June marks the start of summer, which for most consumers means spending more time outdoors. Add in graduation ceremonies and Father's Day, and June can turn into an expensive month.
To ensure you don't spend your summer budget in the first few weeks, Dealnews.com has created a buying guide of items you should and shouldn't purchase this month. Here are its tips:
Lingerie
June has usually been a great month for lingerie sales, but few stores can match Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale, which often lasts three to four weeks. Discounts get better toward the latter half of the sale.
Free donuts for Donut Day
June 2 is National Donut Day, and you may be able to get a free donut at Krispy Kreme, Tim Hortons, or Dunkin' Donuts.
Outdoor gear
Normally, seasonal goods don't go on sale until the end of the season, and prices on camping, fishing, and hiking supplies will definitely drop when cold weather comes. But you may be able pick up these items on sale in time to use them for summer.
Food and crafts for dad
Usually there aren’t any particularly good tool deals leading up to Father's Day. However, you may find some nice coupons at restaurants, so you can treat dad.
For something a little more lasting, look for free or cheap workshops to make Father's Day gifts.
Free fishing permits
This month, several states will allow free fishing on public bodies of water without requiring a fishing license in celebration of National Fishing and Boating Week. Usually, these licenses cost from $25 to hundreds of dollars depending on where you live and what type of fishing you'll be doing. Many states have 1-day licenses that typically cost around $10.
Before you head out, check these fishing gear deals, which more than double in June from the month before.
$1 family movies
Some local cinemas are offering $1 movie tickets on second-run family titles – films rated G or PG, and they first came out at least a few months earlier.
Fresh produce
Finally, all the bounty of the summer growing season is going to start rolling in at farmers markets. You'll likely see the effect at big supermarkets, too, where pints of blueberries and strawberries will drop in price by more than 50 percent from their midwinter highs.
What you'll get on sale this month really depends on where you are. But much of the country can expect berries, cucumbers, leafy greens, summer squash, zucchinis, tomatoes, corn, and peaches to start popping up in June. In conventional super markets, these items will be cheaper than they were over the winter. In farmers markets, it's tough to compare. Organic, local produce is usually expensive, but in terms of value, it offers amazing quality for what you're getting.
Gardening supplies
Now that the spring planting season is over, stores are eager to unload excess gardening tools and supplies. June provides lots of price lows on sprinklers, mulch, hose nozzles, and more.
Gym memberships
With more people opting to exercise outside, parents staying home with kids, and people going away for vacations, summer is a slow time for gyms. That means they'll be willing to make a deal when you sign up. Strengthen your negotiating position by being informed about their competitors, and walk away if necessary. If you can't get a discounted rate, at least try to get a month or two free, with no money down, and/or free classes and training sessions.
Items to avoid
Grills
The best time to buy a grill is in August or September. That's when you'll find discounts up to 50 percent. If you can, make do with your current grill and upgrade at the end of the season.
Amazon Echo or Google Home, if you're an Apple fan
Apple may unveil an Echo-like Bluetooth speaker, enabled with Siri, at its Worldwide Developers Conference this month. For those with Apples, this would be a better option than trying to work with a non-compatible voice-activated personal assistant.
Laptops
Back-to-school sales start at the end of this month, but don't really pick up until later. Even in July, they'll much better.
Almost any TV
The summer months are traditionally bad for TV deals, in that you don't see many offers and prices are higher than usual. However, if you must buy a new set, look for 55" TVs. Prices for sets of this size have plateaued at around $550 for name brand, and $400 for off-brand.
