I was excited to see this sale at Lowes! Why? Well, I just started canning for the first time last year! We started with 15 lbs. of organic plums from our co-op and turned them into plum jam (after the dozen or so the kids consumed!!). It was a very intimidating task for me before-hand, but it as really fun and turned out well! I have since done small tasks like making freezer jam and more, but Alex and I were just discussing how we are going to make 2013 the year that we really dive into canning and preserving even more. We hope to grow a nice garden and then really learn to understand and become experts at canning. Thriftiness is a step-by-step process and this is one area that I need to learn.
So, with that, if you are or want to start canning, there are a couple of things you can do right now to help you save. This is the time of year when canning is very popular and so many people are out looking for the thrifty canning finds.
First, we would recommend the following for the jars. Head to the thrift stores now to get your glass cannning jars. They are significantly cheaper. Earlier this past summer, we found Ball and Kerr for .15 a jar (vs. .75 in-store). Also, we were able to borrow canning equipment from others in our church as well and so if you can find friends, neighbors, etc. where you can all share equipment, it will save loads of money! The only problem with this is that at this time of year, finding them may be near impossible as so many people are looking for them right now. The best times to find them are in the spring and early summer before canning season really kicks in which is why we did a post back in June encouraging you to look then. But you may be able to find some still right now.
However, another option is that Lowe’s is offering a sale from now until January of 2013 where much of their Ball canning supplies are 50% off. This is an incredible sale, especially for this time of year. You can order them online and have them ship to your local Lowes for free. The best part about this is that you can compare the prices online and around town in hopes of beating that price per jar that they are selling them for, but if you can’t then you can order from Lowes as you have until January of 2013 to get those 5o% off sales.
Here’s an example of just one of the Ball canning items for 50% off:
So for .44 per new jar with lids already (as you have to buy those new anyway when you buy used) for 32 oz. wide mouth jars is really good, even for many used finds.
I must say, that even in my thrifty second-hand looking, the prices at Lowes for new are really, really good! In fact, these prices are significantly lower than Walmart’s everyday price, which is the lowest typically. Alex prefers to do new if the cost is near the same as used, and so we need more jars than what I was able to get over the summer months at thrift stores, so we will certainly be grabbing some!
We are not sure if this is in-store as well, but you can always order online and have it shipped to the store for free.
Lindsay
I was wondering if you knew which areas are able to get in on this deal? When I try online, the stores in my area apparently don’t carry them so there is no option to pick up in the store and the website also says that it isn’t available for shipping. I would love to take advantage of this deal!!!!
Cassie
Oh no… that is sad. I wonder how many areas are saying this? What I would do is contact corporate customer service to find out how you can get this deal: f you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact a Lowe’s customer service representative at 1-800-445-6937, or e-mail us at customercare@lowes.com.
Also, try calling your local store to see if they can “look it up” and have it ordered and sent to their store for you. Hopefully one of those works. Let us know!
Leigh
This deal doesn’t work in my area either. I am bummed. I am in Georgia and love to can stuff.