Alright guys and dolls, today’s lesson is easy.

Stores run sales on a cycle system. Those cycles typically run in the following ways:

  • Every 3 months
  • Every 6 months
  • Seasonally
In the beginning, while you’re still figuring all of this out, you might not know what your store’s cycles tend to be so you’ll need to make a concerted effort to find out. Using some notebook paper you can start tracking sales quickly:
Be patient. It’ll take you at least 6 months to get it down pat – but keep it simple. This shouldn’t be more than you jotting down a date here and there.
Seasonal sales don’t just apply to the holidays, either. I’m dedicating an entire post to what to by when, so be ready to print. 😉
One last note on sale cycles: It’s important to know your local store’s sale week as well. Next time you get the sales flyer, look for the fine print that lays out when those specials start and end. It is no fun getting to the store only to find that what you wanted isn’t on sale anymore.
And here’s the bad news – different store chains run on different sale week cycles. My three favorite grocery stores have different sales weeks.
  • Wegman’s has it’s “Consistent Low Prices” list that lasts months but they also have unadvertised weekly sales. I’m still learning their system and I’m a year in!
  • Giant runs it’s sale prices from Friday to Thursday. (So for example – Giant’s new sale prices will begin tomorrow and end next Thursday.)
  • Giant Eagle runs it’s sales from Thursday to Wednesday.
See what I mean? An important part of saving is educating yourself. 
If you shop at a store I didn’t mention, please let me know when your store runs it’s sales week and I’ll add it to the list.

This has been our easiest day yet! How are you feeling? Anyone have a triumph so far? I’d love to hear your stories!
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