There aren’t any major shopping days that fall in September, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities to save. Summer is coming to a close, so retailers will be anxious to make room for new, fall items. That means there will be some amazing deals and discounts on the last summer products still crowding the shelves.
Although there will be some great deals this month, you should steer clear of the so-called sales that aren’t really saving you money. Fall clothing has just made its debut in stores, so fall clothing sales won’t save you any money yet. Wait until November to see any real deals on seasonal clothing. Electronics are also a no-no this month. You’ll see the best electronics deals of the year during Black Friday. If you don’t like dealing with crowds, Cyber Monday will offer the same great deals online.
With that said, here are five items you can find significant discounts on this month:
Patio Furniture
This is an item I’ll be shopping for this month. My patio could use a little flare, and September is the perfect time to shop for it. Granted, you probably won’t be sitting outside on your new outdoor furniture in the cold months, but there’s plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors before it gets cold and you’ll save hundreds of dollars buying now instead of next summer.
Grills
Grills are considered a summer item, but you can use them all year. Who said it was illegal to grill burgers in the cold? But, since they’re typically kept outside, they are deeply discounted in summer clearance sales. If you’ve been waiting to get something special for the self-proclaimed chef in your family, this month is the last chance you’ll have to save on grills this year.
Bikes
The winter months aren’t a popular time for biking, and retailers know that biking is the last thing on our minds when we’re cuddled up by a fireplace. That, coupled with the fact that new models have been coming out, make September a great month to buy a two-wheeled ride. Stores will be trying to clear their inventory of the old models, so you can take advantage of the sales on those bikes. If you think you might need a new bike for next year, now is the time to buy.
Travel
If you didn’t get a chance to take a vacation this summer, consider a quick getaway in September. Most families have already sent their kids back to school, and summer vacations have come and gone. Everyone tends to be busy this month, so travel gets pushed aside. Even though travel isn’t popular right now, companies still need to fill rooms and seats. That means great discounts for you. Check out discount travel websites to find out which locations are on sale this month. There might just be a vacation in your future.
If you’re saving your vacation days to travel during the winter holidays, book your flights and hotel rooms now. Unless you’ve already purchased everything you need for your winter getaway, you’re taking a risk of having to spend more on rising holiday prices. The closer we get to November and December, the more expensive travel will become.
Leftovers
The sales of August have come and gone, but don’t let that discourage you. You can still take advantage of lingering sales. Labor Day sales brought great deals on mattresses, appliances and furniture. The weekend may be over, but you can still find these items up to 60 percent off. Back-to-school sales featured deep discounts on office supplies and dorm décor. There are still retailers offering as much as 50 percent off these items. (You’ll find the best back-to-school deals online.) Summer clearance sales are still happening, but they’re fading fast. You can get up to 80 percent off outdoor items like the ones I already mentioned.
Keep in mind that Black Friday and Cyber Monday will be here before we know it. If you want to skip the shopping madness, shop early for your holiday gifts. Every month has sales on different items. If you need something that’s on sale this month, don’t hesitate to buy it now.
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5 Items You Should Buy In September originally appeared on usnews.com
