August Deals
What to Buy in August
August is all about back-to-school deals. Even frugal shoppers without school-age kids know they can find big discounts this month on items such as computers and home office supplies. This is also the beginning of the end of summer, so August deals include seasonal products. If your lawn mower has mowed its last, for example, add a new one to your list -- and check out our guide to the best cheap lawn mowers before heading out in search of August deals. Here are some other items consumers can find for cheap this month.
School Supplies.
Almost any school supply you can think of will be discounted or promoted with a coupon in the coming weeks. Look for August deals on common items such as paper, notebooks, pens, pencils, glue, rulers, calculators, folders, binders, and more. Now's the time for small business owners or anyone with a home office to stock up as well.
Backpacks.
Look for deep discounts, coupons from major retailers, and even door buster sales to get August deals on backpacks.
Kids Clothes.
This is the perfect time to get a jump-start on your kids' fall wardrobes. Check out our recent piece on cheap kids shoes for shopping tips and several styles we like, as well as our buying guide on cheap kids clothes.
Dorm Decor.
The back-to-school rush is hardly limited to grade school and high school. College campuses are gearing up to usher in a new crop of freshmen. If you have a college-bound student in the house, now's the time to look for discounts on dorm decor from retailers such as Walmart and Target. Even if no one in your family is near college age, take advantage of August deals on storage containers, linens, and other items you need at home.
Computers.
In addition to all the typical supplies, a new laptop or desktop is on many college students' shopping lists. Older model desktops will be on sale this month, as will most laptops -- savings that can benefit anyone, not just college-bound students. Our guide to cheap laptops includes a rundown of features to look for.
Summer Gear.
Beyond the back-to-school sales, consumers will see big discounts on summer items such as clothing, as retailers look to clear the racks for fall items. Now is the time to buy a truly cheap swimsuit (just try not to let your weight fluctuate too much before next season). Other August deals include sales on outdoor furniture, yard décor, and barbecue grills. (Keep an eye out for our recommended cheap grills.) Have young ones at home? Buy that kiddie pool now for next year.
Lawn Mowers.
Homeowners in most parts of the country won't need lawn mowers for much longer, so watch for retailers to mark them down. Gardening tools and other landscaping implements, such as tillers and weed eaters, also go on sale this month.
Seasonal Produce.
The late summer harvest yields fruits such as apricots, blueberries, grapes, mangos, melons, nectarines, kiwi, peaches, plums, raspberries, strawberries, and watermelon, all of which will be ripe and cheap. Readily available vegetables include corn, cucumbers, bell peppers, beets, eggplant, green beans, green onions, lettuce, okra, radishes, summer squash, and tomatoes.
