Q: Besides a grocery store sale cycle, are there times of the year when certain items are on sale?

A: Absolutely! Grocery stores are smart. They know that there are certain times of the year when shoppers key in on specific goods, and they want to grab as much of your business as they can.

So why not offer a great price on something they already know you'll be looking for? Cookout supplies around the Fourth of July, baking staples during the winter holidays and candy on Halloween.

It's all about anticipation. In this case, the anticipation of shopping habits. Stores know from experience, and shopping trends, when different items will peak throughout the year. By matching their best prices to times of peak demand, they stand a better chance of getting shoppers in the door and earning their business.

This is a cycle you can work to your advantage. By staying on top of what items tend to go on sale during certain times of the year, you can stock up and save your family impressive amounts of money.

For now, try focusing on those key items you'll soon be tossing into lunchboxes day after day. Pudding cups and fruit snacks can be expensive, so buy when the time is right to have them ready and waiting when you need them most. And keep track of which items can be frozen. Things like lunchmeat freeze well, making it easy to take advantage of a good sale when you find one.

Be sure to keep track of produce sales. Fruits and vegetables are at their peak at different times of the year. If you buy when the market is flooded, and freeze your produce, you can save money and offer healthy options for your family.

Right now, August is upon us and that can only mean one thing — back to school! Here are a few items that always tend to be on sale this time of year:

— School supplies: Crayons, scissors, glue, paper, markers, notebooks and other common school supplies.

— School lunches: pudding cups, lunch meat, bread, cold cereal, waffles, lunchboxes.

— Disinfectant: Clorox, Purell

— Seasonal produce: Avocado, green beans, beans, corn, cucumber, eggplant, onion, bell pepper, summer squash, tomatillo, tomatoes, peaches, berries, figs, grapes, melons, peaches, Bartlett pears, plums and raspberries.

Source: Living Richly on a Budget: http://www.livingrichlyonabudget.com/grocery-sale-cycles-when-do-things-go-on-sale