(This article pertains primarily to those who live in the USA. However, below it you will find a web link to an additional article that approaches this subject from a different perspective, which applies to those outside of the United States as well.)

If you want to slash your food budget, learn the law of supply and demand. Shop for groceries when they’re in season. Because the supply of a product might outweigh the demand, prices drop when markets have an abundance of certain foods.

“Seasonal” doesn’t always refer to harvest. Holidays and life cycles also have an effect on prices. For instance, when children go back to school, you may see a jump in the price bf bananas because bananas are a lunch box staple.

Retail Dateline: A friend who runs several hundred miles each year goes through several pairs of running shoes. When he finds his shoes for less than half off, he purchases two pairs and puts one in his closet… that is a savvy consumer. He knows when to find shoes on sale because he knows the retail dateline.

Want a general guideline to the dateline in purchasing clothes? Start watching for spring clothing closeouts around the last week in April. Watch for any holdover spring, as well as all summer clothing, to close out around the last week in July. Most fall and all back-to-school clothes should close out around the end of October, and winter clothe and the holiday season get slashed around the end of January.

Note to Keep in Mind: A good department store will be out of seasonal merchandise at the peak of the season. If you wait until out-of-stock price slashing, the nice selection will be long gone. However, retailer dramatically reduce prices on goods that have lingered beyond the peak selling period.

So, with all of this in mind, here is a Seasonal Shopping Sales Guide to help you better keep within your budget:

January:

• Food: Standing ribs, steaks, chicken, pork, grapefruit, party foods.
• Other: Amazing sales due to holiday excess.

February:

• Food: Steaks, citrus, young turkeys.
• Other: Furniture, home furnishings, lease-return cars, audio-visual equipment, men’s apparel, air conditioners. Also, watch for Valentine’s Day and President’s Day sales.

March:

• Food: Corned beef, cabbage, fresh fish. Pay attention: many markets increase cost on some produce because supplies diminish.
• Other: Garden supplies, winter sports equipment, laundry detergent, infant wear.

April:

• Food: Mexican foods (last week of month), ham, eggs
• Other: White sales (linens and tablecloths), TV or VCR, hosiery, painting supplies, stoves, lingerie, cleaning products, off-season rates at some resorts.

May:

• Food: Mexican food (first week), roasts, asparagus, strawberries, Texas onions.
• Other: Baskets, clocks, knives, silverware, musical equipment, power tools, small appliances, luggage.

June:

• Food: Beginning of hot-dog wars, early melons, corn, picnic food, ketchup.
• Other: Charcoal, paper plates

July:

• Food: Fourth of July specials, hamburger, corn, bell peppers.
• Other: Beachwear, fabric, fuel, men’s shoes and shirts.

August:

• Food: Produce, marshmallows (think popcorn balls at Christmas)
• Other: Sports equipment, garden furniture, nursery plants (trees and perennials).

September:

• Food: Apples, winter squash, end of barbecue and picnic season.
• Other: Paint, school supplies, office supplies. Buy Christmas and birthday presents at summer closeouts. Watch for car clearances. The best time to buy a car is at the end of a month.

October:

• Food: Candy sales end of month, baking supplies, apples, hard-skinned squash.
• Other: White sales, tire wars, camping gear.

November:

• Food: Baking supplies, cranberries (can be frozen right in the bag for future muffins). Watch for sales around Thanksgiving.
• Other: Watch for Veteran’s Day sales. The day after Thanksgiving is notorious as the busiest shopping day of the year—watch for early-bird sales.

December:

• Food: Baking supplies, nuts, bananas, boneless chuck, potatoes, yams.
• Other: Coats, children’s wear, power tools, blankets and quilts. Watch for phenomenal sales between Christmas and New Year’s, as well as throughout the month. Early in the month, thrift stores display ornaments, toys, sleds, winter wear, skis and skates. The good selection goes fast.

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The above article came from the book, LIVING WELL ON ONE INCOME In a Two-Income World -By Cynthia Yates, published in 2003 by Harvest House Publishers www.harvesthousepublishers.com. This book can be considered to be your own seminar—in the privacy of your own home. Cynthia Yates shares her method for living satisfactorily on any income and leads you to the start of a new path, one that will guide you as you journey towards living well on one income, toward living with compassion for others, and at all times living to the glory of God.

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To read an additional article on this subject from a different perspective, which is posted on the web site for Marriage Partnership Magazine, please click onto the link below: 

• WHEN TWO BECOME ONE: Living on One Income

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