Each
season brings key items that savvy shoppers can capitalize on by buying at the
right time. Today, the summer sales are
gone, and the holidays are just around the corner. By tuning in to what products get deeper
discounts in the fall, you can get a jump on Christmas shopping or update some
home purchases at a better price.
October,
November, and December is prime time to purchase items that stores consider out
of season. Here in the Valley, we can
also take advantage of national chain store pricing that caters to the needs of
northern shoppers, even when the details do not necessarily apply locally. For example, the fall is considered a good
time to go shopping for a lawn mower. While cold climate areas of the country are
prepping for a snowy season, stores are clearing their lawn mowers and making
room for snow blowers. To make this item
move, the price heads south.
The same theory applies for seasonal clothing. Now is the time to scour the sale racks for
swimwear, shorts, and short sleeves.
Stores are trying to clear these items out to make more room for
sweaters, long sleeves, and jackets. We
can essentially wear summer clothing year round, so why not take advantage of
the seasonal shift at our area clothing stores?
We can spend time outdoors throughout the year, but because the winter
is known for cozy time spent indoors, spring and summer accessories like patio furniture and grills are discounted in the fall and
winter to make inventories move to prep for next year’s styles.
With
the Christmas season approaching, you can start making your list and checking
it twice to plan for buying holiday discounted items. Black Friday is known for the price slashing
on high dollar items like electronics. Pre-holiday sales can start to appear on pots and pans and bakeware to attract holiday hosts who will be cooking
up a storm in the months to come. Toys are another hot ticket item that
starts to reveal lowering prices now to get shoppers’ attention so they
remember hot spots to shop at come November.
Look
over sales circulars in the mail and the paper, keep an eye out for sale and
clearance tags in stores, and do a little online comparison for products on
your wish list. By buying at the right
time, you may just end up with a plumped budget and the items you wants at the
same time.
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star October 21st.
