October is one of my favorite months for finding good deals. Stores are clearing out summer merchandise, fall sales are happening everywhere, and the holiday shopping season is starting to ramp up. If you are trying to stick to a budget, knowing what to buy and when to buy it can make a big difference.
Here are some of the best things to look for during October.
1. Outdoor Furniture and Grills
If you have been wanting a new patio set, outdoor chairs, fire pit or grill, October can be a great time to shop. Retailers are clearing out warm-weather inventory to make room for winter and holiday merchandise.
The selection may not be as large as it was during the summer, but if you are flexible on color or style, you can find some significant markdowns.
2. Jeans
October is a particularly good month to look for denim. The back-to-school shopping rush is over, while retailers are still promoting fall clothing. Jeans for both adults and kids can be worth watching for during October sales.
This is especially helpful if your kids seem to outgrow their jeans overnight!
3. Halloween Candy and Costumes
If you need Halloween candy or a costume, keep an eye on prices as October gets closer to Halloween. Retailers want to move their remaining inventory, so discounts generally become better as Halloween approaches.
If you can wait until November 1, that is when you will typically find the deepest discounts. Of course, that doesn’t help much if you need candy for trick-or-treaters!
4. Holiday Gifts
October is also a good month to start your holiday shopping. Major retailers are holding large sales events, including Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days on October 6-7, Target’s Circle Deal Days and Walmart’s October sales event.
I recommend making your Christmas list before shopping these sales. That way, you are looking for specific items instead of buying random things simply because they are marked down.
5. Gardening Supplies
October can also be a good time to pick up gardening tools, outdoor supplies and other end-of-season items. Retailers are clearing out seasonal inventory, which can mean lower prices on products you can store and use next spring.
One Thing I Would Skip
If you don’t need new electronics right now, I would wait before making a major purchase. October sales can be tempting, but Black Friday and Cyber Monday are right around the corner, and traditionally bring some of the year’s biggest electronics discounts.
My biggest October budgeting tip? Don’t confuse a sale with a savings. Make your list first, check prices, and only buy something if it fits your budget and you actually need it. That’s how you turn a sale into real savings.
