Missed the monthly What to Buy When series? Find them all HERE.
If you have been couponing for a while, you have already noticed that particular items seem to be a better deal at certain times of the year. This is because retailers are competing for your dollars. They know what potential customers are looking for throughout the year, and in order to woo you into their place of business, they will offer you the best deals on your greatest needs. For example, what are you most interested in purchasing right now? Well, in October, you’re enjoying football and the fall foliage, but you are already starting to think about the holidays. Retailers know that.
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 October?
There are certain items, however, that only go on sale in October. These sales won’t cycle around again until next October. It’s important to plan your budget so that your purchasing dollars are ready to stock up on these items—buying enough to last you over the next twelve months. Here are the items you’ll see smiling and winking at you this month:
At the Grocery
Kraft has big sales in October. Remember: Strategic couponing means you stack great coupons with sale prices to get the most out of your grocery budget. Find Kraft coupons HERE. Also, be watching for sales on:
- Crackers
- Candy making items: chocolate chips, sprinkles, vanilla, corn syrup, nuts, evaporated milk
- Baking items: Baking powder, baking soda, flour, sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, Bisquick
- Holiday foods: gravy, broth, Stove Top Stuffing, canned onions, canned pumpkin (Be sure to check out my Pumpkin Recipes.)
- Fresh Pumpkins: Word has it that the severe flooding from September’s Hurricane Irene caused many pumpkin patches to be damaged or destroyed. Just know that this year’s pumpkin prices may be above average, and some reports say double last year’s prices. Because Americans tend to play with our food (LOL) be sure that your pumpkin is not a wasted expense. If you opt to paint or decorate rather than carve yours, in November you will be able to use your pumpkin in all kinds of recipes (like Cranberry Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, and Pumpkin Ravioli).
October In-Season Produce–Click on the links to go straight to great recipes!
- Apples (Find all my apple recipes here.)
- Broccoli — Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry, Broccoli Cheese Casserole,
- Brussel Sprouts
- Cabbage — Grilled Cabbage, Cabbage Salad with Apples and Ginger Vinaigrette, Cabbage Soup, Bierocks
- Chinese Cabbage
- Cauliflower — Roasted Cauliflower
- Celery Root
- Chicory
- Cranberries — Cranberry Pumpkin Bread, Tangy Quinoa Salad Recipe with Cranberries
- Cucumbers — Carrot Cucumber Ponzu Salad, Cucumber Salad, Cucumber Sandwich Spread and Dip
- Dates
- Fennel Grapes
- Greens — How to Cook Turnip Greens
- Head or Iceberg Lettuce — Lettuce Cups, BLT Salad with Homemade Buttermilk Dressing
- Leaf Lettuce
- Mushrooms
- Nuts — Quinoa Salad with Dried Fruit and Nuts
- Okra — Fried Okra
*Print out my full listing on my Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables Chart. (Post it as a reference on your refrigerator.)
National Sales Events
October is a month with lots of National Events going on. Be sure you keep your eyes open for sales that are promoting:
- Columbus Day
- Fire Prevention Week (10/5 – 10/11)
- National Apple Month
- National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- National Cookie Month
- National Pizza Month
- National Pretzel Month
- National Seafood Month
- National Animal Safety and Protection Month
Clearance Items
According to Deal News, look for great prices on the following this month:
- Denim
- Lingerie/intimate apparel
- Garden/patio items
Knowing that Black Friday is mere weeks away, the fewer new purchases you can make this month, the better. For example, while October is the fourth best month to purchase a new laptop (Source: Deal News), if you can hold out just a few more weeks, the real deals on electronics will begin hitting in November. Make the sales cycles work for you, and you’ll save big!
Do you have any tips or sales you look forward to in October? Share them in the comments below.
