What To Buy (and Skip) In October

One of my favorite (and one of the easiest!) ways to save money is by stocking up on foods when the prices are at their lowest. I can buy foods for 50-60% of the regular prices. The best part about stocking up when things are on sale is that it doesn’t take a lot of my time. Just stock up to really save money on your grocery bill.

October still has some fall produce deals that we will see at the stores. Plus, all the sweets and treats that go along with Halloween. Check out below what to buy (and skip) in October to really save.

Seasonal Produce

I love buying produce when it’s in season and preserving it. I bake pumpkins, purée, and freeze them. It's a great way to save pumpkin purée for pies. I have a trick that will keep apples fresh for a couple of months. It’s also a great time to make slow cooker applesauce and apple butter.

The month of October will have lots of sales on Apples, Pumpkins, Pears, Beets, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Oranges, Figs, Sweet Potatoes, and Winter Squash. If you wait until near or after Halloween you can pumpkins for really cheap. I have found them for as low as $.50.

Foods

Because of Halloween, we will see lots of candy sales. It’s a good time to stock up for all year-long. The closer it gets to Halloween the better the sales get. I usually try to hold off until the 30th to buy any candy for trick or treaters.

We will also see baking items go on sale. It’s a great time to stock up on flour, sugar, and spices. There will also be lots of sales on canned soups and stews. I try to buy lots of canned soup for nights I don't feel like cooking. Grilled cheese sandwiches and canned soup makes an easy dinner or lunch.

October is also national seafood month. We will see lots of sales on shrimp, fish, and lobster. It’s a great time to stock up. I have found shrimp for around $2.99 a pound before. When I find it cheap I try to buy 10-20 pounds so it lasts us for months. If you love seafood stock up and save.

Other Stuff

The deals on winter clothes are finally starting. October is a great time to pick up jeans and sweaters at a good price. If you have been holding off on buying winter clothes you can start buying now. Most stores will have Columbus Day sales early in the month for some extra good deals.

What To Skip

If you don't need them hold off on any Halloween decorations or costumes until after Halloween. You can then find some great deals in early November. When my kiddo used to go trick or treating I would have him pick out his costume for next year in early November to get the best deals.

Also, skip buying any toys this month. We really won't see any good toy deals until closer to Black Friday. Electronics will be about the same. Most of those deals will come in late November.

Saving money doesn’t always have to take a lot of time. Just by stocking up on a few extras when they are at their lowest can save you $100’s. What are your favorite things to buy in October?