How to Save on Holiday Grocery Shopping
Grocery stores will offer the best deals on what people want most during the holiday season. Using the knowledge learned as a supermarket manager, I am going to offer some tips here on finding the best savings. Items not available during much of the year can be purchased for very low prices. In addition, great prices on turkeys, hams, and specialty items can be found during the holiday season. There is a small window to find the best bargains during the holidays. Let’s look at some ways to get the best savings.
Watch The Ads
The best deals on “must have” holiday items are advertised the week before Thanksgiving and Christmas. Most American families have a turkey for Thanksgiving. Because of competition, grocery stores will advertise their best prices on turkeys the week of Thanksgiving. Hams or rib roasts are the best deals Christmas week.
Buy extra on items while the price is best. Turkeys can stay in the freezer and be enjoyed after the holidays. If a sale at 69 cents per pound can be found at Thanksgiving there is no need to pay over one dollar per pound in January. Sweet potatoes, dressing, and other items can be bought in bulk and enjoyed as a special treat later.
Don’t Be Fooled
Watch for “fake sales” on displays to remove extra money from your wallet. Sweet potatoes may have brown sugar or marshmallows displayed next to them at regular price. Stuffing may be in a bin next to the turkeys at regular price, while the shelf will have a different brand stuffing on sale.
The tables or huge displays in the lobbies of stores may have spices, fruit cakes, decorations, and an assortment of items displayed for huge profits to the store and not to save you money. Be selective in what you buy and look for sale items.
Be Patient And Wait
Just as you can save a bundle on advertised items the week of a holiday, wait and watch for sales after the holiday. Some stores have ordered too much and will reduce those lobby displays way before Christmas. Other locations may not do reductions until the day after Christmas or even New Years day.
Especially watch for deals on Christmas decorations or perishable specialty items. Star shaped cookies or tree ornaments can be real cheap if you are observant and your timing is right. Life is too short to deny yourself something you really want, but sometimes a bargain treat after the holiday lights are unplugged can be really sweet.
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