August marks a time of year filled with transitions. Schools are starting back up alongside sports and extracurricular activities, set to coincide with the last vacations and barbecues of the summer. You can often score some great deals this time of year as well.
With Tax-Free Weekend, Labor Day, Back-to-School and End-of-Summer sales, and mad dashes for uniforms and supplies, you can save money shopping all August long. Here are 15 things to score now.
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1. Travel essentials
The end of summer marks the slowdown of the travel season. Right now, you can grab those travel essentials — luggage, packing cubes, luggage accessories, travel water bottles, etc. — for next to nothing.
If you want the fun colors of the spring and summer lines before they push them off the sales floor and into discount storefronts and online deals, now is the time.
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Sandals, open-toed shoes, athletic and running shoes, and more will be discounted from end-of-summer and Labor Day sales, while other shoes will be marked for “back-to-school” discounts.
After stocking for sales, clearance aisles are expected to be deep by the end of the month. This is the time to stock up on versatile and colorful options.
3. Grills
It may seem better to purchase grills during downtime for grilling. However, that isn’t when the sales are. Right now, big box stores are trying to move units.
Retailers like Sam’s Club, Costco, Menard’s, and Lowe’s will be hosting their biggest outdoor sales of the year around Labor Day. You will not find a better deal during the holidays.
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4. Laptops
Because it is the time of year to stock up on school supplies, laptops are discounted everywhere. If you live in a state that hosts a tax-free weekend, taking advantage of any sales on top of this perk can whittle that price down more.
Apple is known for making the deal sweeter around tax-free weekends by including gifts with purchase and extended warranties.
5. Summer fashion
Summer clearance shelves peak in abundance around this time in August. Stores are pushing new, seasonal clothing items for back-to-school specials to the front of their respective sections, and more items are being marked down to make space.
You can find some great staples and even start scoping holiday gifts in August.
6. Yard tools
While you might never get the price you want on that lawnmower, many yard essentials will be discounted in August.
Items that take up real estate — like lawnmowers, gardening sets, wheelbarrows, and more — will be on sale to help create more space for holiday items. Take inventory of your tools now while you’re out working with them, so you’ll be ready to hit the sales.
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Been looking for an office refresh? With back-to-school sales come discounts on office supplies. Nab new stationery, grab that case of gel pens you’ve always wanted, stock up on craft supplies, and more right now for the most budget-friendly prices you’ll find all year.
8. Special occasion dresses
A little birdie told us that if you’re looking for a special occasion dress, August might be the best time to shop.
It's early in the season to be looking for homecoming dresses, allowing you to grab your favorite dress before others do at discounts of up to 40% at retailers like Macy’s. Attending an upcoming wedding? Now could be the time for a deal.
9. Backpacks
Because of back-to-school, backpacks will be available in abundance and at great prices. If you’ve been looking for a casual, smaller backpack or sling bag alternative, now is the time to peruse the racks.
Some bags that might be considered in a travel sale or as a back-to-school item could work wonders for your needs.
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Realize you may need some camera equipment for your grandkid’s upcoming soccer season? Want to make sure you have phenomenal first-day-of-school photos? Do you want to document your life differently?
B&H and other big electronics and camera retailers will be hosting some of their biggest sales of the year during August’s end-of-summer stretch.
11. Headphones
At this point, most stores recognize earbuds and headphones as school necessities, so expect deep discounts. Either way, they’re almost always on sale at every major retailer in August.
Check out your favorites from Bose, Apple, Sony, and more at great prices in the coming weeks and set a soundtrack to your life.
12. Camping gear
Hiking backpacks, boots, mini grill kits, sleeping bags, tents, travel hammocks, and more will find themselves on end-of-summer endcaps and being marked down to make space for school items and other seasonal sportswear.
Check out the pre-Labor Day markdowns at Dick’s, Bass Pro Shop, Walmart, Costco, and more to stock your tote for next season.
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13. Outdoor plants and planters
As the summer months end, the outdoor and gardening sections of stores phase out and shift to accommodate holiday decor and more. Now is the time to grab some incredible plants for sale.
Be sure to check what zones they thrive in and whether they can be indoor plants, depending on your environment. But definitely scan the clearance area now for all plant things.
Bottom line
Labor Day is September 2nd, but many sales are revving up now. The weekend of August 2, 2024, is the designated tax-free weekend for states like Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, West Virginia, and others.
You can stack your savings more when you shop with one of the top rewards credit cards that lets you earn rewards on everyday purchases.
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