Sweet Treats!

Gina's Italian Kitchen, my food blog, 

will be featuring sweet treats

 now until Valentine's Day!

Come by and check it out the

sweets for your sweetie :)

Kitchen Stuff on Sale Now

Stock up on these following items

 while the stores have too much

 inventory left from the holidays!

It happens every year . . .

1. Fruit & Citrus: These items are usually heavily stocked, intended as holiday gifts.  If you can't use them right away, citrus can be juiced, pureed or even frozen (most fruits can be frozen).  Plan your menu around these items while they can be purchased for a fraction of their original price!

2. Baking Supplies:  Look for discounts on flour, sugar, baking soda (which can also be used for your cleaning needs) . . . Basic staples are stocked in large quantities for holiday baking.

3. Pie Crusts & Phyllo Dough:  Take advantage of discount prices . . . same as baking supplies!  Grocery stores buy these items in bulk for holiday baking. Stock up!  Don't forget you can freeze pies :)

4. Cookie Cutters & Icing Supplies:  You will find inexpensive cookie cutters and icing tips at discount prices, although the inventory could be picked over . . . you never know!

5. Yogurts:   We tend to make our resolutions to lose weight in January, so it is logical that yogurt and other assorted "healthy" items will be purchased in large quantities by the stores and sold at a discount.  Just stick a popsicle stick in the top of yogurt you anticipate will not be used by the expiration date and pop them in the freezer for some handy healthy treats.

6. Sponges & Cleaning Supplies: You can count on deals for pricier specialized items like hand brooms or single sponges that might otherwise be over your budget.

7. Cookie Mix-Ins: Just when you made your resolution to lose weight, you will be tempted by the deep discounts on items like wrapped caramels, chocolate chips, marshmallows, chocolate bars, candies, nuts, dried fruits, sprinkles and other assorted cookie items for the next several weeks.

8. Winter Alcohol Packs: Beer, wine, hard liquors and gift sets are sold at reduced prices this time of year . . . stock up for that Super Bowl party! 

9. Super Bowl Foods:  Time for the start of the big push for party items like soda, chips, crackers and cheeses.  

10. Festive Beverages & Mix-Ins: Be on the lookout for holiday items like gingerbread and peppermint teas, holiday coffee creamer and flavorings . . . big markdowns on these items this time of year!

Happy Frugal Shopping!

Traditional January Bargains and Deals

Happy New Year!

Let's go January Shopping!

One of the greatest ways to save money is to wait until after the holidays to make major purchases.   Retail sales drastically drop after the holiday season . . . why not help retailers move their merchandise, keep their cash flow going to make new purchases and help yourself to some major bargains at the same time?  

The following items are Traditional January Bargains and Deals . . .

Wrapping Paper and Christmas Cards . . . General Holiday Items
Why not purchase these items for next Christmas at a fraction of the price?  Retailers need to get rid of left over holiday merchandise . . . they really don't want to store it!


Linens and Bedding
Stock up on your bedding, linens, towels during the "White Sales" in January . . . major discounts mean big sales that retailers depend on after the holiday rush.


Big Appliances
Take advantage of stores moving older inventory not sold through the holidays by offering huge discounts at the beginning of January.

Carpet and Flooring
You get your greatest carpet and flooring deals before February 15, when they are at their lowest demand.  Prices typically pick up when buyers receive tax refunds and sales increase.

Furniture
Just like the appliance stores, furniture stores need to make room for new inventory in January.  You will typically save 10-50% on the "older" furniture.

Happy Shopping!