Do You Know The Store Sale Cycles? Well, I Do Now!

I think that knowing the sales cycles of stores is going to be key in how I am going to organize my savings plan. I am printing this list off for reference and planning. This way I have a month's worth of "what to look & plan for" at my fingertips.

This will be helpful with organizing coupons, when I get to that point in my revamped budget plan. For example: we are getting ready to enter into November, {can you believe it!} so much of my baking supplies are going to be on my list. I am hoping to do a lot of baking in the coming months, freezing the excess.

January 

National Oatmeal Month~ quick, old-fashioned, rolled, and steel-cut oats, ready to cook oatmeal packets,

Diet Foods/Equipment~ including: cereal, frozen entrees, meal and granola bars, diet shakes/ drinks {Healthy Choice, South Beach, Lean Cuisine, Special K, Kashi, Smart Start, 100 Calorie Packs}, diet cookbooks, exercise equipment & weights

Organization Items– shelving, plastic tubs & containers, labels

Super Bowl Sunday: Soda, chips, dips, cheese, sandwich items, crackers, snacks, wings, cut fruit & veggie trays

Seasonal Produce: oranges, pears, grapefruit, tangerines, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chard, collards, kale, kiwi, avocado, cabbage, spinach

Christmas Clearance/Major Markdowns– decorations toys, lights, stocking stuffers, artificial trees, ornaments, wrapping paper, gift bows, New Year’s party supplies– noise makers, hats, party favors, wines & sparkling juices

Winter Health: cold medicines and Vitamins, cough syrup

February

National Canned Food Month: canned fruit, vegetables, pie fillings, soups, meats: tuna, chicken, salmon


American Heart Month: Aspirin, Cholesterol Medications, Low Cholesterol “butter” spreads / sprays etc.


Chinese New Year: Soy Sauce, Crunchy noodles, Teriyaki Sauce, Ramen, Stir fry sauce, stir fry veggies, water chestnuts


Super Bowl Sunday: Soda pop, chips, dips, cheese, sandwich items, crackers, snacks, wings, cut fruit & veggie trays


National Hot Breakfast Month: oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, frozen waffles, syrup, waffle & pancake mix, hash browns, bacon, sausage


Valentine's Day: boxed and bar chocolate, perfume, cards, stuffed animals, gift sets, wine/ sparkling cider, flower arrangements, candles


Seasonal Produce: artichoke, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chard, collards, grapefruit, kale, oranges, parsnips, pears, potatoes, turnips

March

Frozen Food Month: frozen meals and entrees, veggies, side dishes, desserts, juice concentrate

March Madness: soda pop, chips, dips, cheese, crackers, sandwich items, snacks, wings, cut fruit & veggie trays

St Patrick’s Day: Potatoes, Corned Beef,etc

Clearance Sales: winter clothing, snow shovels, ski and sledding equipment

Spring/ Easter: Decorations, baskets, candy, ham, eggs and egg dyeing kits, gift sets, dresses and accessories.

Seasonal Items: Household Cleaners; Gardening supplies

National Peanut Month: Peanut Butter, Peanuts

Seasonal Produce: artichoke, asparagus, avocado, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, grapefruit, grapes, lemon, lime, mushrooms, onions, peas, radish, rhubarb, spinach, strawberries

April

Easter: ham, eggs, dyeing kits, stuffed animals, candy, chocolate, baskets, decorations

Baking supplies: sugar, spices, baking mixes, flour, chocolate chips, refrigerated cookie dough

Earth Day Organic Foods, Energy Saver items, Eco-friendly items, Reusable Totes / Grocery Bags, Natural Cleaners

Spring Items: gardening equipment and seeds, bird feeders, spring cleaning supplies, allergy medicine

Seasonal Produce: artichokes, asparagus, avocados, beets, broccoli, cabbages, carrots, grapefruit, mushrooms, onions, peas, rhubarb, strawberries
After Easter Sales Markdowns~~Decorations, Toys, Wrapping Paper etc. on clearance. Also look for regular food items packaged in Holiday packaging that will be on sale (refrigerated cookies, breads, crackers etc)

May

Cinco De Mayo: salsa, shredded cheese, tortillas, tortilla chips, canned & refried beans, shredded lettuce, pinatas & pinata fillers, frozen Mexican entrees & snacks (taquitos, mini tacos, chimichangas)

Mother’s Day: bouquets, gift sets, perfume, chocolate, photo frames and crafts, jewelry, candles

Memorial Day: BBQ sauce, ketchup, condiments, charcoal, salad dressing, potato chips, dips, paper plates, plastic utensils, sandwich fixings

Summer needs: insect repellant, sunscreen, outdoor furniture, shorts, sun hats, beach toys, bird feeders, lawn mowers, barbecues and grilling utensils

Gardening: plants, flowers, seeds, watering cans, plant food, soil, weed killers, mulch, compost buckets, water hoses

Seasonal Produce: artichokes, asparagus, avocado, beets, blackberries, carrots, corn, green beans, onions, peas in the pod, potatoes, raspberries, strawberries

June

National Dairy Month: eggs, milk (free milk Catalina, wyb cereal), ice cream, cheese, butter, yogurt, Cool Whip, in-store dairy coupons or booklets

End of June is Fourth of July Sales: hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ sauce, ketchup, condiments, charcoal, salad dressing, potato chips, dips

Seasonal Produce: apricots, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cherries, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, grapes, honeydews, nectarines, peaches, potatoes, raspberries, red onions, summer squash, strawberries, sweet Vidalia onions, tomatoes, watermelons

July

National Ice Cream Month

4th of July BBQ Sales: hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ sauce, ketchup, condiments, charcoal, salad dressing, potato chips, dips

Back to School Sales begin at the end of the month: crayons, pencils, folders, binders

Seasonal Produce: Asian pears, Bartlett pears, green beans, blueberries, corn, cucumbers, eggplants, figs, garlic, grapes, nectarines, red onions, Valencia oranges, peaches, sweet bell peppers, plums, potatoes, summer squash, tomatoes, watermelon

August

Back to school supplies: erasers, pens, crayons, paper, binders, backpacks, notebooks, markers, note cards

School lunch items: pudding cups, lunch meat, single serve juices, lunchables

Disinfectants: Clorox and Lysol wipes & sprays

Seasonal Produce: Avocados, beans, berries, cherries, corn on the cob, cucumbers, eggplants, figs, seedless grapes, melons, onions, peaches, pears (Bartlett), peppers (sweet bell), plums, summer squash, tomatillos, and tomatoes

Clearance Summer Items: insect repellent, sunscreen, charcoal, swim suits, gardening supplies and seeds, fans, camping gear

September

Back to School Sales through Labor Day: pens, pencils, paper (filler & printing), backpacks, erasers, folders, binders, dividers

Labor Day Sales: restaurants deals, movie theater perks (free popcorn, soda, concession candy), shoe & apparel store weekend passes

Diabetes Awareness Month: glucose meters, diabetic care– socks, test strips, sugar free products, vitamins, weight scales

Seasonal Produce: apples, artichokes, beans, cucumbers, eggplant, grapes, onions, pears (Asian & Bartlett), peppers (bell and chili), squash, tomatillo, tomatoes

Clearance Summer Items: camping gear, gardening supplies, bug spray, fans & air conditioners, BBQ supplies– grills, charcoal, lighters

October

Halloween: candy, costumes & accessories

Baking sales (mid-October to late December): canned pumpkin, evaporated milk, baking chips, pie crust (mix and ready-made frozen)

National Seafood Month: fish, shrimp, lobster, crab

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: promotions & deals featuring participating “pink” products

Adopt a Shelter-Dog Month: wet & dry dog food, dog toys & chews

Seasonal Produce: apples, artichokes, arugula, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, chard, cranberries, parsnip, pears, pomegranates, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, winter squash, turnips, yams

November

Baking goods: nuts, chocolate chips, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, coconut, cake & brownie mixes, Chex cereal (for homemade Chex mix)

Canned foods: soup, broth, vegetables & fruits, spaghetti sauce

Holiday: turkey, canned pureed pumpkin, stuffing mix, boxed potatoes, gravy mixes, ready-to-bake rolls, frozen pies, cranberry sauce, gelatin, marshmallows

Seasonal Produce: apples, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, celery, cranberries, kiwis, lemons, oranges, pears (Anjou & Comice), potatoes, pumpkin, squash, yams

Halloween Clearance: The best time to stock up on things for the next year:  items like witch hats, gloves, tiaras/ crowns, play swords, pet costumes, capes & cloaks, fangs, and fairy wings are best, especially when you have children whose preferences change year to year.

Black Friday/ Cyber Monday: Deep savings on doorbusters and advertised items ranging from clothing and toys to electronics and appliances. Research sales, make a list, and stick to it for the best results.

Seasonal Sales: rakes, outdoor furniture, bikes

December

Holiday Dinner: egg nog, deli platters, instant potatoes, gravy mixes, Rhodes rolls, frozen pies, cranberry sauce, Jello, marshmallows

Baking: flour, sugar, butter, cream, cake mixes, brownie mixes, muffin mixes, breads, pie crusts, marshmallows, whipped cream

Canned foods: soup, broth, condensed milk, vegetables, fruits, spaghetti sauce

Clearance: Buy all your Thanksgiving decorations, extra table settings, and turkey carving products now once they’re at least 50% off.