All of this sales & promos & couponing stuff is really cyclical. Once you’re doing it for a year+, you’ll see a pattern. Yesterday there was a $2 printable for Heinz ketchup being blasted all over the blogs and Facebook. Why would people go so nutters over a ketchup coupon? Because all the supercouponers know–we’re all almost out of ketchup! See, condiments is one of the things that is very cyclical. Now that we’re approaching summer and backyard picnic & barbeque time, all the various manufacturers will practically be giving away their stuff. And, I’ll buy 10 or 20 bottles of ketchup and mustard. If you’re new to this, you’ll say “She’s nuts, what is she going to do with all of that?” Well, assuming the expiration dates are good for a year out, that’s what my family will use in a year. About a bottle of ketchup per month, same for mustard. So ten of each or so will be fine.

Other things you should be on the lookout for deals now, and add to your stockpile:

April-Easter and Earth Day themed things- think about eggs, vinegar, ham, asparagus, horseradish, organic foods, organic/natural cleansers, energy saving lightbulbs, environmentally conscious paper products

May-Mother’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day and beginning of gardening and barbecue season-think of Mexican food products, flowers, jewelry, anything gift-y for Moms, ANYTHING related to being outside more-sunscreen, condiments, bug repellant, paper products, outdoor cooking items and decorations, allergy medicines, meats for barbecuing-like hotdogs and premade hamburgers and ribs, ice-cream, popsicles, KoolAid type drink mixes, chips.

That’s not to say that some of these items won’t be on sale at other times of the year, but this is the time of year it is much more likely to find an “on your next order” promo or Register Rewards or Extra Bucks deal on those things.

And-look for Easter candy, winter baking items, comfort-type foods (people don’t usually cook it in warmer months) all to be starting to go on clearance.