What to Buy in October
Are you wondering what the best things are to buy in October? Let’s talk about it!
One of the best ways to save money is by shopping the sales. Not only the weekly sales, but shopping the seasonal sales too! That is what this monthly series of sales is all about.
I’m naturally a frugal grocery shopper who works hard to feed our family of six on a $525 monthly grocery budget. One of the biggest ways I stretch that budget is by shopping the sales.
So, what should you be looking for in October? These are some of the deals I will be watching for, and I want you to watch for them too!
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. You can read more in my disclosure policy.
Grocery Sales to Watch for in October
While October isn’t the biggest month for grocery deals, there are still some key items to keep an eye on. In the grocery aisles, watch for sales on:
- Pasta and pasta sauce
- Frozen pizza
- Assorted canned goods
- Canned pumpkin
- Evaporated milk
- Halloween candy
It might not seem like a long list, but these are items you can absolutely stock up on and tuck away for the coming months. Canned goods, in particular, are great pantry staples that last a long time.
Stock Up on Baking Essentials
October is the month when baking items start going on sale—and that’s a sale I always pay attention to! Look for deals on:
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Powdered sugar
- Flour
- Chocolate chips
- Cake mixes
- Spices
These are all shelf-stable baking essentials, and if you enjoy baking (or just want to be prepared for the holidays), this is a great time to stock up. I always say: buy one for now, and two for later. And yes, I’ve been known to buy a year’s worth of chocolate chips when they’re on a good sale!
October’s National Food Month Sales
Here are the national food celebrations in October that can help guide your shopping. You might find extra promotions on:
- Apples (National Apple Month)
- Pumpkins (National Pumpkin Month)
- Cookies (National Cookie Month)
- Pasta (National Pasta Month)
- Pizza (National Pizza Month)
- Pretzels (National Pretzel Month)
In addition to grocery stores, local restaurants sometimes offer special deals on pizza or pretzels to celebrate these food months—worth keeping an eye on!
Seasonal Fruits in October
October is when the seasonal fruits really start to shift into fall mode. Watch for sales on:
- Apples
- Blackberries
- Cranberries
- Figs
- Grapes
- Kiwi
- Nectarines
- Peaches
- Pears
- Plums
- Pomegranates
It’s a great time to buy apples in bulk, and I especially love making apple pie kits for the freezer when prices on apples drop.
Seasonal Vegetables to Buy in October
This is one of those months where the vegetable list is actually longer than the fruit list—so take full advantage!
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Kale
- Leeks
- Peppers
- Potatoes
- Pumpkins
- Sweet potatoes
- Turnips
- Winter squash
If you’re trying to eat seasonally and stretch your produce dollars, these are the vegetables to grab now while prices are low.
Halloween Deals and Clearance
As Halloween approaches, keep an eye out for:
- Candy sales (before and after Halloween)
- Clearance costumes and decorations after Halloween
While there’s less leftover clearance candy than there used to be, it’s still worth checking your stores. If there’s a favorite treat or baking candy you love, grab it when you see it on sale!
October Non-Food Sales to Watch
There are a few other items that often go on sale in October:
- Jeans – Fall tends to bring markdowns in clothing, especially denim.
- Bikes – As the weather changes, stores often put bikes on clearance.
- Grills – With grilling season ending, this is the time to snag a deal.
- Camping gear – If there’s any left, it will likely be marked down.
Buying off-season like this can save you a lot, especially if you’re shopping for next year.
Don’t Miss Amazon’s Fall Prime Days
Here’s a big one: Amazon now has fall Prime Days every October. From what I’ve seen in recent years, these deals are just as good—if not better—than Black Friday.
I’ll be updating my Amazon Prime Deals list with all the best finds, from household essentials and pantry staples to Christmas gifts and toiletries. If you need something anyway, this is a great time to stock up and save.
You can check out my Amazon Prime Deals list here.
Ready to Shop and Save in October?
That’s a wrap on what to buy in October! From groceries and baking staples to produce and clearance finds, there are still plenty of ways to save this month.
