Memorial Day, Father’s Day, The Fourth & Labor Day

Starting a week or two before Memorial Day (when summer “unofficially” starts up to Labor Day, which signifies the end of summer’s casual fun, you’ll see grocery stores responding to each holiday in turn with sales.

As far as saving at the grocery store during any of the summer holidays, you’ll see many of the same things on sale, with just a few exceptions, whether you’re talking Memorial Day, Father’s Day, The Fourth, or Labor Day.

Before we proceed: Long post alert! I promised you years ago I would never write incomplete cutesy articles that only give you breezy easy answers or worse, make you click and click to get the information you need. So fair warning! And FYI: You’ll find links at the bottom of the page for other holidays.

Whether or not you celebrate any of the summer holidays, it’s wise to be aware of what kind of items might be on sale, which might be at their rock bottom pricing, and when to stock up and to take advantage of the sales.

Once the end of summer comes, you’ll see some items become scarce or non-existent at the store, and other items priced much higher as we transition into fall and winter with their own cycle of sale items. You won’t want to miss out on some of these summer sales – especially on items that are going to carry you through the year. (Yep, I said year!)

The ad at one of my local stores.

The competition for your food dollar before any holiday is high. Those clever grocers want to lure you to their store in the weeks prior with a few rock-bottom sale prices. Their hope is you’ll buy a couple of sales-priced items as well as everything else you need for the holiday and for the week.

Their reasoning (and maybe yours) is that you are already spending more than usual on groceries since there’s a holiday. Grocers are betting that you won’t be spending extra $$ shopping around stocking up on sale items.

The grocers may be right. Spending extra money on bargains might very well be the last thing on your mind when the holiday is costing you extra, already – but it should be at the forefront. Always remember, one of the 12 Strategies is to always Buy Low.

Shift your mind to open up to the possibility that you can come out financially ahead if you’re in the know. Shop around in the weeks before a holiday and focus on cherry-picking the best sales, and check the ads for multiple stores. Buy what you need for the holiday but also pick up extra groceries at rock-bottom sales prices to stash for the next few weeks or months, and beyond.

If you know what to look for and have an idea of when those items might be on sale again, you can stock up appropriately. That’s shopping for the win! (If you’re a couponer, producers will glut the market with coupons (electronic & paper), and combined with sale prices and store coupons this can make for an even sweeter deal.)

Here’s what to look for on sale during the Summer Holidays! Keep in mind that some stores (most ads come out on Sundays or Wednesdays) will pull out a “Hail Mary” and toss out a last-minute ad right before the holiday. If you’re on a budget, setting aside a little extra for that sale might pay off.

Playing the “grocery market” is like playing the stock market; these are my picks and best advice; your good judgment should prevail.

You’re going to find a variety of meats, both fresh and frozen (frozen will be covered in its own section) as well as already-prepared options ready to heat before every summer holiday. Pretty much everything and anything you can grill or smoke will be at a great price. Some of this might vary by region but there will be plenty of options to satisfy almost anyone.

Know that many “Prepared” or “Heat and Eat” options may be on sale but will cost more than if you make a similar item at home. Do whatcha have to, but if you’re going to buy, at least buy them at a low.

Pork Items:

Usually, pork is at its low during the fall and around any holiday where ham is often featured: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Easter, and Mother’s Day. Summer sales are still very competitive. Watch for the following items.

Ribs: They’re a big sale item and will be on sale at rock-bottom pricing. If you love ribs and have room (they’re bulky) in your freezer, stock up at a low. Usually sealed in heavy plastic, ribs keep well but if space is at a premium, they can be trimmed to St. Louis style to save room (see instructions on my “Competition Ribs“) and rewrapped carefully. Precooked ready-to-heat ribs are going to be at a low as well but still priced much higher than raw ribs.
Pork Butt or Shoulder: (and sometimes loin or tenderloin) You may find good prices on these items but seldom are they at the rock-bottom prices seen in the fall or around the “Ham holidays.” Stocking up should depend on how much you will use, whether you have any on hand, and what kind of space you have available. Know your pricing and know in a few short months, you’ll see the fall lows on these products. Buy accordingly.
Smoked Sausages: There are multiple varieties. Link sausages, especially brats, as well as hot dogs, will be at a great price, possibly rock bottom. Rope sausages (think smoked sausage, kielbasa, andouille, etc.), as well as slice-and-serve sausages (like summer sausage), will also be on sale. Buy if the price is great. If the items are in large packaging, break down into sizes your family will need and freeze.
Bacon and Breakfast Sausage (as well as bulk varieties): All will be on sale before any holiday. Watch for store specials and store coupons. Get in the habit of picking up several packages when you see them at a low, just enough to last to the next holiday. Both freeze well, although sausages have a more limited shelf life; plan on indefinitely for bacon but about 3 to 6 months for the sausage unless it’s in a deep freeze.

Where’s The Beef:

Pretty much anything that can be grilled or smoked will be at great sale price before a summer holiday. It’s worth noting that the cheaper roasts and large cuts, like cuts from the round or chuck roasts, will be a little more scarce and/or on sale less often during the summer – so many of those cuts are utilized for the high demand for ground beef.

Brisket: Brisket will be at a great price before a summer holiday, although in many areas it can be hard to find and pricey, regardless of whether there’s a holiday or not. You may also find brisket on sale in response to the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah, Passover, and Hanukkah although this varies by region. Trim & carve brisket before freezing to save space and for easier thawing.
Ground Beef: is going to be at super-sale prices, different percentages in different sales leading up to almost any summer holiday. If you aren’t particular about the percentage you’ll have more opportunities for sale pricing.
Premade burgers, both fresh and frozen will be an item. The pricing per pound is never as low as ground beef of the same percentage on sale, the quality is usually never as good. They just aren’t a good value, but I get they’re easy & pre-portioned. Stock up now while they’re at a low if you use them.
Premium already “mixed up” burgers filled with cheese and so on are often at a low around the summer holidays. There is no doubt they’re delish but not a great value, even on sale. Consider mixing up your own.
Usually, there will be a steak or two at a great price although the time of the year to stock up is between Christmas and New Year’s. The biggest exception to this “rule” is flank and skirt which might be at a great price.

Chicken & Poultry:

In my area, I don’t see chicken on sale so much triggered by summer holidays, although breasts, thighs, and leg/leg quarters usually do go on sale sporadically throughout the summer. Watch for most cuts of chicken to go on sale at a rock bottom price about once a quarter.

Keep an eye out for wings, especially, which can be pricey per pound compared to other chicken parts. Grab them if you see them at a low.
Items like chicken tenders and nuggets (see frozen, too) are big sellers before any holiday. Know your prices, highs and lows, and stock up if it’s a great sale, especially if you serve them regularly. These are items that are usually much cheaper if made at home rather than bought frozen.

Fish & Seafood:

Usually, every holiday will have at least some frozen and/or fresh Shrimp & Salmon on sale. Generally, the prices aren’t at a low.

Keep an eye out for sale priced items but now the best pricing on most fish and seafood is during Lent and again prior to Christmas and New Years Day.
Although rock bottom prices are during Lent, you may see canned tuna on sale. If you’re not stocked up, consider adding it to your pantry if the price is great.
There may be “surprise” sales on unexpected items. Keep your eyes open, and know that sales like this can vary by location, especially in coastal areas.

There is never a better time to stock up on condiments, although you may see some on sale around other holidays, especially the Superbowl. Really, you should be buying most condiments for the year during the summer and the prices are usually at their lowest before a holiday. If you’re a couponer, electronic or paper, you might pick up many of your condiments for pennies.

Basic Condiments:

Watch for sales on Ketchup, Mustard, Mayonaisse, Pickles, Pickle Relish, Hot Sauces, Barbecue Sauce, & Worcestershire Sauce as well as others.
You will always find the best pricing on these items during Summer, usually around the Holiday Sales.

Salad Dressings:

It’s almost always cheaper to make your own additive-free salad dressings but if you use, Salad dressings are usually on sale before any holiday but generally lowest during the summer.
It pays to stock up for the year if you see rock bottom prices.

Packets & Mixes:

Although not really “condiments” you might see dip mixes, chili & taco packets on sale.
If you use these items, stock up in limited quantity, since you’ll see them often on sale. The dip mixes will likely be at a low. Hint: Making things from scratch is easy & so much cheaper.

Cheeses:

Packaged Grocery Cheese of all types will be on sale.
Watch for the rock bottom pricing in your area and pick up in quantity when you see great prices. Hint: Keep an eye on the ounces in each package. Shredded, sliced, and grated may contain different amounts.

Velveeta & American:

Both the store brands and name brand, in blocks and slices, will likely be on sale, probably rock bottom for the year before any summer holiday.
If you use, look for coupons on Velveeta and stock up heavily if it’s at a great price. In my area, grocery store cheese at a low is about $1.99 for 8 ounces, $4.00 a pound. Compare the pricing of Velveeta by dividing the price in half; if it’s more than $4.00 real cheese is a better value.

Cheese Curds:

While cheese curds may be on sale, probably at rock bottom pricing the value might not be great.
Buy if you need but do watch the per pound pricing; substitute with other cheese if possible. Keep in mind the $4.00 per pound sale price on block cheese.

Prepared Items:

Sides like Baked Beans, Potato salad, Cole Slaw, Macaroni or other Pasta Salad, appetizers like Wings, Spinach Artichoke, Buffalo Chicken, Asian, Guacamole, Hummus, Pimento Cheese and any trays of food like deli cheese trays, maybe fried chicken and prepared subs are all going to be on sale.
Don’t fall for it; while these aren’t ever “stock up” items, I gotta mention how pricey they are. If you’re on a budget, avoid them like the plague & figure out how to make them at home.

Dairy Items:

It’s likely Sour Cream, Cream Cheese, and Whipping Cream will all be on sale before every summer holiday. Butter will usually be on sale, but not at the rock bottom prices you’ll see before Easter and during the winter holidays.
Buy, if you need, in enough quantity to last until the next holiday. All have long shelf life in the fridge; freeze the butter. Check Aldi for all these items; they may be less than the grocery store sales price.
Canned Whipped Cream: Note that the amount of whipped cream in a can is minuscule compared to what you can make yourself from a carton; you might need it, but it’s generally not the best value.

Lunch Meats:

Lunchmeat may be on sale in the deli and refrigerator case. Use your best judgment; know your pricing and if it’s low enough you might want to stock up but keep in mind once frozen, lunch meat can be “wet” when it’s thawed.
Honestly, I so rarely buy; even on sale for the same per pound price, I can buy a sales price roast, steak, or salmon so it doesn’t qualify as a good buy for me. I get though, it’s easy to “stretch” in sandwiches.

King’s Hawaiian:

This specialty bread will likely be at a great price.
If you use regularly or plan on using in the near future, check for coupons and buy. Chuck it in the freezer. It will likely be on sale during any holiday sale.

Any kind of junk food might be on sale but particularly potato chips during the summer. Junk food is pricey, even on sale and dollar for dollar, we Americans spend more on junk food than almost anything else other than prepared items. There is a reason packages don’t come in “pounds” and that’s because it would too easy to compare to other foods.

I don’t know of anyone who “stocks” up on junk food. Maybe we don’t admit we indulge enough to plan for it, or maybe we hope that we won’t indulge. Some are bulky and can be tempting, so it might not be easy to store. Some typical junk food is covered in Frozen Foods. Here I’m talking bagged, boxed, canned, and jarred.

Breakfast Cereal:

Many holidays have good sales prices on cereal, name brand or generic.
Buy it if you use it and need it, enough to wait out the next great sale. If you keep it on hand, you probably already know the score: The best sales “pop up” sporadically and are often clustered in grocery ads, buy so many get $ back. Apply coupons (there are always coupons online, at producer’s sites & paper) for rock bottom prices. Generally, these sales are cheaper than generic or store brands and/or holiday sales.

Bagged Chips, Pretzels & Such:

Most of these items will be on sale during the weeks leading up to a holiday.
These are usually on sale during every holiday. If they are a regular item at your house and you have the ability to ration them out, buy extra.

Crackers & Cookies:

Both will likely be on sale, especially crackers of all sorts and during the summer holidays, you’ll see the best pricing on graham crackers.
Stock up if the sales are great, in enough quantity to get you to the next holiday. If you’re a baker compare the price of boxed, prepared graham crackers to whole ones. It’s likely your best deal will be sales priced graham crackers. Watch for sales on all of these items that are grouped, buy so many to get the best price.

Salsa, Bean Dip, Cheese & Queso Sauces:

Many of these will be at good pricing but usually around the Superbowl or Cinco de Mayo will be your best bet to stock up.
Stock up if you use them, but only in enough quantity to last until the next holiday. Homemade versions always cost less.

Nuts:

You’ll likely see some bagged and jarred nuts and mixes on sale. Know your pricing and whether or not they are a good deal.
Generally jarred nuts are not the best bargain, although tasty. They may be bought to be set out for snacking but often used in recipes like the famous Chex mix. Consider instead looking for better bargains in the bagged nuts.

Marshmallows & Chocolate Candy Bars:

You’ll probably never find a better deal on marshmallows and Hershey candy bars than before a summer holiday.
Watch for them on sale individually and grouped, sometimes with graham crackers. Crunch the numbers, compare sale prices across stores.

It never hurts to check your store’s bakery as well as the bread aisle. Often your bakery will beat out the larger producer’s items you’ll find in the bread aisle.

Buns:

You are likely to find buns galore on sale, brat & hot dog, burger, slider buns.
Generally, these are at rock bottom pricing but many go on sale often. You might pick up a few and freeze short term for family dinners. Check both the aisle and the bakery.
Hawaiian rolls are under Deli & Dairy.

Brownies, Bars, Baked Items:

They will be on sale, but many rotate in and out of sale regularly.
There is no doubt people buy these. My recommendation, budget-wise? Even on sale avoid like the plague.

While Condiments & Junk Food are listed elsewhere, here are some of the things to watch for and stock up on if the price is great.

Canned Beans:

Look for Baked Beans, Chili Beans, Kidney Beans, Refried Beans, and others all at a great price. The best pricing is shortly after harvest, late summer, when the warehouses are full.
It’s likely that some of these will be on sale throughout the year; you’ll often see some types on sale around the Superbowl, March Madness, and others on sale for Cinco de Mayo, but Baked Beans are usually at a low during the summer holidays.
Stock up on any that are at a fabulous price, in enough quantity to last to the next sale or until summer is at its peak and the warehouses are full.
Dried beans are always cheaper but canned beans usually won’t break the bank.

Sloppy Joes & Canned Chili:

Items like the Canned Chili (beans or no beans) may be priced at a low, although usually, they’re lower during the big sales for sporting events, like the Superbowl and March madness.
If you use these (I am all of a sudden craving Chili Dogs and everything will be on sale) stock up if the price is right; figure out how much you’ll use and buy appropriately. Hint: Sloppy Joes are pretty easy to make homemade w/o cans or packets.

Cream of Soups:

Cream of Soups will likely be on sale.
The price will likely be good, not great. Buy what you need on sale keeping in mind better pricing will be around Easter, with many sales around holidays, especially the winter ones.

Canned Tomatoes:

You might find various tomato products on sale.
Pick up what you need for the next few weeks if the price is great. The prices will not generally be rock bottom, but sales are sporadic and unpredictable. These are an item I pick up throughout the year when I see rock bottom pricing, keeping my pantry stocked.

There will be deals galore on all kinds of junk food around any holiday. If you’re into it, stock your freezer. Hold off on fish and seafood for the better sales during Lent and only stock up on chicken products like nuggets and tenders if they’re rock bottom. Some of the best pricing and the time to stock your freezer is after Easter when there is no longer need for so many of the layers.

Cherry-pick other sales for items you like; so many are on sale, too many to list, and it’s best to buy at a low rather than pay through the nose later! Don’t pass on the pizza, meatballs and chicken wings if you use these items!

Pizza:

The pricing will likely be great around any holiday, but will go on sale regularly.
If you eat it, know your prices and stock up only when its at rock bottom. Look for coupons for an even better deal, if sold out, ask for rainchecks.

Ice Cream (and related products):

If you love ice cream and related products, toppings, and so on, they are usually at great prices.
If it’s a regular item at your house it might be worth buying a little extra; it will be on sale prior to almost any holiday and regularly throughout the year.

Several Fruits & Veggies are almost always on sale around any holiday and some are pretty much always going to be on sale during Summer holidays. Keep seasonality in mind. The early holidays may have a lot of seasonal items but they won’t be local and many may not even be from the States. In the past, they were often not worth buying but the food chain has improved.

Watch for artichokes and asparagus at the some of the best pricing of the year right before Memorial Day.
Look for Avocados & Tomatoes before any Summer holiday and pick up in various stages of ripeness.
All kinds of peppers will be on sale and last for a week or so. Pick up a couple of extra if they are at a low. Have stuffed peppers. Roast and freeze all kinds if the price is great.
Mushrooms are likely on sale; buy extra, turn the package upside down to store and poke several holes in the bottom.
Green Onion are on a low almost any holiday. Don’t forget to stick the ends in water or dirt and regrow.
Carrots, Celery, Cabbage store well for a couple of weeks. Pick up if at a great price. Close up the end of the celery package and it will last longer.
Lemons and limes may be at a low and last for a couple of weeks if kept out of moisture.
Corn will likely be at a low during all summer holidays. Check for freshness; there’s no need to open corn, look at the outside for holes, the tassels should hopefully still be yellowish tinged with brown and then press your finger across the top inch and a half. You’ll feel if the corn is full. Best pricing for corn is usually late summer when it is in season.
Melons, including watermelon, won’t be in season until late summer but you’ll likely see them dropping in price and on special around any summer holiday.
Berries of all kinds will be on sale just before the holidays. They might not be in season but watch the price and if you want them, go for it. The quality of out of season berries has increased a lot.

Salads & Salad Items & all kinds of Slaw Mixes:

Prepared salad and slaw mixes will be on sale, but still, likely cost more than if you buy the veggies and prepare yourself:

These items are often on sale in the week prior to any holiday.
Even on sale they are often 4 to 10 times the cost of making your own. If you use, sturdy ones might last into the next week.

You’re also likely to see many different lettuces, spinach, etc., and items often used for salads on sale.

Let the sales be your guide and watch the pricing.

Fruit & Veggie Trays:

These will be on sale, but still likely cost more than if you buy the veggies and/or fruit and prepare yourself:

A whole array of these may be on sale.
Frankly, I’m only mentioning here (because you can’t really “stock up”) because they are such a horrendous value. Avoid them like the plague!

Most beverages are really a probably really unnecessary, but what a difference they can make in your life! Most canned and bottled will be at a fabulous price before any holiday. Stock up in quantities to last until the next holiday.

Pop or Soda:

Often on sale at rock bottom (1/2 off) prices; there may be a quantity limited notation.
Buy, buy, buy. Go back multiple times to the store, especially if you drink often if there is a limit. Know how much you drink and buy in quantities to last until the next holiday. Get rain checks if needed. Cans at rock bottom will always be less than rock bottom pricing on any bottles, including liters and two liters even when sale priced.

Beer, Ciders, Etc.

Many of these items will be at rock bottom around any holiday, some of which are more seasonal or tied to specific holidays will only be at rock bottom during specific holidays.
Sales prices will be from 1/3 to 1/2 off, and it’s likely that your favorite brand will be on sale at some point, somewhere, during holiday sales but not being brand loyal will give you more opportunities for saving. Stock up. Learn how to store and for how long on this excellent article by Eat by Date. You can count on some sales during March Madness, then Easter, but the Summer Holidays will have great pricing, too.

Hard Liquor:

You’ll find many opportunities to buy on sale around any holiday, both at the grocery and at liquor stores.
Sign up for email alerts, watch the sales and know your pricing. There is really never any reason to pay full price on almost anything. Most liquor stores have a big sale once a year, usually late February to March. That’s usually going to be the best time to stock a cabinet as you’ll probably find a bigger variety on sale and rock bottom pricing.

Coffee:

All the different coffee you can want will usually be on sale before any holiday.
Some holiday pricing is better than others, especially around Christmas and New Year (you should be well-stocked up then) but if you haven’t try to time it so that you’re picking some up at each holiday sale to tide you through to the really great winter sales. There are so many myths around coffee! The best article I’ve found to reference is this one from John Beans. If you use pods, check your Buyer’s club for the best pricing (and again, stock up during those winter sales.)

Miscellaneous Beverages:

Items like Water, Energy Drinks, Juices: Most of these items will be on sale at some point leading up to any holiday.
If you use, stock up at a low.

Ice tea, in bottles, powders, and tea in bags.
You’ll see them on sale during holidays, but also sporadically throughout the summer.

Almost all of these items are almost always on sale during every holiday, although many have better sales pricing popping up throughout the year and savvy shoppers might want to shop around for most of these items. Batteries and grilling items are on sale only during some holidays.

Use these sales to your advantage. Plan ahead, know how much you need & use of items, which is a great price in your area, and what a good deal is. If you have a party in the near future, buy your paper goods ahead (unless you’re going themed). Super Bowl Holiday-themed items are one thing that is usually best bought during after-holiday sales, although many of those items for the Super Bowl may not be available at your regular grocery.

Batteries:

Batteries are at a great price around Back to School Sales & Christmas but are often on sale on the weeks prior to the Time Change. Depending on how late in the year the Super Bowl is, you might find great sale prices.
Rechargeable batteries are really where it’s at. Watch for specials on those, though the best prices won’t be at the grocery. If you’re not going to do that, make sure to have a few regular batteries on hand so you won’t have to pay full price, ever. Your hardware store might have better pricing.

Personal Products:

Razors will likely start going on sale, but there are great prices in Autumn, too, during the back to school sales. Know your preferred products and watch the sales.
Allergy medications will start popping gup at great prices; generally, the sales are early spring and peter out as the summer progresses.
Sun Screen & Bug Sprays might be on a steep special right before any summer holiday.

Paper Goods & Plastic Plates, Cups, Silverware:

Toilet Paper, Tissues, Paper Plates, Cups, Napkins, Paper Towels all fall into this category and will all be on sale during most holidays.
Know your pricing on these items and keep in mind that of the above, the TP is probably the only necessity. Generally, the grocery store is not your best bet for TP unless it’s a sale with buy so many items, get $ back combined with coupons. If you see sales like that in your grocery ad, it’s probably a campaign. Check your CVS, Walgreens & Rite-Aids to see if the deals and pricing are better.
If you use paper plates and picnic type items, the best sales will be during the summer holiday sales. Figure out how much you do use and stock up.

Storage & Basis:

You’ll likey Aluminum Foil, Plastic Wrap, Ziplocs, Plastic Storage Containers on sale and Garbage Bags.
If you need it and the price is right, pick up enough to last until the next great sale. Typically you’ll find many of these items on sale during the multitude of sales in the Spring.

Grilling Items:

From Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s day, you’ll see sales popping up on these items, but the best sales are usually around Father’s Day and 4th of July.

Foil pans, Charcoal & lighter fluid, lighters, wood chips will be on sale.
The best pricing for these items will be clustered around the Summer holidays; These days they’re on sale during any holiday in most areas. Buy enough to last until May.

Detergents:

Dish Soap, Dishwasher & Laundry Detergents will be at a discount.
Buy if needed, but keep in mind that in the Spring, there will likely be campaigns, especially from PG&E with lots of coupons and money-back deals. Buy enough to get buy, for now, knowing they’ll be on sale for a better price, later and also on around every holiday.

Room Fresheners:

If you’re into things like air fresheners and sprays, they’re often on sale, too.
Better pricing is likely better during spring sales. They’re not really a frugal item and proven to be not good for your health. Enough said.

If there is anything to be aware of, it’s that premade trays, even on sale at holiday prices are not a great deal. I get that they are convenient, but if you want the most bang for your buck as far as pricing, avoid them like the plague. I’ve mentioned that here and there in the above post. These are crazy expensive. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Shrimp Ring, a cheese tray, a meat & cheese tray, kabobs or a veggie or fruit tray. You can almost always buy the individual items in full sizes for less than what is in the tray and you can save even more if you aren’t worried about concerned with duplicating a tray exactly.

I’ll probably cover this in a later post, but check out this ad. The veggie skewers are $4.99 a pound. That’s crazy (It’s about three times the cost per pound of buying your own and slicing them) considering the highest priced veggie is the mushrooms which will likely be on sale before any holiday, from $1.79 to $1.99 a pound, the squash is $1.79 a pound, onion is cheap cheap cheap, and there’s a bell pepper, which will likely be on sale, too. So figuring about 60 cents for a squash, $1.00 for the onion, $1.99 for the mushrooms, $1.50 for a bell pepper, your total output would be about 6 bucks but you’ll have all those veggies!

Now if you only want two kebabs, I get that you’ll pay less total, but if you want more or have any use for the other excess veggies, you’re far better off buying the veggies whole.

Check the insane pricing of these veggie skewers! Especially when the squashes are $,179 a pound.

If your answer to all of this is, “I’m on a budget & I can’t afford to buy a couple of hundred dollars worth of food on a holiday!” First of all, you’re going to “cherry pick” these sales, buying what makes sense for you, so it’s not likely to cost you a fortune. Keep in mind, that when you are used to spending a set amount of money every week (a great way to keep in budget, not a great way to buy your food) it can be difficult to stock up, especially if money is tight. Start out small.

The best way to save at your Supermarket is the best way to buy stocks. “BUY LOW.” And the best prices are usually around holidays. Know your prices and learn how to buy, store, and keep stocked up until the next great sale. If you have a well-stocked pantry, even if it’s makeshift and a freezer (and you should have a stand-alone deep freeze if you are interested in saving money on your groceries) you’ll never have to pay full price, or even just a good sales price. You’ll always pay a great price!

Start small if you have to. Very small if necessary. But do stock up at a low.
Buy what makes sense to you and what you can use and store.
As you start building up a stash of foods, you’ll see your weekly grocery store bill go down. Slowly but surely.
Hang on to that extra cash if possible, to apply towards the next great sale.
Trust the process; it makes sense and it works!

So whether or not you’re planning to party during the summer holidays, think of them as more than just a sale for yet another “Food Holiday” where you buy what you need for the week or the party and are stressing at the extra cost.

Leverage those sales to pick up items at a low and stock up in enough quantity to last until the next great sale.

Buying low is the way to go and the only way to save the most money and you want to apply the most $$ to the food at it’s lowest price.

In addition to holiday sales, summer has its own cycle: vegetables and fruits as they come into season. Watch for sales and great pricing on local produce, but also watch for big sales as groceries purchase huge shipments! (Do evaluate the quality of those items and determine if they are worthwhile.)

So many Holidays have great sales – while it “seems” to make sense sometimes to budget a set amount of money per week for food, food doesn’t cost the same every week! The amount of savings can be much greater if you can identify when to expect great sales on items, and what those items are and budget a bit extra for those weeks.

Then beat the grocer at their own game! Instead of passively being drawn into a store to pick up one or two specials and then buy whatever else you need for the week, buy as much as possible of the specials for the Holiday week and weeks or months beyond.

Make up the rest of your meals from low priced staples and such you have “banked” at home. Of course, only buy what you can store and use in a reasonable time period.