Ever find yourself hesitantly purchasing an item you fear will go on sale a few days later? Fear no longer. Lifehacker.com, an award-winning daily blog, recently featured a guide on the best times to buy anything, all year round.
What to Buy in August
If you need a desktop computer, laptop, outdoor toy, camping equipment, children’s clothing, wine, linen or storage containers, purchase them this August, when consumers and retailers alike are looking to start the school year fresh. Here are the reasons behind these post-peak purchase deals:
- Older Computers: As big computer companies begin ramping up to release new gear, their older models can often be found for less money than usual. Though these items are discounted to begin with, make your purchase in August to get the cheapest of the cheap.
- Laptops: Back-to-school deals begin in August, when hoards of students begin to ready themselves for another year. Apple, for example, usually offers package deals this time of year (i.e. buy one Macbook Pro and receive a free iPod touch and HP color printer).
- Outdoor Toys and Camping Equipment: In August, retailers are ready to sell summer toys like squirt guns, portable pools, playgrounds, etc., for as much as 65% off as the pre-holiday season draws nearer, eToy.com’s Sheliah Gililand told CNN Money. Though your kids might not be using them right away, it might be worth the purchase and savings for the occasional warm day or even to stockpile until next summer.
- Children’s Clothing: Even if your child is not going back to school yet, you might as well buy him or her gifts now. Stock up on clothing that can keep your child warm and comfortable during both the fall and winter seasons.
- Wine: According to SmartMoney.com, August is one of the best months to secure some small, limited-release wines in the early fall harvest season.
- Linens and Storage Containers: While this product deal is aimed at dorm-bound college students, you don’t have to be a student to take advantage of these discounts. Seize the storage sale as an opportunity to organize your office before a busy work year.
Why it Works
The guide informs you on the right post-peak times to save money according to item by syndicating the advice of financial sites, gadget bloggers and other sources. Certain products suffer from slow sales during a specific period each year, most often because a new product is about to be unveiled or the majority of retailers are selling them at a discount.
Smarter Shopping
By using guides such as the one we’ve highlighted above you still make get the same quality of product, just at a better price. Smarter shopping does not necessarily mean frugal shopping: You can still buy what you want while saving strategically.
One interesting resource for savers is Cheapism.com. Cheapism.com is just like Consumer Reports or Amazon.com, but it only features reviews for affordable products. This saves bargain-minded shoppers the trouble of sifting through the dozens of upscale products that tend to emerge during any search for apparel or electronics.
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