Being frugal doesn’t mean that you have to hole yourself up in a bunker somewhere and cut the outside world off, using only sticks and mud to meet your basic needs. It really is about getting your money to stretch as far as possible. I mean, when it really comes down to it, your money is a representation of your time–time you might have rather spent with your kids, or traveling, or {insert favorite past time here}, so just giving it away is like not respecting your own time.
Shopping smart is one way to get the almighty dollar to stretch far enough to help you live within your means…hopefully with a little extra jingle in your pocket. Timing your purchases around yearly sales is one of the ways I try to shop smart. Sometimes, that means going without until the price is the best, other times, it means stocking up early, so when I do need it, I paid a reasonable price. Either way, shelling out extra cash in an impulsive moment for something you can get at a fraction of the cost is just crazy talk.
Knowing what’s on sale, what’s in season, and what you should be able to find on clearance each month really helps you plan. How do you know? That’s why you have me…
Promotions and Holidays in February
February is National Canned Food Month {I am pretty sure all of these national food celebrations are cooked up to sell more product, but who cares, because it means sales}. Look for all things canned to be on sale.
Valentine’s Day is also this month–look for sales on flowers {though, they are usually grossly inflated, candy, lingerie and, ahem, KY jelly and condoms {I don’t make the sales, I just report them, people}. Chinese food items will be on sale in preparation for the Chinese New Year. Super Bowl Sunday falls in February from time to time {as it does this year}, so look for frozen pizzas, snack items, crackers, veggie trays, beer, soda, etc. to be on sale.
National Hot Breakfast Month falls in February {poor canned food month has to share}, so look for more deals on oatmeal, frozen waffles, pancakes and strudel, bacon, hashbrowns, and sausage.
Seasonal Fruit and Vegetable You Will Typically Find on Sale in February
You may find sales on broccoli, potatoes, cauliflower, oranges {of every shape and size}, grapefruits, artichokes, avocados {especially around Super Bowl Sunday}, carrots, spinach, greens, cabbage, kiwi, lemons, papayas, sweet potatoes, pears, leeks and lemons this month.
Annual Sales and Deals You Can Expect in February
February is a big month for sales on electronics. Maybe it’s the idea that you can watch the Super Bowl on a new 1,000 in. television {okay, that might be exaggerated, but seriously, they get bigger every year} or maybe it’s capitalizing on the loooong boring days of winter that lie ahead?
Clearance Items to Be On the Lookout For in February
After February 14th, make sure to show yourself a little love and scoop up some extra clearance chocolate. Excess exercise equipment leftover from the January sales may begin going on clearance this month too. Now is a good time to get winter coats for the family for next year, as most stores will be making room for spring break clothing.
Now go forth and save.
~Mavis
Deborah from FL says
I enjoy reading these monthly savings guides. Really useful, even at my age. Ha! Thanks! 🙂
GardenNut says
Sure, mini-oranges and grapefruits are in season… they were also grown in oil-industry waste water this year down in droughty California.
http://www.theorganicprepper.ca/are-these-companies-growing-produce-with-oil-industry-waste-water-01312016
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-drought-oil-water-20150503-story.html
http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_views/supply_chain/hannah_furlong/35k_californians_boycotting_produce_grown_oil_wastewater
Acetone, it does a body good.