What to Buy and What to Skip in August
When school starts, many retailers begin offering their massive “end of summer” clearance sales. If you’re looking for genuine bargains in August, the tail end of the season brings with it some fantastic hidden finds—but a few heavily marked-up product traps, too.
To keep your family budget tightly on track, here is your official guide on what to add to your cart this month and what to leave on the shelf until later.
BUY: Patio Furniture and Outdoor Toys
August is the perfect time to give your backyard a face-lift on a budget. Retailers are slashing prices on patio dining sets, grills, and outdoor seasonal décor to free up warehouse space.
You will also find deep discounts on major outdoor toys like sandboxes, bicycles, and inflatable pools. When hunting for markdown playground equipment, check out online curators like Wayfair and Bed Bath & Beyond (formerly Overstock), or look for clearance tags in-store at local home improvement giants like Lowe’s and The Home Depot.
SKIP: Major Household Appliances and Mattresses
If you are in the market for a new refrigerator, washing machine, or mattress, put the brakes on your purchase for just a few weeks. Retailers historically slash prices on these big-ticket items by 30% or more during Labor Day weekend sales at the start of September. Plan ahead by checking out upcoming circulars in late August, but wait to swipe your card until the holiday weekend hits to land the absolute best pricing.
BUY: Swimwear and Summer Clearances
Stores and online retailers are in a desperate rush to completely clear out their remaining summer inventory to make room for autumn and winter lines. This gives you the perfect chance to snag premium swimsuits, cover-ups, and beach gear at rock-bottom prices. Stash your treasures away for next year’s pool season or keep them handy for a winter getaway to a warmer climate!
When my children were little, I would always shop for their clothes for the next year at the very end of each current season. I would routinely score nice outfits, shorts, and light jackets for just $4 or $5, as opposed to waiting until the beginning of the season and spending $30 or more for each individual item. It takes a little planning, but the savings are massive!
SKIP: iPhones and Apple Tech
If you’re looking to upgrade your smartphone, wait a month. Apple historically hosts its major keynote event and releases its newest iPhone lineup in mid-September. The moment those new models are announced, retail prices on older models typically see an automatic drop across major cell carriers. Whether you want to score a great discount on an existing model or you want the absolute latest features, you will get more bang for your buck by waiting until September.
BUY: School Supplies and Kids’ Clothing
August is the heart of the back-to-school shopping season, which means major retailers are aggressively competing for your business with steep price cuts on school essentials. Take this opportunity to stock up on folders, notebooks, pens, and markers to last your kids the entire calendar year.
Pro-Tip for Texas Shoppers: Don’t forget to time your shopping with the annual Texas Sales Tax Holiday in early August! During this specific weekend, the state completely waives sales tax on most clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks priced under $100, letting you stack state-wide savings on top of store clearance sales.
SKIP: Premium, Large-Screen TVs
If you are dreaming of a massive home theater upgrade, try to hold off. While retailers do offer minor sales on mid-sized “dorm room” TVs in August to catch the eye of college students heading off to campuses like Abilene Christian, Hardin-Simmons, or McMurry, the absolute lowest prices on premium, large-screen flat screens won’t arrive until Black Friday and Cyber Monday in November.
BUY: Office Supplies and Furniture
Because of the massive university and school push, back-to-school promotions extend heavily into home office categories. This makes August an excellent month to restock basic household desk supplies, upgrade your home office chair, or spring for a new study desk at deep bargain prices.
SKIP: Fall Clothing
Autumn apparel and heavy layers will be hitting the store displays at full retail price in August. Because these items are brand new to the shelves, you won’t see genuine, steep discounts on fall wear until mid-to-late October.
I am always so ready to start wearing my favorite fall sweaters and boots the moment the calendar turns, but try to hold off on buying the new arrivals until a little further down the road. If you absolutely need a few fresh transitional pieces for your wardrobe right now, skip the major department store markups and check out the hidden deals at local off-price retailers like Ross Dress for Less, TJ Maxx, and Burlington.
Navigating the retail calendar is an easy way to ensure your hard-earned money goes further. If you are planning a larger seasonal purchase and want to keep your budget on track, call, click, or stop by Abilene Teachers FCU to check out our competitive personal loan and credit card options designed to keep your financial goals moving forward!
