All the gals (and guys) in our hemisphere are getting ready for summer and for many regional holidays. I am sure many locales have their special summer holidays.
Do you gals in the southern hemisphere have holidays in your fall?
We will soon be celebrating Memorial Day and Independence Day here in America. Summer is picnics and fun foods and treats.
My reminder is all about taking advantage of SALES and stocking your pantry for cheap!
(Grow something if you have that option!)
I have seen so many people post about how expensive watermelons are at the grocery ($8). Corn prices so expensive. Chicken and ground meat expensive. Well, yes - they are expensive and there may be varied reasons for that.
A big part of that is THINGS ARE NOT IN SEASON!!!!!
Now is NOT the time to buy fresh watermelon or corn (unless a holiday sale). They aren't in season yet - so they will be more expensive. Strawberries have been a decent price in the past couple weeks - they are now in season.
DON'T buy foods that aren't in season.
There are many things that are cheaper depending on the time of the year. Watermelon, peaches, strawberries, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, oranges, turkey, ham, potatoes, apples, asparagus.......and on and on.
Also holidays offer up many a savings as well. Grilling meats are much cheaper this time of the year - both hotdogs and ground beef. Buns, chips and snacks are priced well. Condiments are very reasonably priced. Water and pop - I know many still buy these things. I purchase pop once in a great while, and use my faucet for water and I make my own ice.
I DO NOT pay full price for hardly anything. I shop sales, clearance, mark downs and seasonally shop. This is one reason I have not delved into the delivery/shop options that stores offer. There is no way they will shop the clearance for me (nor know what I might need) and they substitute - so I may not be getting the best prices.
I buy very few name brand items as well.
It is not always about what you don't buy - but what you DO buy! Brands and seasonal make a difference and CLEARANCE - it is essential to keep a budget down.
STOP shopping every week. For most that is a HABIT - and not necessary. Make a plan for every couple weeks or once a month. If you run out of something - the world isn't going to end!!!!! Do without for a while. SUBSTITUTE something else.
THINK!!!!!!!
So don't cancel your picnics and cookouts - just plan ahead. We can all enjoy all the goodies that come with special days and summer - just do it cheaply. Stock up and you can continue to enjoy the spoils of the holiday sales for months to come.
PLAN, PLAN, PLAN. Shop the deals and stock up while the getting is good!!!!
Don't pay retail - purchase with sales. You can keep your budget low this way - not only for the week or month - but for the future.
Be SALE & SEASONAL SAVY. It is truly more important now than ever with inflation the way it is.
BUT - remember - prices go up and prices come down!!!!!!!!!! DON"T panic or make bad decisions!
Happy stocking!
Shop the sales!!!! Shop the loss-leaders!!! Be willing to shop at multiple stores, if necessary, rather than just making one stop. I've regularly been shopping for my dairy products at Aldi, since there eggs are at least $0.50 less, and milk, coffee creamer, and yogurt are all more reasonable (and I like their Greek yogurt better than some of the name brands). For meat and produce, I like another local chain ... but they closed the store closest to me, so I don't get to their nearest location (about 5 miles in the opposite direction) as often. But if their sales are good enough, I'll make a trip. I have a list of condiments I need and am watching for the Memorial Day sales to start. I'll also restock my freezer with some dogs, brats, Italian sausage, and ground beef (or pre-pattied burgers, depending on the sale price).
ReplyDeleteYou go girl!!!!! That is the way to shop and save. Aldi is always a little cheaper on some items and that it wonderful. This time of the year there are some great meat deals coming up - one needs to take advantage and stock up on those items.
DeleteI love hearing others shop the way I do - it sure makes sense and CENTS!
I just have to laugh at how much you and I are alike in our shopping habits. I rarely buy anything that is not on sale. This week I will do no shopping as I need nothing and the loss leaders are meh. I would never buy a watermelon this time of year, yuck.
ReplyDeleteI know - watermelon now would not be good. Some people must never have had a GOOD one or they wouldn't even try.
DeleteI often skip weeks on shopping. No sales - and a stocked pantry allows that to happen!!!
LoriK mentioned the Memorial Day sales, and you touched on them but didn't mention them specifically. Grocery advertising is all about next week's holiday. Memorial Day, and to a lesser extent, the 4th of July, will have super sales on picnic items, especially chickens, ground beef and some other BQ foods, buns, paper plates and condiments. It will be the cheapest time of year to stock up on ketchup, mustard, pickles/relish, barbecue sauce, canned pork and beans, etc. Strawberries will be cheap, too. The Fourth of July will be similar, but I find not quite as good.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed - the next couple months have good holidays for grilling and picnic items. Surely the time to stock up. There might be some decent picnic stuff come Sept. for Labor Day - but get it now if you see it cheap - who knows what can happen in the next few months!
DeleteI always "gather" my foods at multiple places to save.
ReplyDeleteGood logic. Different places have different sales and set pricing - so that is a plan that works well.
DeleteI love learning how other gals do their shopping!
Great advice!! I shop grocery sales, too. I cringe if I ever have to pay full price for meat!
ReplyDeleteSame here. I love a sale or clearance - so much savings!!
DeleteHere and there there will still be a sale and I stock up when I see what I want. In January I always fall for a watermelon. Most of the time I can't stop myself. They are not good in January. Not good at all. Wish I had more control about that.
ReplyDeleteYe, if they have what you want on sale - stock!!
DeleteNope, no good watermelons in January. Just say NO!!!!! LOL Buy oranges instead!
Except for bananas, which my husband eats a lot of and they are never on sale, I buy everything else on sale---now that the pantries are stocked (dry goods, refrig and freezer) I can allow myself to do that. Very freeing!
ReplyDeleteIt is really nice isn't it? I love having plenty of food and not having to worry.
DeleteGood for you. You sounds like a woman with a plan!
I shop the same way you do! Watermelons are 5.98 here but it is too early for a good one and would be a waste of money and still a bit too much for what I will pay. We run around $200 a month for two and our pantry is overflowing because we only buy the deals. In reality groceries are up 4% which is not as much as it seems. It takes some work and a few stops each week but we enjoy the hunt!
ReplyDeleteI agree a little more than I want to pay as well.
DeleteThat is a good budget for 2. Watching deals really helps stretch it.
I know things are up on retail - but sales are pretty much the same as always - so I will stick to those!
The HUNT is what is fun!
Agree with you, it is always cheaper to buy in season. We are in the winter here in the southern hemisphere so not as many fruits and vegetables in season, but still plenty to eat healthily. Now I live alone in a city where I can walk to the shops I find it easier to shop small every day or few days. It has resulted in minimal waste and it gets me out in the fresh air. Though I do have a stocked pantry to supplement, and I will be ok for weeks if I am ever not able to get out.
ReplyDeleteJ
I was starting to get worried reading " shop small every day or few days" - then you clarified that with you have a "stocked pantry". GOOD
DeleteThat does make it easier for you I am sure and like you said fresh air and exercise.
I am glad you are covered just in case!
I shop at multiple stores and only sales, reduced, loss leaders, bogo, and use coupons. I will buy bananas no matter the price. I rarely pay full price for anything. I wholeheartedly agree with you.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great plan! Not much else you can buy as cheap per pound as bananas!!
DeleteThanks
One thing I have learned since the pandemic hit last year was I do not have to go to the grocery store every week. I used to go every week hell or high water. No more. I go every 2-3 weeks now. I stock up when I do go but if I don't have something I just do without and wait until the next grocery run. I will not be going back to weekly grocery store trips any time soon. I like it much better this way. Never thought I'd say that but yup I do. So I do stock up and buy in season but only every 2-3 weeks.
ReplyDeletePreach it girl! Me too. I used to always HAVE to go every week - no more. I skip many weeks. It is kind of freeing!
DeleteI seem to talk myself out of it each week! LOL
Folks used to eat only what was in season. I have been craving tomatoes for salads but will wait for the good ones out of our own garden. A sale is good, a sale with a coupon even better! Hopefully the upcoming holidays will generate some good sales to stock up on a few items.
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful this morning and I hope to finish dealing with the last of the wild mustard and thistles. They must really like our yard! Also hanging laundry on the line.
Yes people DID eat in season they had to. I kind of wish we did as well. We would all be healthier for sure
DeleteI have been battling some vining weed and poison ivy! It all grows in my yard. I hear your pain!!
It's July now when I'm reading this. Our out-of-state grands were here and we always take them school clothes shopping since we don't do much during the rest of the year. I was so proud of the girls. They shopped a lot and every receipt shows they saved at least as much if not more than the total. They were mostly 30-60% off sales.
ReplyDeleteOn the food front, we were out of the good hotdogs we like so I waited and waited. I refuse to pay $9+ for a large package. July 4th sales had them at a little over $6. I stocked up for the year. 6 packages will get us through until next summer.
Now I will be watching for sales on gatorade and snack size fruit as it is Detasseling time for corn. Then I'll be watching for back to school office supplies and cereals. And then baking sales when it gets closer to the holidays. Of course I will be watching now for all those things just in case there is a surprise sale of last year's excess before the new crop comes in.
I love your blog. I am so much like you, also a widow, grew up the same way. My husband and I much like yours except childhood sweethearts and married at 20.
ReplyDelete