It sure seems like the fall and winter months are great times for stocking the pantries. So much is on sale - all the goodies and foods many use for holidays.
You need to take advantage while the getting is good. NOW is the time.
Over the past month turkeys could be purchased for mere pennies a pound. I am still noticing some cheap turkeys in the ads. Now .69/lb. but I know of nothing else one can buy that cheaply!! Hams are starting to be advertised as well. I am seeing prices from .79/lb. - .95/lb. NOT bad at all. I have seen ham butts, shank and spiral cut all for less than a dollar a pound.
Stock those freezers for the next 6 months to a year with these inexpensive meats! Seriously, you cannot even get lunchmeat this cheap. Get it now and use it all year. There are many uses for each, and you can even grind it and use it along with other ground meats or oats or crackers to extend. You can extend these items with lentils or beans as well.
We have to be aware and watch everything.
Baking goods and ingredients are super cheap now. Stock your pantry with flour, sugar, chips, nuts, seasonings, spices, etc. Canned pumpkin has been 10/$10 here for a while - $1 a can is great for those who like pumpkin.
Remember to look at other places than just grocery stores. Many places like Ollie's, Big Lots, and even Rural King sell spices and seasonings very cheaply. You can often get big containers.
I tend to get many things like cinnamon or onion powder at Ollie's. It is super cheap. You can even check the dollar stores for items.
You can keep winter squash for a long, long time in a cool dark place (not frig). Make sure you keep onions and potatoes separate to make them last longer.
Apples are pretty cheap now. And oranges and grapefruit are coming into their cheaper season as well.
MAKE SURE you check the clearance and mark down section of the produce department as well. You can get some great deals there.
Canned goods are being priced nicely now as well. I know many don't like canned products, but some do, and it is a good time to stock. Soups of all kinds are being put on sale. All the 'cream of' soups have been marked down - since so many use in cooking. Also, those bigger cans of pour and heat soups are on sale. Not everyone can or wants to make homemade soup and some of these options are wonderful deals. I do like having a few on the ready to eat soups (not condensed) soups on hand, just in case. If one gets sick - it is nice to have a nice and easy meal to use.
Many canned veggies and fruits are on sale this time of the year as well.
In the next couple weeks even things that may not be considered pantry items (but are) will be cheaper. Cards, paper, and decorations will be marked down to dirt cheap. Many gift packs will be marked down - this is a good way to stock up on gifts for the future and even for yourself. You can get many health and beauty items for pennies for your own pantry.
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Prices continue to rise. Inflation is a given. Be smart and beat the 'powers that be' at their own game! Get your pantry stocked, while the getting is good. SERIOUSLY!!!!!!
Buy cheap - and stock up. It is just the smart thing to do.
Buy what you use and like. Buy enough to last a long while, especially when prices are super cheap. Odds are you won't see those cheap prices again for a long while.
USE what you stock.
I know I have said it many times - but I can't stress it enough - buying sales, clearance, mark downs, etc. is MONEY IN THE BANK!
Yes, it is!
Be smart and get stocked for whatever may come your way. Always be prepared for anything.
The one upside of Covid19 is that my husband and I started a pantry last year. We have been keeping it well stocked with what we use most often. We watch sales, use coupons and rewards to add to it. Our freezer is always full it seems which is fine with us. Nice to see at least one thing good come out of a pandemic.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely and good job!! It could be any problem that it may be needed for - but C gave a lot of people the boost they needed to get started.
DeleteKeep it up!!!!!
Great advice! Oh, how I miss a big freezer-only appliance. Our new house, whenever we get there, will be wired for a freezer in the laundry room. Woo-hoo!
ReplyDeleteDon't forget cold & flu OTC meds, which are BOGO just about everywhere now. Or brand name cosmetics that are at (rare) percent off plus "gift with purchase" offers this time of year. Undies, bras and socks also tend to be on sale at the holidays; with stacked coupon codes it's a good time to stock up on those, too. --Elise
Just to add, I know it's a HUGE blessing to be able to stock up. Not everyone can. Praying about that every day.
DeleteYES, IF it is something we use and need - we need to stock. Pets, OTC stuff, clothes, laundry, seeds, etc..
DeleteIt is just the wise thing to do.
You are right - that some have less chance of stocking up - but even on a little money - people can add 1 or 2 of this or that every time at a cheaper price. $5 or $10 a week can make a huge difference.
DeleteI hope everyone gives it a try each week.
While we have sales here, there certainly aren't prices like what you're seeing. Potatoes are on sale at $4.99 for a 5 pound bag, normally $5.99 or $6.99. Part of the issue for us, is nothing is grown locally at this time of year. Everything is brought in from Mexico or South America which adds to the costs.
ReplyDeleteEven meat that is processed here is high priced. Though I did pick up lean ground beef this week for $3.49 a pound. Again it's usually closer to $5 or more a pound.
I do tend only to buy items when they are on sale, unless it is a staple that I need. You're correct when you say inflations is inevitable, time value of money means buying it today saves in the long run.
I never thought of that - much further to ship. West coast and southern border are about only place things MAY grow during winter here. We are fortunate to be able to get the deals we do. I am not sure of the exchange rate with Canada - so not sure how it all works out.
DeleteAnytime you get something cheaper go for it!!!!
Pretty well stocked up here but I don't think we get quite the same kind of deals here in Canada as in the US. Living in a resort city, our prices are fairly high. They call it the "sunshine tax" .. don't love it but I do love where I live.
ReplyDeleteLOL! That sounds just like Florida.
DeleteDonna - tat is what Maebeme was saying. Things are different everywhere - we just need to take advantage when we can. Get those deals as you find them.
DeleteLANA - my thoughts exactly! Florida the sunshine state
DeleteWe have been hauling home the deals! It is killing our grocery budget but we will be glad we did it later. Aldi still has a lot pumpkin here for .85 a can. We bought two spiral hams for .95 a pound yesterday. We plan to take off the slices in two big stacks and vacuum seal them and freeze the bones with the remaining meat separate. I hope to get another one or two. Yesterday my husband opened his iBotta app to find a list of freebies at Walmart. He got free butter, choc chips, gatorade, cookie dough, cinnamon and something I am forgetting. I did not get the freebies so it is hit or miss but everyone check your app! All the items were money makers as the prices were less than the rebates.
ReplyDeleteFREE is just money in your wallet!!!! I got a ham today for .79/lb. at Kroger. Spiral were .85/lb. Sure is a deal. Get as much as you have room for.
DeleteI just love this time of the year for bargains. Go get those freebies gal!!!!
Here in sunny SW Florida, our Publix NEVER has marked down meats or fresh produce. Not sure what they do with it. Occasionally, Aldi has marked down meat if the date is close, but not usually as it flies off the shelf! I have not seen marked-down produce there ever.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I do feel blessed that I have a great pantry...and I buy BOGO's every chance I can!
I know baking products are on sale, but I rarely bake so don't buy those. I have a great stock of canned goods.
Are you feeling better, Cheryl? Has your mood lifted? Sending hugs.
A friend of my sister's has worked at Publix for over 30 years and things that other stores would mark down go to the deli and bakery area to be cooked and sold in other than fresh ways. The friend says she would never eat what they sell in the deli as cooked food.
DeleteThis is also why they started selling subs. Close date deli meat and cheese and less than great produce goes on subs and you never know. Also, the nice lady in the produce dept cutting up all the fruit and putting it in those pretty fruit bowls, yes, they are cutting off the bruised parts and using the good strawberries out of the need to go boxes. Really an ingenious business model but not what you expect from Publix. Years ago they got in big trouble for taking old meat and washing it in a bleach solution and repackaging it and putting it back in the meat case.
DeleteLejmom - thank you I am feeling better. I have gotten out some this week and that has sure helped. I got to spend some time with my sis (at rehab) and we had a good visit. It really does help to get out some.
DeleteThat is something on the mark downs. We have a section in just about every dept. Produce, meats, bakery, and frozen and groceries in general at Kroger and other stores. I never see much at Aldi marked down - but don't go that often anymore.
LANA - that is something to hear. Doesn't sound very yummy for the most part! Ick. I would not have guessed that. We don't have Publix here, so not sure if it compares to something in our area.
WOW
You know Cheryl I have not seen a stock up sale for baking yet in my area. This is a time when I do stock up. I don't think I missed it and it is getting close to Christmas. Just might have to bite the bullet.
ReplyDeleteOur bake sales started before Thanksgiving. Wow, I can't believe you haven't had any. Even this week, canned milk, marshmallows, and fruit (for pies) was on sale here.
DeleteBummer, you may have missed them. You have had a very distracted fall - so I can understand that.
We had baking supply sales before Thanksgiving. I think the lowest prices are behind us now.
DeleteI think so too unfortunately.
DeleteI wish we had as good of sales as you do. Still I am going to grab a turkey or two this week as I can get one for around $1.50 a lb right now.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
It is amazing how prices vary. I guess we all buy what is the best price in our area - that is what counts.
DeleteGood luck - hope you get them.
I have always stocked up during sales. I have increased this since the pandemic. Prices do keep rising and I have found that my pantry is my best investment. I love the fact that I do not have to go out as often, just for milk, eggs and produce. I can go in the kitchen and have everything I need. I eat from the pantry and restock dry goods, canned goods etc as loss leaders.I do the same with personal items, paper good, meds and even dog food. These are all things that you have taught me and I am grateful!
ReplyDeleteIt IS your best investment. Inflation is higher than interest rates at this moment. Interest on your money is about nil at the bank.
DeleteOur pantries and our health are great investments right now.
SO happy you are keeping up and keeping stocked.
Glad to hear you had a visit with your sister and you are feeling better. The holiday season coupled with the sun setting early gets to a person. Our chickens go to bed in the middle of the afternoon.
ReplyDeleteIt pays to stock up when items are on sale. I bought lots of sweet potatoes when Meijer had them a quarter a pound. Will probably buy cabbage when it is cheaper. The chickens like it and we love cabbage dishes. Our freezer is chock full after the last chicken buying spree. ha!
Thank you - getting out and socializing helps.
DeleteGood job on buying the deals. I do the same. Sounds like you are ready for the long winter days.
Trust you are safe from the bad weather that’s been around. Hugs~
ReplyDeleteThank you for asking. It got real scary last night - but all is fine here. Today the wind is over the top - but still all is good.
DeleteSo many were not so fortunate.
Glad you all are safe.
DeleteI was just checking for the same reason - so glad to hear you are safe.
ReplyDeleteThat is great advice about stocking up on meats since they are inexpensive right now. You’re right they are cheaper than lunchmeat. Such great advice.
ReplyDeleteThanks - I know right? Even at its cheapest a pack of lunchmeat is $1 and that doesn't last any time. Might as well get the good stuff!!!!
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