What to Buy in October

What to Buy in October

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What to Buy in October
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Cool October Discounts

When it comes to shopping, October is an odd month, sitting smack in the middle of the back-to-school frenzy and the holiday extravaganza. The coronavirus has made everything stranger, but there are still plenty of October deals to be had. The best buys range from leftover summer items to goods discounted in advance of the big shopping days to come. And don't forget: October concludes with Halloween.


Related: 30 Early Bird Holiday Shopping Gift Ideas

Halloween Stuff
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Halloween Stuff

Unless you thought way ahead and bought a costume and decorations last November, when prices were at their lowest, be on the lookout for bargains this month — because this naturally masked holiday may well be one that can run like something close to normal, despite the coronavirus. Traditionally, the closer the holiday, the bigger the deals, as retailers try to clear the shelves by Halloween, and there are fewer costume choices and sizes if you wait too long. The best time to buy is mid-month, when the selection is still decent and prices have started dropping.


Related: Halloween Costumes to Buy Now Before They Sell Out

Denim
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Denim

Much like the month of October, denim is in a down time between back-to-school shopping and the holiday season. Retailers want to sell off back-to-school denim and make room for the winter trends that will appear on gift lists, so keep your eye out for October deals on jeans. 


Related: The History of American Jeans: From Railroad to Runway

iPhone 11
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iPhones and Accessories

Apple got back to releasing new iPhones in September, with a four-phone Apple 13 lineup arriving Sept. 24 with better displays and cameras. That means now is the time to look to see if there are discounts on iPhone 12 models. Along with the release of an iPhone model comes new cases, headphones, and other accessories. If you have an older model iPhone, you can get accessories for less as retailers look to move them out. 


Related: 100 Tech Products That Will Make Your Life Easier

Summer Stuff
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Camping Gear
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Vacations
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Vacations

Prices on cruises and vacations typically take a dip in October, the shoulder month between summer vacations and holiday travel. With school back in session, many destinations aren't very crowded but still enjoy balmy and temperate weather. This year, though? After travel fell off a cliff in 2020 with coronavirus risks, conditions now are like the pandemic recovery itself: uncertain. If you have the confidence to plan travel, especially given restrictions facing holders of U.S. passports, this may be your moment.


Related: These Island Vacations Don't Require a Passport

Apples
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Seasonal Produce

October is when the fall bounty begins coming in, and some warm-weather plants produce their final yields. Look for cheap apples, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cranberries, grapes, honeydew melon, kale, leeks, lettuce, oranges, pears, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, and yams. If there's an apple orchard nearby, picking your own may be cheaper and make for a fun, socially distanced weekend outing, not to mention nutritious and budget-friendly meals


Related: 28 Fall Recipes That Showcase Seasonal Fruits and Veggies

Cars
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Appliances
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Wait: Appliances

September and October used to be a prime time to buy big appliances, because this is when new models are introduced. In recent years, however, big appliance deals have been popping up in November, especially around Black Friday, so if you can, hold off a few weeks before hitting the stores: In another unsettled year for retail, manufacturers and stores may try to make up for a lot of missed sales.

Cookware
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Wait: Cookware

Deals on pots, pans, and small kitchen appliances are also more enticing in November, so don't bother searching right now. Better to wait for holiday sales and other holiday discounts. 


Related: 24 Kitchen Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed


Before you go shopping for your holiday needs, consider installing the Capital One Shopping free browser add-on. It will instantly compare and find lower prices when you shop on popular stores like Amazon. It will also automatically search for available coupons and apply them to your cart at checkout, and help you earn rewards that can be redeemed as gift cards. (Available to all shoppers — Capital One account or credit card NOT required.) Sponsored.


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