Unfortunately, summer is winding down. Although it’s difficult to think about the winter that’s coming, September is a great opportunity to shop at the Labor Day and other sales.
Look for deals on the following, as suggested by DealNews.com:
Summer clothing
You’ll be able to find great deals on summer clothing throughout September and at Labor Day sales, too.
Airfare
In general, about six to eight weeks before departure is when you want to book airfare for the best prices, so the end of September will bring the right time frame for Thanksgiving flights. Online travel agencies will likely offer sales for Labor Day, but the discounts might not be as great as they were pre-pandemic.
School supplies and student discounts
If you still need to buy school supplies, watch for retailers to offer last-minute savings as they try to clear out the shelves and make room for fall and winter items.
Major appliances
Labor Day is one of the last sales periods of the year when you can reliably expect savings on major appliances. You can shop the usual destinations such as Lowe’s and Home Depot, but also watch Best Buy and appliance manufacturers.
Mattresses
Labor Day is also an excellent time to shop for a new mattress, with online retailers and brick-and-mortar stores offering sales. You can find mattress deals past Labor Day, too.
Grills
Many people enjoy grilling long into football season and during the chilly temperatures of fall, but grills are still a summery item. Therefore, retailers tend to discount a variety of grills just in time for tailgating in September.
Patio furniture
With summer winding down, it’s a good time to shop for a variety of patio items. Discounts on patio furniture suitable for summer are to be expected, but September is a good opportunity to shop for other patio gear, too. For instance, consider shopping for items for winterizing your patio furniture and protecting it from the elements such as fire pit covers and water-resistant stackable patio chair covers.
For patio furniture, look for retailers to offer wicker ottomans and end tables, bistro chairs, and folding Adirondack chairs for reduced prices. With temperatures dropping, it’s also a great time to look for deals on fire pits and patio heaters.
Bicycles
September is also an good month for buying bicycles. A lot of people use bikes year-round, but demand drops when it cools off, so many outdoor retailers discount these items to clear their spaces.
Bedding and linens
While you’re shopping for a new mattress, look for discounted bedding to go with it. Some retailers may offer bundled deals on mattresses and bedding. If you don’t need those bundles, September should bring sales on different kinds of sheets and blankets, so it’s a good time to swap yours out for new ones.
Summer gardening gear
If you need new garden tools for summer outdoors work, you’re in luck. Expect to find products such as hand weeders, all-season garden hoses, rakes, hoes, and leaf blowers on sale.
National Coffee Day deals
Every year, National Coffee Day falls on Sept. 29, and many restaurants use it as an opportunity to entice customers with deals. Watch for doughnut shops and convenience stores to offer free coffees. Sometimes they’ll be completely free – especially for members of loyalty programs – while other times you might have to make a purchase such as a donut.
Previous-gen iPhones
Apple routinely announces new iPhones, Apple Watches, and other tech during a big event each September. This year, the Apple event will be on Sept. 9. Then, there may be permanent price drops on previous-generation models once the new iPhones come out. That could mean if you’re in the market for a new iPhone, you can get immediate savings by opting for the previous year’s model.
However, unless you see an excellent deal on an iPhone in September, it may be best to shop for one around Black Friday instead.
Laptops
Usually, Black Friday is one of the best times – if not the best time – to buy a new laptop, due to the volume of deals offered and the wide range of discounts. However, September could also be a winning time to shop, especially if you aren’t concerned with buying refurbished.
Fitness equipment
Fitness equipment tends to have its best prices in January and June, when many shoppers are motivated to get in shape. As warm weather starts to disappear, however, some retailers will offer exercise equipment deals as part of other seasonal sales.
TVs
TV is another category where it’s usually best to wait until November to shop, but some notable offers could pop up this month.
Home furniture
It’s not just patio furniture that has good deals in September; indoor selections could also see great discounts this month.
What not to buy in September
For Halloween items, wait until October to shop.
Travel deals may appear for Labor Day, but wait until November to book. There are usually a fair amount of cruise deals that pop up around Black Friday and Travel Tuesday, and in the winter months as people are looking for warm-weather getaways.
For fall clothing, November and December are better time to score a bargain.
You may see a few decorations in September, but the selection of these items will grow over the next few months, and the discounts probably won’t hit until November and December.
For toys, the toy hype is just starting to build in September, so the discounts won’t really be there. However, around Black Friday and into December, you’ll see a generous selection of toy deals.
Best wishes with your shopping. Remember to compare prices frequently.
