Guest Post: Understanding the Sales Cycle
Think logically when it comes to understanding the sales cycle. Products normally go on sale at the time of the year they will be used. When an item goes on sale this is when you want to see if you have an available coupon to match to the sale price. If so this is when you stockpile!
In the past products have cycled like this.
November – Cough, Cold, Soup (Cambell’s), Jello, Oats
December – Carnation Milk, Baking ingredients
Summer – BBQ Sauce, Marinades, Condiments, Country Time Lemonade
Also know that Toilet paper and Cereal cycles every 6 weeks. So you want to watch the brand you use and purchase it when it is at it lowest price of the cycle. Hopefully you have a coupon to match and this is stockpile time.
Matching is looking at the sale ads and matching items that are at rock bottom with an available coupon. It is important that you stockpile when an item is at rock bottom (70% off) and when you have a coupon. Watching the sales cycle or keeping a price book will help you figure out when to stockpile a product.
Generally brands will have a major sale 1-2 times a year. Stores will offer special sales on those brands during that time. For example Meijer will host a Lysol sale and Kroger will host a General Mills sale. During this time coupons and catalina offers normally match making it a perfect time to stockpile on those products. Both of which have a nice shelf life!
In addition you can often get a good stockpile price on meat when they have one day Meat sales. In my area $1.99 lb is a good price for 93/7 ground beef. When you find clearance or sale prices on meat even if it is near expiration bring it home and immediately prepare it for freezing. This extends the shelf life of the meat and allows you to take advantage of the deal that you just found. I suggest using the foodsaver to really protect and take advantage of those sales.
Also, Kroger marks down meat between 6-8 am every morning. This is a good time to stockpile when you can find meat that is at a nice sale price plus markdown. You do need to shop early to find markdowns though. The early bird gets the worm.
Hopefully you understand a little more about the sales cycle and how to better prepare yourself when it comes to purchasing coupons.
About Melissa Jennings:
Melissa taught Family and Consumer Science (Home Economics) on the high school level for 11 years before becoming a mom. In June 2005 after her son came home from Guatemala, she made the decision to leave her career and become a SAHM. In order to achieve this goal and live on one income, her family had to make some drastic changes in their lifestyle.
In December 2008, she began the switch to stockpiling. This new way of shopping or stockpiling was a big change for her. After just four months she was already saving $200.00 plus dollars a month! Now she is feeding her family for an average of $150.00 a month total! This new way of shopping or stockpiling has changed their lives! In 2009 she saved $3600.00 from her families budget through stockpiling. Her hope is through Stockpiling Moms, she will be able to help others join her on the journey to frugal living.
