On the Hunt for Bargains:
Maureen F.
Frugal fall tips.
If you like to save money, you’ll love snagging these fall bargains.
Discounted costumes. While an older child may not want you to dictate what he’s going to wear virtually a year in advance, small children or impending babies are perfect recipients of Halloween costumes that are 50% off or more. If you have boys, you know it’s slim pickins’ to find dress up clothes, so it’s a good time to stock up on fireman, pirate and doctor costumes for imaginative play throughout the year; a few super heroes probably wouldn’t hurt, either. Start scoping out the aisles the day after Halloween; deeper discounts will come a week or two down the road.
Sale candy. Those Halloween wrappers drastically decrease the value of their contents come November 1. As my mom will attest, you can freeze them to enjoy for months to come. Or you can stick to items you know you’ll use in your holiday baking. Those little button shaped candies can be separated by color and saved for cupcake, cake pop and cookie decorating projects. And I’ve found that candy corn soften up nicely in the microwave. I’m just sayin’…
Garden supplies. Depending on which climate zone you live in, there still could be time to plant shrubs and trees before the first big frost. If it’s too cold and you have the basement space, you could always store them until spring. Any fall foliage supplies left at your local nursery will be priced to move—they’ve got to make way for holiday trees and all the trimmings. It’s also a great time to pick up gardening tools, soil, pots, and even lawnmowers.
Summer sporting goods and patio equipment. Now’s the time to get great deals on golf clubs, golf clothes, camping gear, running shorts, tank tops and any swimsuits that still may be lurking about. Retailers are also looking to unload whatever patio furniture, deck boxes, benches, grills, fans and swing sets they still have on hand.
Back–to-school supplies. I’ve been so tempted to grab this stuff by the armload as I’ve seen it 70-90% off on my travels through the local marts. The bargain shopper in me finds it hard to resist but my husband will not be happy if I bring any more stuff into our house. But you could certainly capitalize on all the notebooks, folders, backpacks and lunch bags left out there. That you’ll always need.
“Old” car models. The 2013s already started rolling out in September, so that means dealers are in desperate need to get the remaining 2012s off the lot. From what I’ve read, the same holds true with bikes, canoes, kayaks and major appliances. Go figure. Make sure to check out Edmunds.com for the best prices.
Holiday sales. Since the Christmas rush seems to start earlier and earlier each year, cash in on all the gift items already starting to go on sale right now, like cooking supplies and small appliances, electronics and tools.
Whatever you’re in the market for, don’t forget about the art of negotiation. The seller’s need to get rid of the item may be greater than your desire to buy it, so don’t be afraid to ask for even more money off.
100% Like It
Michelle B
Posted:
Nov-20-2012
For my daughters, and youngest son .. I like to buy up all of the halloween costumes and masks, and put them aside for Christmas .. I make the girls a dress up trunk and same thing for my son .. Give it to them in a new toy box or tote decorated with stickers .. I also use the back to school supplies .. and make kits up with extras, like special pens, markers, etc .. and also they sell backpacks, lunchboxes, helmets, skateboards, bubbles, chalk, and some other things cheap .. that I grab and save or give for presents .. Holiday sales don't do a whole lot so I start shopping in September .. and stop a day or two before black friday .. .. and if forced to go out and get bigger electronics, I will grab those deals ..
Cynthia C
Posted:
Nov-06-2012
I always look for out of season sales every time I go to any stores.
Clara S
Posted:
Nov-04-2012
Right now a lot of stores have foil and parchment paper on sale as well as ziploc containers. I brought a bunch last year using coupons and PG rebates. Came in real handy for gift baskets and for guest wanting to take something home.
Michele K
Posted:
Oct-27-2012
I have 5 children and each year at Christmas instead of putting name tags on presents I wrap each child's in the same paper. Buying wrapping paper after Christmas is a must. I then use the left over from last year to wrap other family members the next. This helps with the snooping too.
Eileen L
Posted:
Oct-26-2012
Only buy what you need or will be using. I'm so against cleaning out the shelves just to hoard so the next person doesn't have anything to purchase.
Pam H
Posted:
Oct-25-2012
I always shop clearance if it is something I use alot of time you can get different things for the next year 75% off. I love DEALLLSS!!!!
Amanda G
Posted:
Oct-24-2012
The idea of buying next years costumes this year is a super good idea! You are right back to school stuff is on sale for super low prices Walgreen is a good place for that!
Shirley M
Posted:
Oct-23-2012
My husband was a school teacher and he liked to give out candy canes to all the kids at Christmas time. I would by the candy canes at the dollar store after Christmas for .25 a box and save them for the following year. Since he was a Junior High teacher and had a lot of students, this saved us a lot of money. I also bought a teddy bear after Valentines day, snipped the threads and took off the heart that was loosely sewn to it's paw and had a cute bear to give as a gift at Christmas time.
Cindy G
Posted:
Oct-23-2012
Fall is a great time to buy perennials. They may look dead, but they will come to life in the spring or summer. I've saved a lot of money buying dead looking perennials in the fall!
Dr. J. S
Posted:
Oct-23-2012
There have been a ton of discounted halloween costumes in the Salvation Army/thrift type stores--check them out!
Jaisree R
Posted:
Oct-22-2012
I always try to buy stuff after the holidays or after the big rush because everything always goes on sale for 50% or more off :)
Angie W
Posted:
Oct-22-2012
I always buy my decoration when they go on sale after the holidays. Then I get a better deal and I am ready to decorate the following season.
Sarah G
Posted:
Oct-22-2012
Buying candy after a holiday is the only way we get our candy. It still tastes good to us! After Christmas we stock up on wrapping paper and cards for the next year.
Stefanie S
Posted:
Oct-22-2012
Great ideas. I just shopped the goodwill for costume supplies and got everything really cheap. I also do a lot of shopping after the holidays to stock up on decorations for the next year.
Amanda M
Posted:
Oct-21-2012
I worked in an office supply store for years and used to hear the grumbling parents over the prices. I always wanted to say hold the teachers off a couple weeks cause we will be pushing this stuff out for pennies. The parents will pass it over in October when the notebooks are .10 cause the kids don't need it then. Yet, when they've destroyed it in February are back complaining because they are paying so much more than the back to school price. I always want to say hmmm maybe you should have picked a few up during the clearance sale. My mom always had a cupboard of supplies that she picked up on clearance, it wasn't the pretty fancey stuff we liked but it was the stuff we went to when we ran out and she never had to pay the huge prices through out the year.
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