We got hammered with about a foot of snow this past weekend, as did most of the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast. However, I knew enough not to head out to the supermarket for any last-minute supplies. Have you ever made that mistake, when snow is forecast, and found your supermarket packed with panicked shoppers? As one of my Facebook friends said, it’s a snow storm not the snow-pocalypse!

But the truth is it always seems like people are stocking up on bread, milks and eggs before it snows. Interesting choice. I always associated snowy days with hot cocoa, not French toast!

This past week Stop & Shop took a look at what the pre-storm shoppers were stocking up on, and here’s what they found:

• Milk and Bread sales are up: 50%
• Soup sales are up: 30%
• Baking aisle needs are up: 100%
• Ground Beef & Bacon are up: 30%
• Soda, Snacks and Beer Sales are up: 30%
• Battery & Flashlight sales are up: 100%
• Bottled Water up: 40%
• Rock Salt, snow shovels and windshield washer fluid are up: 400%

I don’t know about you, but I still prefer to stock up when the price is right–such as bread for about a buck a loaf–not when snow is forecast. How can you expect to remain true to your frugal mission if you’re shopping in a panic?

I totally missed National Regifting Day last Thursday, December 17th. Not that I think millions of Americans went out and regifted, but it’s a way of recognizing that regifting is an OK way to gift. Especially in this economy and for those looking not to waste gifts, I think regifting is a great idea.

For more on regifting, check out this Philadelphia Inquirer story on how not to be a careless regifter, featuring yours truly in both the text and an accompanying photograph.

What’s your opinion on regifting?