Living well while spending less in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area
October means fall festivals, pumpkins and Halloween!
I’ve updated the Deals & Events Calendar for October and there are many fun activities this month!
First be sure to plan your shopping for the month (and year) with my guide, What to Buy in October to Save Money!
Did you know that there are different things on sale each month of the year?
A while back I put together a Month to Month Shopping Guide that lists the best items to buy each month to save money!
Here I am highlighting the best items to buy this month!
Halloween deals are happening this month! However, note that the best deals are right before and right after Halloween.
It’s also pizza month so watch for pizza deals!
-Tires and car supplies are discounted for Fall Car Care month
–Halloween candy, decorations, costumes
-Summer clearance items; best time to stock up on next summer’s patio furniture or buy a grill
-Appliances and vacuums: New models arrive so you’ll find sales on last year’s kitchen appliances and washers and dryers
-Winter gear: Get good early deals on coats, hats and scarves
-Camping gear, as summer camping season comes to an end
-Travel! Warm destinations want to attract families now that kids are in school, and it’s not yet the holiday season. (However, COVID may affect demand in some areas.)
-Cars! October through December is when dealerships are trying to get rid of old models. Bonus – go at the end of the month as they’re most motivated to meet sales quotas.
Electronics. These will go lower in price next month for Black Friday so wait if you can.
Acorn squash, apples, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cranberries, grapes, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, parsnips, persimmons, pomegranates, pumpkins, rutabagas, spinach, sweet potatoes, Swiss chard, turnips, winter squash.
Columbus Day – 50% off clothing, shoes and home items at thrift stores like Savers and Unique Thrift Stores
View the full month to month list here!
And be sure to view my Deals & Events Calendar for more deals and fun this month!
I never knew about National Alpaca Farm Days until 2020 when we were looking for something outdoors to do, and a place called Foggy Bottom Alpacas in Isanti had a FREE open house!
Now I see that other alpaca farms have open houses too during this one weekend – the last weekend in September.
Keep reading for events happening this year!
But first check out our visit to Foggy Bottom Alpacas in Isanti!
The open house was all day Saturday and Sunday and there were various animals (not just alpacas), a food truck and some activities.
The farm is family-owned and started in 2008. It’s on 20 acres and is just an hour or so north of the Twin Cities. They have an on-site store with various items made from alpaca products like gloves, scarves, and socks (which are really warm by the way, and not itchy like wool)!
Did you know that there are different things on sale each month of the year?
A while back I put together a Month to Month Shopping Guide that lists the best items to buy each month to save money!
Here I am highlighting the best items to buy this month!
September is a great time to still buy school supplies, even after school starts.
Labor Day is also probably the best time for some items like mattresses until the holiday sales come.
There are also special days to note which could mean discounts!
National Cheese Pizza Day is September 5th, and National Pepperoni Pizza Day is September 20th, so watch for pizza deals.
National Guacamole Day is September 16th, National Cheeseburger Day is September 18th, National Ice Cream Cone Day is September 22nd, and National Pancake Day is September 26th – so more food deals to watch out for!
And National COFFEE Day is September 29th! There are always some good coffee deals and freebies.
-Summer clearance
-Perennials, shrubs and trees – Greenery at this time of year can’t be beat, according to Consumer Reports
-Bicycles – deals start now and run through Fall
-Halloween candy, decorations, costumes show up in stores
-Baking supplies
-Lawn mowers – prices get trimmed to create space for snowblowers and other winter gear
-Apple products like the iPhone and watches as new models are revealed
-Appliances (like washers, dryers, stoves) as new models are hitting showrooms soon
-Airfare for the winter holidays is cheaper now
-Cars: New models hit the showroom floor so older vehicles are the ones to buy
Large TVs. Prices aren’t the best. Wait until late November for the Black Friday deals if you can.
Acorn squash, apples, beets, butternut squash, cantaloupe, cauliflower, eggplant, figs, grapes, green beans, lettuce, mangoes, mushrooms, okra, peppers, persimmons, pomegranates, pumpkins, spinach, sweet potatoes, Swiss chard, tomatoes.
Labor Day – 50% off clothing, shoes and home items at thrift stores like Savers and Unique Thrift Stores
View the full month to month list here!
And be sure to view my Deals & Events Calendar for more deals and fun this month!
August is here and it’s been a hot summer in Minnesota! First, be sure you’ve downloaded my NEW, FREE Printable Summer Activity Planner for Kids!
There are 8 pages of summer planning fun:
To get this FREE Printable Summer Activity Planner for Kids, be sure you’re signed up for my FREE weekly email!
(If you’re already on my email list, check your inbox!!!!)
Note: If you have any issues with accessing your free printables, email me at twincitiesfrugalmom@gmail.com.
I’ve updated the Deals & Events Calendar for August and there are many fun activities this month! [Read more…]
Did you know that there are different things on sale each month of the year?
A while back I put together a Month to Month Shopping Guide that lists the best items to buy each month to save money!
Here I am highlighting the best items to buy this month!
In August of course you’ll find all the back to school deals. Now is the time for the lowest prices on pencils, pens, binders, notebooks, folders, glue and calculators. I always stock up on these items for my home office at this time of year too!
There are also special days to note which could mean discounts!
Root Beer Float Day is August 6th. There may be deals online.
Thrift Shop Day is August 17th – watch for thrift store sales.
National Waffle Day is August 24th, so watch for waffle deals at places like Denny’s.
-Swimwear and other end of summer deals like air conditioners, lawn mowers and yard equipment
-Camping gear: Best prices on tents and other outdoor gear now
-Luggage
-Back to school supplies
-Computers
-Fall fashions
-Lunch box foods including peanut butter and jelly, snacks, juice boxes
Amazon devices. These were just at their cheapest prices in July during the Prime Day sale, and they won’t be as cheap again until closer to Black Friday.
Appliances and mattresses. Wait until Labor Day sales if you can – prices will be way better, and they’re only a month away!
Acorn squash, apples, apricots, blueberries, butternut squash, cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, figs, green beans, kiwi, kohlrabi, lettuce, mangoes, okra, peaches, peppers, plums, raspberries, strawberries, summer squash, Swiss chard, tomatoes, watermelon, zucchini.
View the full month to month list here!
And be sure to view my Deals & Events Calendar for more deals and fun this month!
July is here and summer is in full swing in Minnesota!
First, be sure you’ve downloaded my NEW, FREE Printable Summer Activity Planner for Kids!
There are 8 pages of summer planning fun:
To get this FREE Printable Summer Activity Planner for Kids, be sure you’re signed up for my FREE weekly email!
(If you’re already on my email list, check your inbox!!!!)
Note: If you have any issues with accessing your free printables, email me at twincitiesfrugalmom@gmail.com.
I’ve updated the Deals & Events Calendar for July and there are many fun activities this month!
Did you know that there are different things on sale each month of the year?
A while back I put together a Month to Month Shopping Guide that lists the best items to buy each month to save money!
Here I am highlighting the best items to buy this month!
July 4th is Independence Day and there are many great sales this weekend on everything from food to mattresses.
July 18th is National Ice Cream Day! Look for ice cream deals and freebies.
July is the best time to buy:
-Back to school supplies debut (woohoo, right?). Great time to stock up on office supplies.
-Furniture: Great deals as stores make room for new lines
-Month-to-month gym memberships (Gyms are more negotiable now to keep numbers up, which dip in the summer)
Avoid large outdoor items like lawn mowers as they’re in such high demand now (if you can wait).
Apricots, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, green beans, kiwi, kohlrabi, lettuce, mangoes, okra, peaches, peppers, plums, raspberries, strawberries, summer squash, Swiss chard, tomatoes, watermelon, zucchini.
View the full month to month list here!
And be sure to view my Deals & Events Calendar for more deals and fun this month!
It’s June, which means the weather is warmer, and many outdoor events are happening this month and beyond!
I’ve updated the Deals & Events Calendar for June and there are many fun activities this month!
Did you know that there are different things on sale each month of the year?
A while back I put together a Month to Month Shopping Guide that lists the best items to buy each month to save money!
Here I am highlighting the best items to buy this month!
June is Dairy Month! Look for deals on dairy items.
Also June 4th is National Donut Day! Look for donut freebies and deals.
It’s the best time to buy:
-Dairy foods like cheese
-Grilling and outdoor items like burgers, hot dogs, bratwursts, buns, baked beans, mosquito repellant, sunscreen, first aid items including bandages
-Swimsuits and summer wear
-Workout gear
-Power tools, tech products for grads and dads for Father’s Day
-Wedding gifts: Now is the height of wedding season, so get some dishware now
-Semi-annual sales take place at Bath & Body Works and Victoria’s Secret
Apricots, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, corn, cucumbers, green beans, kiwi, lettuce, mangoes, peaches, strawberries, Swiss chard, watermelon, zucchini.
View the full month to month list here!
And be sure to view my Deals & Events Calendar for more deals and fun this month!
