Steals And Deals For The Whole Year

I'm sure everyone has seen the show "Extreme Couponing" on TLC. If you haven't, I've added a clip from the show below. As a money saving diva, you may get hooked. I just thought I'd warn you ahead of time. Anyhow, I personally find it extremely difficult to fathom how to fit several thousand dollars worth of stockpiled goods in my two-bedroom condo. Not to mention the fact that the science behind extreme couponing is completely Greek to me. But I found some tips for shopping that help make some sense of it all. Things in the grocery store go on sale by seasons, and for the most part, the seasons make perfect sense. So if you pair your pile of coupons with the seasonal sales, you just may walk out of the grocery store with your wallet a little fuller than what you expected it to be. Can you say "extra shopping money"? So here what to stock up on, month by month:

January - Since everyone is on their New Years resolutions kick, and football season is coming to an end, here's what to stock up on.

• National Oatmeal Month - I mean, it IS the best way to start your morning.
• Diet Foods - Frozen dinners, 100 calorie snack packs, and yogurts are always on sale around this time to help you get your sexy back.
• Super Bowl Sunday - Sodas, chips, dip, wings, and all the other goodies you'll need to throw an excellent get together!
• Seasonal Produce - The following is in season, and you know how I feel about in season produce: Oranges, pears, grapefruit, tangerines, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chard, collards, kale, kiwi, avocado, cabbage, and spinach (we'll talk about the wonders of spinach in another post...)
• Clearance - Stock up on next year's Christmas supplies now. You could find them at up to 75% off!
• Winter Health - It's sniffle season, so get cold and flu medicine at a great price.

February

• National Canned Food Month - Getting things like canned fruits, veggies, meats and soups will help you make last minute, healthy meals in a flash after a long day.
• National Hot Breakfast Month - Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so in this blustery weather, it's nice to start it off with something warm in your belly, like oatmeal, Malt O Meal, frozen waffles, and breakfast sandwiches.
• Valentine's Day - Love is in the air! Trojans and lubricants are quite affordable for your steamy nights. And if you're a single gal like me, chocolate is a wonderful substitute lover. This is on sale, too.
• Chinese New Year - Celebrate by cooking up some Asian inspired meals with things like soy sauce, teriyaki, and noodles for a few dollars per serving!
• Seasonal Produce - In February, expect artichokes, asparagus, raspberries, potatoes and strawberries in season, along with all of January's fresh goodies.

March

• Frozen Food Month - Expect a lot of sale stickers in the frozen food aisle, which means a lot of cold hard cash for you!
• Seasonal Produce - With spring just around the corner, various citruses, like limes, lemons and oranges come into season, as do spring onions, peas, radishes and rhubarbs.

April

• Easter - Find wonderful deals on everything you need for Easter egg hunts and a delicious dinner.
• Earth Day - Be kind to the world and save money on energy saving light bulbs, reusable totes, and even your favorite organic products.

May

• Memorial Day - Get ready for the first BBQ of the year and prepare for those to come by stocking up on everything from charcoal to hot dogs to paper products and cutlery. Don't forget the sunscreen and bug repellant! They'll be on sale too!
• Cinco de Mayo - Viva Mexico! Prepare for your fiesta without spending mucho dinero.

June

• National Dairy Month - In celebration of this great month, moo-ve things around in your fridge and make way for some delicious savings in the dairy aisle.
• Pre-4th of July - June is also a great time to prepare for your next fantastic party.
• Seasonal Produce - This month, we start to see yummy veggies added to the produce section that is perfect for BBQs, like pears, grapes, oranges, peaches, watermelons, peppers, corn, cucumbers, eggplant and summer squash.

July

• National Ice Cream Month - Need I say more? There's no better way to cool off than with a bowl of ice cream in the middle of July.
• Pre-Back to School - School supply prices will start dropping mid-month. You may even be able to find folders, crayons, and pencils for as little as a penny!

August

• Back to School - Save on what goes in your little ones' lunch boxes (lunch meat, cereal, pudding cups, etc) so you can splurge on a little something nice for you!
• Disinfectant - On every kid's list is hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes. Help your kids' teachers keep the cooties out of your house and save a few dollars while you're at it.
• Clearance - Now that summertime has come to a close, prepare for next year and hit the clearance shelves.
• Seasonal Produce - Nothing says fall like apples! And they'll be very affordable this time of year.

September

• Baby Items - All the things you need for the tiny ones will have matching price tags.

October

• Halloween - Spooktacular savings all everything you need for the 31st, like candy and pumpkins.
• Pre-Bake Sale Season - Start acquiring all you'll need for next month's bake sales.
• Daylight Savings Time - In fall, we fall back an hour, and you'll find discounts on alarm clocks. As a reminder, change your smoke detector battery, which, by the way, will be on sale too.
• Adopt a Shelter Dog Month - Help a pup in need when you're picking up discounted goodies for your own furry friend and donate a bag of dog food.
• Seasonal Produce - I love produce in fall, like chestnuts, cranberries, parsnips, sweet potatoes, and squash.

November

• Hot Cocoa, Coffee, Tea - Baby, it's cold outside, so warm up from the inside out!
• Bake Sale Season - Now that bake sales are in full swing, you'll continue to see savings on all the things you'll need to make it a great success.
• Canned foods - Save on cans for yourself and, while you're at it, pick up some to donate.
• Thanksgiving - Prepare for the big feast, but you don't have to drain your wallet! You'll need the extra dough for Black Friday's sales.

December

• Holiday Dinner - For the last big feast the year, before we resolve to shed pounds, enjoy savings on everything you'll need to celebrate the season, right down to egg nog!
• Baking - Cookie swaps, anyone?

Hope this helps, super saving divas!

- The Sassy Gal