What to Buy in February
February is here and it is a fantastic time to build your stockpile! Between Super Bowl foods, National Canned Food Month, National Hot Breakfast Month and Valentine’s Day, you can score amazing deals at the grocery store. Make sure that you include room in your grocery budget so that you can properly stock up for yourself this month.
Every month, I like to share some of my favourite ways to stock up on everyday items as well as save money on bigger ticket purchases.
What to Buy in February To Save Money
There are also a lot of sales going on outside the grocery store this month you'll want to take advantage of! End of winter sales and President's Day make this one of my favourite months to snag some bigger ticket items at rock bottom pricing.
Food Stuff to Buy in February
Save on Canned Goods
February is National Canned Food month which means you’ll find sales everywhere on canned foods. This will include canned soups, tuna, canned chicken, vegetables, fruits and other canned items. Stock up heavily now as it will be a while before these items go back on sale.
Hot Breakfast Items for Lower Prices
It is also National Hot Breakfast month so lots of warm breakfast options will go on sale. Which is great for these cold winter mornings, especially on a lazy snow day! If you have the freezer space, stock up on the frozen items. If not, stock up on the dry breakfast cereals and call it a day.
- Oatmeal
- Grits
- Malt O Meal
- Cream of Wheat
- Frozen waffles and pancakes
- Syrup
- Pancake mix
- French toast sticks
- Breakfast bowls
- Breakfast burritos
In addition to the frozen breakfast items, be on the lookout for sale prices on frozen pizzas, chicken nuggets, fries and other frozen snacks. These items will generally be cheaper during March because of National Frozen Food month, but if you find a sale price that is good enough, go ahead and pick them up.
Asian Inspired Foods on Sale
Chinese New Year means that Asian inspired foods will go on sale during February as well. Stock up on things that you use for your favourite recipes to save the most money. I've noticed it's not just Chinese foods but all Asian foods and inspired foods here. I love to snag some of the individual serving rice and noodle bowls to try out.
- Soy sauce
- Teriyaki sauce
- Noodles
- Egg rolls
- Spring rolls
- Wasabi
- Curry and simmer sauces
- Cup of noodles
Party Foods Still on Sale
Super Bowl Sunday might have already passed, but the sales on these items won’t have. Stores will be trying to clear their stock of game day goodies. Stock up on them for Valentine’s Day parties that you have coming up or for your own home to use as snacks.
- Chips
- Dip
- Soda
- Fruit & veggie trays
- Meat & cheese platters
Snag Some Yogurt
February 6th is National Frozen Yogurt Day! Check nearby for any deals on frozen yogurt and then hit the grocery store to grab your favourite yogurt flavours.
Save on Seasonal Produce
Seasonal produce is always cheaper than out of season, but this varies a little depending on your area. In Iowa, everything is grown in a greenhouse for the winter months, so I had to do a little research. These are some of the fruits and veggies that are considered in season across the country. Take advantage of lower prices to enjoy some of your favourites.
Consider using carrots and mushrooms as a booster for many ground beef dishes (just finely shred them) and make delicious soups with the other veggies. Bok Choy is a favourite here for upgraded ramen on a cold winter day too!
- Asparagus
- Avocado
- Banana
- Beets
- Bok Choy
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Kiwi
- Leeks
- Lemon
- Lime
- Mango
- Mushroom
- Parsnips
- Pears
- Pomegranates
- Potatoes
- Rutabagas
- Sweet Onion
- Turnips
- Winter Squash
Non-Food Items on Sale
TVs at Rock Bottom Prices
Because of the Super Bowl, people are looking to upgrade their TVs in a hurry! Take advantage of the higher demand and great sales price if a new tv is in your budget. After the Super Bowl sales end and prices start to creep back up. This year, I'm seeing lower-end brands 50″ TVs for as low as $200 and some nice deals on higher-end smart TVs that make me wish we were ready to upgrade ours now!
Save with President's Day Sales
President's Day is the third Monday of February and retailers love to host holiday weekend sales to move merchandise! Watch for sales (online and in stores) for:
- Home Goods like bedding, mattresses, and furniture
- Electronics like headphones, tablets, and laptops
- Small kitchen appliances
- Large appliances
Fitness on the Frugal Side
Exercise equipment will begin to be marked down. Stores often fill their inventory for shoppers who have set new year’s resolutions to lose weight. By February the rush on fitness equipment is over which means that stores need to clear out their inventory.
Stock Up for Next Valentine's Day
After the 14th is a great time to stock up on all things red, pink, and romantic! Make sure to hit those clearance aisles to avoid paying full price on cards next year! I love to snag sprinkles and some baking items this month too!
- Cookie cutters
- Red, pink, and white sprinkles
- Valentine's Day decor
- Pink and red straws
- Heart-shaped silicone baking & soap molds
- Valentine's Day themed cupcake liners
- Valentine's Day cards and stickers
Winter Apparel
In Iowa, winter is still in full swing, but stores are moving out coats, jackets, and other winter clothing items to make room for spring items. Check the clearance racks. Thick winter socks are one of my favourite things to snag this time of year! And warm jammies!
They will be marked down all month, but watch for President's Day sales too! You may score some great finds up to 70% off! Hats, scarves, and gloves aren't something we outgrow very often but they disappear about as fast as socks! We stock up on them during the end of winter sales. And for those that are done growing, I snag winter boots for the next year.
Save on Snow Removal
Stores are trying to move out snow shovels, ice melt, snow scrapers, and glorious snow blowers to make room for spring/summer merchandise. Can you tell I really want a snow blower? LOL
With all these tips you will be able to save a lot of money when you are doing your shopping in February. Be sure to save this list of what to buy in February to save money so you can stick to your budget and save money this year!
What are some of your favourite items to stock up on in February? Leave a comment and let me know if I forgot anything!
