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Sales Cycle, Baking Season!

I know that I have posted this post before but I always like a good refresher. I always like to know what season is a good time to buy what grocery items, and when a specific item will be on sale at what time of the year. so here is my list, keep in mind that months run into each other meaning that just because Frozen food month is March expect frozen food stuff to also be on sale at a rock bottom price in February, so always know your price points and snag the deal when you see it.

So want to know how sales cycles work? it's super easy, once a year a product will be at it's rock bottom price, that also means Manufacturers will send out coupons for this product, you should also find a bunch of these type of coupons on line, It's a savings haven! so we will take frozen pizza (since they were on sale just a couple weeks ago) this is the time to stock up on frozen food. Digorno pizza was on sale for a rock bottom price at 2/9 I had a buy 2 get one free coupon so I got 3 Digorno Pizza's for 9 or for $3 a piece. If you could see my freezer  I almost need anther one since it's almost full of frozen food items that my family will use this coming year. That is how you can use sale cycles to your benefit  stock up once a year on the items that are on sale at it's rock bottom price so you don't pay double 6 months from now for the same item.




October

Halloween: Candy, Fresh Pumpkin
Beginning of the Baking Sales: Canned pumpkin, Evaporated Milk, Baking Chips
Daylight Savings Time Ends Promotions: Alarm Clocks, Batteries, Safety Equipment, Smoke Detectors
National Seafood Month
Adopt a Shelter-Dog Month: Pedigree, Purina
Seasonal Produce: Almonds, Apples, Artichokes, Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Chard, Chestnuts, Cranberries, Lemons, Parsnip, Pears, Pomegranate, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin, Spinach, Squash, Winter, Turnips, Yams

November

Best month of the year to stock up on lots of grocery items, ( a little secret, my grocery bill doubles this month- but so does the savings, budget for a big grocery bill the sales are endless it seems)

Another worthy note: Hy-Vee has thier anual buy a Ham get a turkey free sale this month, I like to Roast and Smoke the turkey and freeze it for dinner later when I don't have time to cook, I also freeze the ham, and use them as ham stakes and cube the ham for stews and breakfast. I usally get 4 turkeys and hams, and will last us till about April.
Hot Cocoa, Coffee, Tea
Baking Sales in Full Swing: Nuts, Chocolate Chips, Evaporated Milk, Sweetened Condensed Milk, Coconut, Cake Mixes
Canned foods: Soup, Broth, Vegetables, Fruits, Spaghetti Sauce
Thanksgiving Items: Turkey, Canned Pumpkin, Stovetop Stuffing, Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes, Gravy Mixes, Frozen Pies, Cranberry Sauce, Jello, Marshmallows
Seasonal Produce: Anjou Pears, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Carrots, Celery, Comice Pears, Cranberries, Kiwi, Lemons, Orange, Potato, Squash, Yams
Clearance: After Halloween Sales

December

Holiday Dinner: Egg Nog, Deli Platters, Instant Potatoes, Gravy Mixes, Frozen Pies, Cranberry Sauce, Jello, Marshmallows. Sour Cream Dips, Crackers, Chips, Soda, Ham
Baking: Flour, Sugar, Butter, Cream, Cake Mix, Brownie Mix, Muffin Mix, Breads, Pie Crust, Marshmallow, Whipped cream
Canned Foods: Soup, Broth, Condensed Milk, Vegetables, Fruits, Spaghetti Sauce
Seasonal Produce: Anjou Pears, Bok Choy, Bosc Pears, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Dates, Grapefruit, Haas Avocados, Kale, Kiwi, Kumquat, Lemon, Napa Cabbage, Oranges, Sweet Potatoes, Red Cabbage, Rutabaga, Savoy Cabbage, Spinach, Winter Squash, Yams, Turnips, White Potato
Clearance: After Thanksgiving and After Christmas Sales

January

National Oatmeal Month: Quaker
Diet Foods: Healthy Choice, South Beach, Lean Cuisine, Special K, Kashi, Smart Start, 100 Calorie Packs, Yogurt
Super Bowl Sunday: Pepsi, Coke, Chips, Dips, Cheese, Sandwich Items, Crackers, Snacks, Wings
Seasonal Produce: Oranges, Pears, Grapefruit, Tangerines, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kiwi, Avocado, Cabbage, Spinach
Clearance: Christmas Decorations, Toys, Wrapping Papers,
Winter Health: Cold Medicines and Vitamins

February

Hy-Vee usually have lots of good deals on frozen food this month
National Canned Food Month: Canned Fruit, Pie Fillings, Vegetables, Meats: Tuna, Chicken, Salmon
National Hot Breakfast Month:  Malt O Meal, Oatmeal, Eggo Waffles, Syrup
Valentines:  Chocolate, Hershey’s, KY Lubricant, etc
Chinese New Year: Soy Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce, Noodles, Canned Water Chestnuts
Seasonal Produce:  Artichoke, Asparagus, Raspberries, Potatoes, Strawberries, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kiwi, Avocado, Spinach
grocery store sales cycles

March

Frozen Food Month: Ice Cream, Frozen Vegetables (Boxed, Bag, or Steam), Frozen Meals, Foster Farms Chicken, Waffles, Pizza
Seasonal Produce: Artichoke, Asparagus, Haas Avocado, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Fennel, Kale, Leek, Lemon, Lime, Mushrooms, Spring Onions, Orange, Peas, Radish, Rhubarb, Spinach, Strawberries, Tangerine

April

Easter:  Ham, Eggs, Spices, Baking Supplies: Sugar, Spices, Baking Mixes, Chocolate Chips, Butter, Coconut, Marshmallows, Brownie Mix, Cake Mix
Earth Day: Organic Foods, Energy Saver, Reusable Totes
Seasonal Produce: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbages, Carrots, Grapefruit, Haas Avocado, Mushrooms, Onions, Peas, Rhubarb
Clearance: After Easter sales

May

Memorial Day: BBQ Sauce, Condiments, Charcoal, Salad Dressing, Potato Chips, Dips, Grilling Meats, Hot Dogs, Hamburger Meat, Marinade, Salad Greens
Paper Products: Plates, Utensils, Insect Repellant, Sunscreen
Cinco De Mayo: Salsa, tortillas
Seasonal Produce: Artichokes, Asparagus, Avocado, Beans, Green, Beets, Blackberries, Carrots, Sweet Vidalia Onions, Peas, New Potatoes, Raspberries, Strawberries

June

National Dairy Month: Eggs, Milk, Ice Cream, Cheese, Cream Cheese, Butter, Yogurt, Whipping Cream, Whipped Cream, Cool Whip
End of June is Fourth or July Sales: Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, BBQ Sauce, Ketchup, Condiments, Charcoal, Salad Dressing, Potato Chips, Dips
Seasonal Produce: Apricots, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cherries, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Grapes, Honeydew, Nectarines, Peaches, Potatoes, Raspberries, Red Onions, Squash, Summer, Strawberries, Sweet Vidalia Onions, Tomatoes, Watermelon

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, Beans, Green, Blueberries, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Figs, Garlic, Grapes, Nectarines, Onions, Red, Valencia Oranges, Peaches, Sweet/Bell Peppers, Plums, Potatoes, Summer Squash, Tomatoes, Watermelon

August

Back to School: Pudding cups, Lunch meat, Lunchables, Bread, Cold Cereal, Waffles, Lunchboxes
Disinfectant:  Clorox, Purell
Clearance:  Insect Repellant, Sunscreen, charcoal
Seasonal Produce: Gravenstein Apple, Haas Avocado, Green Beans, Beans, Berries, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Figs, Grapes, Melons, Onion, Peaches, Bartlett Pears, Bell Pepper, Plums, Raspberries, Squash, Summer, Tomatillo, Tomato

September

Back to School Sales through Labor Day:  Crayons, Pencils, Folders, Binders
Diabetes: Bayer Glucose Meters, Glucerna Cereal
Seasonal Produce: Apples, Artichokes, Beans, Bell Peppers, Chili Peppers, Cucumber, Eggplant, Grapes, Onion, Valencia Orange, Asian Pears, Bartlett Pears, Pomegranate, Squash, Tomatillo, Tomatoes, Winter Squash
Baby Items: Major Baby Equipment, Baby Safety

Your a Hoot Owl Pillow Box


This was a fun little treat holder I made for two special people I admire. This project was easy to assemble, and fun to give.
My Notes: I used scraps for this project, and I resized the owl to make it bigger, next time I will not resize the file. it is big enough as it is. You have to add the Google Eyes, it makes all the difference.

Material list:
8.5 pattern paper (for the box)
brown, pink paper (I used some scraps that I had)
Googgle eyes
White card stock (for Print and cut)

assemble the file, super easy, I had to go by the picture. then I typed out in English Essay Your' a Hoot. I used the pink polka dot pattern for the back ground, but the opacity down to about 40% and enlarged the pattern to about 120%, and then print and cut it out on my Silhouette. I attached the sentiment with some pop dots, then I filled the owl with some pink, red, and silver kisses.



Hanger Note Holder


I really don't organize stuff, so when I saw this little thing on SOS I thougt that is what I need for my lists that I make for groceries, this would fix that! It was super easy to make, like in less than an hour I had this thing made and ready to hang. but if you have the idea in your head before you start with the paper picked out and everything else picked out it would be done faster.

I can see this being a super cute teacher gift or a gift to give before Christmas for Christmas receipts/note organizing. I might have to make one of these for each season, (I really like this file, worth getting.)

My Notes: I like using double sided paper for this, originally I was going to but a picture of my kidlets on it but then I came across this perfect printable, and I needed some spiritual inspiration, and it's perfect for this!

Material list:
Hanging Note Holder from SOS
2 sheets of 12x12 double sided paper that are coordinating. (I used K&C Abrianna paper line)
Bling/embellishments
Picture, or printable
Postit notes and a pen

assembling was simple, there wasn't much to go on but you fold and glue and your done.

Birthday Magic Card



You might think that I am in love with birthday cards, and some what I am, I have a lot of family and friends and I like making cards for them. This one is super easy to make, all said and done if you have all the materials I bet you could knock out one in about 20 min. or less, all you need is two sheets of 12x12 paper with scraps left over.

 My notes: use nice paper I used glitter paper and am happy that I did, the regular patterned paper just didn't look nice, this design is busy and if you add a pattern it is a bit overwhelming so I stayed with solid colors. I really wanted the paper to stand out, so I didn't do much to embellish the card and I really like having just the stars on the outside of the card, it adds a bit of fun to the card.

Material list:
Lori Whitlock Birthday Magic Card
12x12 silver glitter paper (found at JoAnn's)
12x12 Purple glitter paper (found at JoAnn's)

To watch a video on how to assemble watch:


I love it, another super easy fun card to make!


Iowa Mini Album

I had so much fun making this cute mini album that I had to make another one just like if for a sweet friend. Some projects are easier to make two than just one, and this is one of those projects.

Material list: (for one album)
Lori Whitlocks Chipboard Mini Album from SOS
12x12 Heavy Card stock for cover
12x12 patterned paper for the cover/binding
4 sheets of 12x12 patterned paper for the envelope, I used some yellow paper that worked together, ( mismatched brands. what ever was in my stash)
2 sheets of 12x12 double sided paper -for the pages of the book.

Lots of Embellishments, I used the Big ten font  and made lots of cut outs for Iowa, I also Print and Cut the Iowa Hawkeyes, and Go Hawks, and the Iowa logo's from the Big Ten Font. Stickers were also on the album, Ribbon would also had been cute on this.

Watch the video on how to assemble the album, it's not hard just takes time, I do this while watching tv.
I will admit the hardest part for me was figuring out the binding, but once I figured out how to fold it and glue it, it was a breeze.

I plan on using this file a ton for birthday, Christmas, baby, wedding and graduation  gifts.

Cupcake card easel back card





This is a fun card to put together, Lori Whitlock's cutting file is all ready to go, Just cut and assemble! The design work is all done for you.  For another alternative to stamping I typed out my sentiment and used the print and cut feature The Silhouette Cameo has to offer.

MATERIALS  LIST:  
Coredinations Cardstock red,
Coredination Cardstock light Blue
Blanc Boutique White cardstock
DCWV Nana's  Kitchen light blue pattern paper
Paper Studio small silver brads
Silhoutte Cutting Image File lori whitlock cupcake easel card by Lori Whitlock  Design ID #43213
Fonts: Gabriola (FontZone.net) Irish Spaghetti (Dafont.com)


My only notes on this card are: make sure your mat is nice a sticky, as there are lots of little dots to cut out... I liked designing with a tricolor scheme any more colors might take away from the design.