When should I stock up? A Month-By-Month Guide

When should I stock up?

Here is a list to give you an idea of when you should be looking for the best price to stock up on certain items. 

January  

National Oatmeal Month: quick, old-fashioned, rolled, and steel-cut oats, ready to
 cook oatmeal packets

Diet Foods including: cereal, frozen entrees, meal and granola bars, 
diet shakes/ drinks, Healthy Choice, South Beach, Lean Cuisine, Special K, Kashi,
 Smart Start, 100 Calorie Packs, diet aids: shakes, weight scales, diet cookbooks, 
exercise equipment & weights

Organization aids– shelving, plastic tubs & containers, labels

Super Bowl Sunday: Soda, chips, dips, cheese, sandwich items, crackers, snacks, wings, cut fruit & veggie trays

Seasonal Produce: oranges, pears, grapefruit, tangerines, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chard, collards,
 kale, kiwi, avocado, cabbage, spinach

Clearance:  Christmas– decorations toys, lights, stocking stuffers, artificial trees, ornaments, wrapping paper, 
gift bows, New Year’s party supplies– noise makers, hats, party favors, wines & sparkling juices

Winter Health: cold medicines and vitamins, cough syrup

February

National Canned Food Month: canned fruit, vegetables, pie fillings, soups, meats:  
tuna, chicken, salmon

Super Bowl Sunday: Soda pop, chips, dips, cheese, sandwich items, crackers, snacks,
 wings, cut fruit & veggie trays

National Hot Breakfast Month: oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, frozen waffles, syrup, waffle & pancake mix, 
hash browns,  bacon, sausage

Valentine’s: boxed and bar chocolate, lubricants & KY jelly, perfume, cards, stuffed animals, gift sets, 
wine/ sparkling cider, flower arrangements, candles

Seasonal Produce: artichoke, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chard, collards, grapefruit, kale, 
oranges, parsnips, pears, potatoes, turnips

March  

Frozen Food Month: frozen meals and entrees, veggies, side dishes, 
desserts, juice concentrate
March Madness: soda pop, chips, dips, cheese, crackers, 

sandwich items, snacks, wings, cut fruit & veggie trays

St. Patrick’s Day: decorations, corned beef, cabbage, Irish soda bread

Clearance: winter clothing, snow shovels, ski and sledding equipment

Spring/ Easter: Decorations, baskets, candy, ham, eggs and egg dyeing kits, gift sets, dresses and accessories.

Seasonal Produce: artichoke, asparagus, avocado, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, grapefruit,
 grapes, lemon, lime, mushrooms, onions, peas, radish, rhubarb, spinach, strawberries

April

Easter:  ham, eggs, dyeing kits, stuffed animals, candy, chocolate, baskets, decorations

Baking supplies:  sugar, spices, baking mixes, flour, chocolate chips, refrigerated 
cookie dough

Earth Day: natural and organic foods and personal care products,
 reusable bags and water bottles, Energy Star appliances, CFL and LED lighting

Spring: gardening equipment and seeds, bird feeders, spring cleaning supplies, allergy medicine

Seasonal Produce: artichokes, asparagus, avocados, beets, broccoli, cabbages, carrots,
grapefruit, mushrooms, onions, peas, rhubarb, strawberries

Clearance:  After Easter sales are the time to stock up on decorations, baskets & grass, 
egg dyeing kits & stickers etc for the next year!

May

Cinco De Mayo: salsa, shredded cheese, tortillas, tortilla chips, 
canned & refried beans, shredded lettuce, pinatas & pinata fillers,
 frozen Mexican entrees & snacks (taquitos, mini tacos, chimichangas)

Mother’s Day: bouquets, gift sets, perfume, chocolate, photo frames and crafts, 
jewelry, candles

Memorial Day: BBQ sauce, ketchup, condiments, charcoal, salad dressing, potato chips, dips, paper plates,
 plastic utensils, sandwich fixings

Summer needs: insect repellant, sunscreen, outdoor furniture, shorts, sun hats, beach toys, bird feeders, 
lawn mowers, barbecues and grilling utensils

Gardening: plants, flowers, seeds, watering cans, plant food, soil, weed killers, mulch, compost buckets, water hoses

Seasonal Produce: artichokes, asparagus, avocado, beets, blackberries, carrots, corn, green beans, onions, 
peas in the pod, potatoes, raspberries, strawberries

June

National Dairy Month:  eggs, milk (free milk Catalina, wyb cereal), ice cream, 
cheese, butter, yogurt, Cool Whip, in-store dairy coupons or booklets

End of June is Fourth of July Sales: hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ sauce, ketchup, 
condiments, charcoal, salad dressing, potato chips, dips

Seasonal Produce: apricots, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cherries, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, 
grapes, honeydews, nectarines, peaches, potatoes, raspberries, red onions, summer squash, strawberries, 
sweet Vidalia onions, tomatoes, watermelons

July

National Ice Cream Month

More 4th of July BBQ Sales:  hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ sauce, ketchup, condiments, 
charcoal, salad dressing, potato chips, dips

End of July, Back to School Sales begin:  crayons, pencils, folders, binders

Seasonal Produce: Asian pears, Bartlett pears, green beans, blueberries, corn, cucumbers, eggplants,
 figs, garlic, grapes, nectarines, red onions, Valencia oranges, peaches, sweet bell peppers, plums, potatoes, 
summer squash, tomatoes, watermelon

August

 Back to school supplies: erasers, pens, crayons, paper, binders, backpacks, 
notebooks, markers, note cards

School lunch items: pudding cups, lunch meat, single serve juices, lunchables

Disinfectants:  Clorox and Lysol wipes & sprays

Seasonal Produce: Avocados, beans, berries, cherries, corn on the cob, cucumbers, eggplants, figs, 
seedless grapes, melons, onions, peaches, pears (Bartlett), peppers (sweet bell), plums, summer squash, 
tomatillos, and tomatoes

Clearance:  insect repellent, sunscreen, charcoal, swim suits, gardening supplies and seeds, fans, camping gear

September

Back to School Sales through Labor Day:  pens, pencils, paper (filler & printing), 
backpacks, erasers, folders, binders, dividers

Labor Day Sales: restaurants deals, shoe & apparel store weekend passes,
movie theater perks (free popcorn, soda, concession candy)

Diabetes awareness:  glucose meters, Glucerna cereal, diabetic care– socks,
 test strips, sugar free products, vitamins, weight scales

Seasonal Produce: apples, artichokes, beans, cucumbers, eggplant, grapes, onions, pears (Asian & Bartlett), 
peppers (bell and chili), squash, tomatillo, tomatoes

Clearance: camping gear, gardening supplies, bug spray, fans & air conditioners,
 BBQ supplies– grills, charcoal, lighters

October

Halloween: candy, costumes & accessories

Baking sales (mid-October to late December): canned pumpkin, 
evaporated milk, baking chips, pie crust (mix and ready-made frozen)

National Seafood Month: fish, shrimp, lobster, crab

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: promotions & deals featuring participating “pink” products

Adopt a Shelter-Dog Month: wet & dry dog food, dog toys & chews

Seasonal Produce: apples, artichokes, arugula, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, chard, 
cranberries, parsnip, pears, pomegranates, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, winter squash, turnips, yams

November

Baking goods: nuts, chocolate chips, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk,
 coconut, cake & brownie mixes, Chex cereal (for homemade Chex mix)

Canned foods: soup, broth, vegetables & fruits, spaghetti sauce

Holiday staples: turkey, canned pureed pumpkin, stuffing mix, boxed potatoes, gravy mixes, ready-to-bake rolls,
 frozen pies, cranberry sauce, gelatin, marshmallows

Seasonal Produce: apples, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, celery, cranberries, kiwis, 
lemons, oranges, pears (Anjou & Comice), potatoes, pumpkin, squash, yams

Halloween Clearance: The best time to stock up on things for the next year: door decorations, spider webs,
 candy bowls, yard & outdoor props, plates, cups, napkins & tablecloths, window clings, 
pumpkin carving kits, streamers, confetti, string lights, Halloween candy-alternatives to stretch next year’s candy bowl supply. Also party favors like: spider rings, erasers, plastic fangs, pencils, bookmarks, stickers, and bouncy balls.

Costumes: Generic items like witch hats, gloves, tiaras/ crowns, play swords, pet costumes, 
capes & cloaks, fangs, and fairy wings are best, 
especially when you have children whose preferences change year to year.

Black Friday/ Cyber Monday: Deep savings on doorbusters and advertised items ranging from clothing 
and toys to electronics and appliances. Research sales, make a list, and stick to it for the best results.

Seasonal clearance: rakes, outdoor furniture, bikes

December

Holiday Dinner:  egg nog, deli platters, instant potatoes, gravy mixes, Rhodes rolls, 
frozen pies, cranberry sauce, Jello, marshmallows

Baking: flour, sugar, butter, cream, cake mixes, brownie mixes, muffin mixes, 
breads, pie crusts, marshmallows, whipped cream

Canned foods: soup, broth, condensed milk, vegetables, fruits, spaghetti sauce

Clearance:  Buy all your Thanksgiving decorations, extra table settings, and turkey carving products now
 once they’re at least 50% off.