Thursday, August 11, 2011

Seasonal Shopping

I hope you've been taking advantage of the 'back to school' sales even if you don't have children at home. I wait until August to purchase my office supplies for the year when they are at their lowest. Did you know that there is a yearly list that shows what is on sale each month? If you know you'll be making certain purchases you'd be wise to wait until the month it goes on sale.

I normally wait and stock up on Christmas baking supplies in November right before Thanksgiving.  I also like to purchase a few extra hams at that time. I've waited to purchase sheets in January and buy next years Christmas wrapping supplies the day after Christmas at the dollar stores when they go on sale for .50 cents.


Planning ahead can save you a lot of money. What months do you stock up?

JANUARY
• After Christmas Sales
• White Sales (
sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and quilts)
• Sports and Weight Loss Equipment
• Computers
• Winter Apparel and Accessories 

(In years past, when I had more money, I would watch for Prime Rib right before New Year's Eve)

FEBRUARY
• Electronics, radios, C.D. players
• Floor Coverings
• Housewares, china, glassware,
• Furniture, rugs, mattresses, curtains
• Candy and Chocolates


MARCH
• Spring Apparel and Accessories, shoes
• Winter Sports Equipment, skates, ski equipment
• Gardening Supplies
• Luggage
• Frozen Food


APRIL
• Spring Apparel and Accessories, men's and boys suits
• Women and children's coats and hats
• Paint
• Wallpaper
• Jewish Foods and Eggs,


MAY
• White Sale - Linens and Towels
• Spring Cleaning Supplies
• Auto Maintenance
• Home Maintenance
• Sodas, Hotdogs, Hamburger Meat, Condiments 



JUNE
• Summer Apparel and Accessories
• Pianos
• Television Sets, refrigerators
• Building Materials. lumber and Hardware
• Dairy Products


JULY
• Air Conditioners, home appliances, radios and stereo equipment
• Summer Sports Equipment
• Sportswear, bathing suits, lingerie
• Craft Supplies
• Sodas, Hotdogs, Hamburger Meat, Condiments 


AUGUST
• White Sale - Linen and Towels
• BBQ and Patio Equipment
• Back to School Supplies
• Bathing Suits
• Fresh Fish and Vegetables

SEPTEMBER
• Back to School Supplies and children's clothing
• Gardening Supplies
• Housewares, dishes, glassware, lamps, paints, rugs and carpet
• Bicycles
• Canned Goods 


OCTOBER
• Cars
• Houses
• Fishing Equipment
• Crystal, Silver, and Glassware
• Candy
 

NOVEMBER
• Winter Apparel and Accessories, shoes
• Quilts and Blankets
• Heating Devices, water heaters

• Turkey, Sweet Potatoes, Baking Goods


DECEMBER
• Toys
• Gift Items
• Partyware
• Post-Holiday Sales
• Party Foods, Baking Goods, and Various Meats 



 Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. Proverbs 21:20

18 comments:

  1. It's a good tip to wait for sales before buying. These days I never buy things at their regular prices. I no longer need most of the items on your list but I do wait until January for whites (linens) and until the end of the 4 seasons to buy my clothing. I stopped buying gifts for people but for the odd occasion I need a gift, I go to the dollar store for the wrapping I need. I no longer keep a box or two of wrapping paper and cards for the day when I might need it. For big ticket items like washer/dryer, dishwasher etc. those seem to go on sale here several times a year so the wait isn't too long. The problem is finding what you want at the right price.

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  2. @Joyful: How does it work not buying gifts? I have quite a few grandchildren that I can't imagine not buying for. How does it work for you?

    We live in such a small space that I don't buy most of the items on the list either. :-)

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  3. Good to see you this morning!

    We don't buy gifts, either. My mom just had to buy a car, so we have insisted she not buy any, either. There just isn't any room in the budget. Right now we all have to save for medical deductibles. If we max out, we'll be in a never ending cycle.

    I hope the seasonal sales will be better this fall, but last year they were almost nonexistent here. The previous year I stocked up on baking supplies, but this past year the sales were barely sales at all.

    We're about to settle down from our move, so we are having to take real hard looks at what we need and what we want and how to budget for the necessities. Best wishes, Liz

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  4. That is a great list. Thanks so much for posting it. I've printed it out and have it on my computer hutch.

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  5. Thank you so much for sharing "the list". I am going to write it in my budget book.
    I give very few gifts and try to give practical items (especially those that are consumable)when I do. My daughter got a nice set of jumper cables for Christmas last year. She was delighted.
    Years ago, I cut my Christmas list to the bone. Family members didn't like it much, but I figured they would get used to it and they have. The ones I do give gifts to receive things like homemade bread, pancake mix and preserves.
    Thanks for a great post........Denise

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  6. That's a great list. I saw it years ago and am glad to have it again. Yes, I too buy school supplies at this time, although my children are grown. I like to pick up spiral notebooks for my grocery shopping lists, pens, index cards, and pocket folders. This year I bought extra spirals for my budding artist, my two-year old granddaughter.

    We have trimmed our gift list down to just our immediate family and my mom. It's hard not to buy gifts for three little granddaughters! I am always looking for sales, though, and good deals. I often find unmarked children's books in perfect shape at garage sales that I use as gifts. The craft store, Michaels, does have a small toy section as well as many art and craft supplies. If I use their 40% off coupon from the weekend paper, it helps a lot! One of my sons-in-law always gets a huge, heavy pan of my homemade lasagna for his birthday. It's always a hit.

    I'm so glad I found your blog. I do think many people out there do not understand the employment problems that many people face today, especially older people. There is a certain judgment that they should be able to "fix" this. It's not that simple, and besides, God has HIS plans!

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  7. I'm in the same group I think as most everyone here. We do not buy many gifts. I think spending time together and having quality time is a gift. I think days like Mother's Day, etc. don't mean so much because honestly, we should all be loving our mothers throughout the year. Holidays pad the pockets of people like Hallmark and retailers.

    As far as Christmas, it is immediate family only. I do not buy for my siblings and their spouses, nieces and nephews. Some of these children have more than they could ever need already. This year will be even more simple with the holidays. My husband's pay is less now for several reasons, and we just can't afford to spend on things that are more wants.

    We are focusing on having enough to get through the winter, including expensive heating bills. The only things I can say I buy from your list would be things like food items that are rock-bottom prices. We have everything we need and a little more too. :) (Now I must go eat my homemade foccacia bread with veggies, made in my little convection oven. Divine!)

    Lyn

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  8. Grrr.... I'm feeling so guilty.... I should try harder and be more organized about my shopping. Your list is wonderful..... I'll copy it and try to do better....Seems like I'm always in a rush and I don't take the time to shop properly....
    Thanks for this good list.....

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  9. Great list!! I'm saving my pennies for gardening supplies next month! :)

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  10. Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my blog. You asked about types of gifts to give to men. Funny thing, I realized that my husband and son are the only "men" on my list.
    In the past I have given gifts to my husband's uncle when he was visiting. Food gifts seemed to work well, like nuts, trail mix, even various types of breads. One year I found a container of various sizes of bungie cords for him on sale. We've given him inexpensive work gloves or a $5 Wal-mart movie. One could even make a "movie kit" for a man containing an inexpensive popcorn bowl, a $5 movie and a box of microwave popcorn.
    I hope these ideas are helpful to you.........Denise

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  11. I hardly stock up on anything except a little food in season. We live in a postage-stamp-of-a-house so even that is very limited. I do need gifts however and watch for sales and discounted items or (for very special people) make my own.I also get gifts at (gasp) thrift stores and yard sales. Its hard living in a materialistic world on a realistic budget. ---www.innacanoe.com

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  12. @innacanoe.. The link to your homepage does not work. Can you correct it?

    Did you move?

    We live in less than 300 sq. ft. so I am not able to stock up either. Right now I'm trying to figure out where to store Christmas gifts that I'm picking up early. I don't want them in the garage.

    I've missed hearing from you. Please contact me.

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  13. I got both your messages on my site about a template for grocery prices and shopping lists. I commented on the first one. I have talked about tracking grocery prices, but I don't have a template. I'm not sure what site you saw that on, but it sounds interesting.

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  14. Sorry about giving the wrong web address to my blog. Its www.innacanoe/xanga.com. I haven't posted in at least a year so I shouldn't even be directing folks over there. However, anyone's welcome to look around at the old scenery. It was my daily stompin' grounds at one time. Then I lost my internet connection and that was almost the end of that. I'm only on a Smart Phone now.

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  15. Good post! But I am wondering if stores are breaking the rules, so to speak, with people buying less, offering more sales than usual? Or does it just seem that way!

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  16. @podso.... hmm... I hadn't thought about it but now that you mention it there does seem to be A LOT of sales this month. It has worked in my advantage. I received several $10-$15 coupons from JCPenney and used them towards Christmas gifts. I hate started so early but it's the only way I can get a little something for my family.

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  17. Great post!
    I am not buying as much of school supplies anymore. I did stock up this month on some tape and notebooks--tape for shipping my boxes of things I've sold. I had coupons and my grocery store had them on boGo so I got a good deal. Gifts--I actually buy a little more now than I used to. I still make some, but now I have begun to buy clothes and gift cards for our grown kids the younger ones are still getting on their feet so it helps out. And now I have 2 grand children--so we can't not buy a bit for them. :)Since ours all live far--I like to buy toys on amazon and they wrap them and ship to wherever we are doing christmas so i don't have to fit them in car or airplane. :)

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  18. @Pokeberry Mary... You've given me a GREAT idea. I have a lot of Swagbucks I wanted to spend for Christmas but they have discontinued the Target giftcards (which I had planned on using for Christmas gifts) but they still offer Amazon gift cards which I could use for toys. Thanks Mary!

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