equipment, linens, pillows, towels
September
Food: peaches*, pears*, apples*, green beans*, live herbs
Household: school/office supplies, lawn mowers, barbecues, cellphones
October
Food: pumpkin (fresh* or canned), acorn or butternut squash*, potatoes (including sweet potatoes)*, candy, baking ingredients
Household: muffin cups, kitchen/baking utensils, tires
November
Food: turkey, boxed stuffing, baking ingredients, gelatin, marshmallows, gravy, broth, canned soup, canned green beans, Halloween candy
Household: toys, aluminum foil, electronics
December
Food: candy, baking ingredients, sweetened condensed milk
Household: wrapping paper, toys, batteries
*Produce seasonality varies by location. Click here to find a seasonal produce chart for your state.
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