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What to Buy When: March
March is known for coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb. But what is March known for when it comes to sales? Boasting 31 days, this last leg on the journey to spring seems like the longest. There are lots of ways to save this month, you just have to know what to buy when. Remember, it pays to know your sales cycles.
What is a Sales Cycle?
The rotation of featured sale prices is called a sales cycle, and it’s important to know about because it will save you money. Three to four times a year, nearly every grocery item will go on sale at its rock-bottom price. Saving the most money means that you will make your purchases when that item is at its lowest price, and you will buy enough of that item to last you until the next time it goes on sale at its lowest price. For example, when I find toothpaste on sale for $1, I usually have a coupon to pair with that sale, making it free. I will stock up on toothpaste so that I have enough to last my family until the next time it goes on sale (in about three months).
What is on sale in March?
There are certain items, however, that only go on sale in March. (For example, St. Patrick’s Day Sales only happen during March. ) These sales won’t cycle around again until next March. It’s important to know how to budget so that your purchasing dollars are ready to stock up on these items—buying enough to last you over the next twelve months.
At the Grocery
March has been deemed National Frozen Food Month by the National Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Association. You’ll find sales on:
- Frozen vegetables
- Frozen fruits
- Frozen Breakfasts, Lunch, and Dinner entrees
- Frozen snacks
- Ice cream, Popsicles (Learn how to make your own popsicles HERE.)
- Pizza
March is the month when we emphasize Spring Cleaning. (Check out my healthy, green homemade cleaning products HERE.) Look for sales on:
- Window Cleaner
- Furniture Polish
- Bathroom cleaners –tub, toilet, tile
- Floor cleaners
- Specials on power washers, home maintenance services
- Carpet Cleaning service specials
- Carpet Cleaners/machines
- Other Cleaning supplies
March Madness–the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship, a single-elimination college basketball tournament held each spring in the United States–brings with it great pizza delivery deals, frozen pizza deals, as well as sale prices on soft drinks, chips, and dip. Be watching for that.
*Find corresponding coupons on Coupons.com and my Coupon Database.
March In-Season Produce –Click on the links to go straight to great recipes!
- Asparagus
- Avocado — See all my Avocado recipes HERE.
- Basil — Tomato Basil Soup, Basil Pesto, Tomato and Basil Bruschetta, Basil and Lemon Spaghetti
- Beans — Northern Beans and Corn Cakes
- Beets
- Berries
- Broccoli — Oven Roasted Broccoli
- Cabbage — Cabbage Soup, Bierocks (Cabbage and Beef Pockets)
- Chinese Cabbage
- Cucumbers — Cucumber Sandwich, Carrot and Cucumber Ponzu Salad
- Radish
- Head or Iceberg Lettuce
- Mangoes — Mango Avocado Salad with Cumin Dressing
- Okra
- Sweet Oranges — Any Fruit Smoothie
- Papayas
- Peas
- Chile Peppers
- Sweet Peppers
- Rhubarb
- Shallots
- Spinach
- Summer Squash — Summer Squash Pasta
- Turnips/Turnip Greens — Learn How to Cook Turnip Greens HERE
*Print out my full listing on my Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables Chart. (Post it as a reference on your refrigerator.)
National Sales Events
March is a month with several National Events going on.* Keep your eyes open for sales that are promoting:
- Irish American Month — Potatoes, Corned beef, other “Irish” foods. Try my Corned Beef Brisket Recipe HERE.
- Music in Our Schools Month
- National Craft Month
- National Frozen Food Month
- National Irish American Heritage Month
- National Nutrition Month
- National Peanut Month
- National Women’s History Month
- Poetry Month
- Red Cross Month
- Social Workers Month
EASTER comes late this year, April 8, 2012, so be looking for Easter-related sales at the very end of the month.
Clearance Items
- Digital cameras
- Humidifiers
- Small consumer electronics (MP3 players, DVD and Blu-ray players, etc.)
- TVs — Prices will drop with March Madness’ “Sweet Sixteen” weekend.
- Winter coats, winter sports gear (last-chance sales)
DO BUY:
- Wedding gifts — China, Crystal, Stemware, Flatware, small kitchen appliances
- Washers and Dryers
- Luggage
BUT DON’T BUY:
- Grills/Patio Equipment. Not yet! Even if it’s beautiful where you live, you’ll want to wait until Memorial Day to really save money on these items.
You might also like:
- Easter Ideas
- Easter Basket Ideas
- How to Budget | Free Printable Budget Worksheet
- 5 Tips for Using Coupons
- Seasonal Fruits and Veggies Chart
Find out What to Buy When on Faithful Provisions.
Do you have any tips or sales you look forward to in March? Please share them in the comments below. If you liked this post, please share it on Facebook!
My kids love corned beef and cabbage and often ask for it on their birthday or name day. Here it goes on sale for around $0.99/pound in March, so I buy 10-12 and put them in our deep freeze to last us until next year.