August is here which means back to school, last minute vacations and a whole lot of other expenses that may leave you scrambling to get control of your household’s budget. Even though expenses may be high this month, there’s still a few things you can actually save money on, which may come in handy in the upcoming months. With a few savings to get you through this busy and fast paced month, you may receive a breath of fresh air for all of your hard working juggling the budget. So, take a look around your home and see if any of these items will help you save even more cash in the long run.
1. Linens
If your linen closest is looking a little bare then this is the month to stock up on items such as towels and sheets. This month is popular for back to school sales, which includes items for kids taking off for their first stay in a dorm room. You may see items like twin sized sheets on sale more than other items, but if you have children then this is a great time to stock up to ensure they have what they need to stay comfortable. This doesn’t mean that larger sheet sizes won’t also be on sale though, so make sure to look. Often, a lot of these items will make it to the clearance rack too, so don’t forget to comb over the area to see if you can find something that strikes your fancy. Of course, if you’re looking to save, don’t fall for a lot of the thread count gimmicks. Towels are another must have for this month. Generally, a good towel can cost an arm and a leg, but with the college dorm sales going on you can easily take to the sales rack and stock up your home. Of course, don’t forget to look for items like blankets and comforters too as they will also have some pretty amazing discounts.
2. Canning Supplies
Autumn is a great time for canning, so make sure you’re prepared for the abundance of delicious produce that is about to head your way. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should over look today’s produce either. Now may be the time to enjoy jamming your favorite berries and creating tasty tomato dishes. All the same, you’re going to need an abundance of canning supplies to take care of business. Now is definitely the season to buy them though. Canning isn’t as popular right now so a lot of the supplies will be on sale. You’ll definitely want to check out mason jar sets, but don’t forget other items like canning salts and a special pot. Buying these supplies on sale are a great way to start your family out on the savings, especially since the food will help you get through the winter.
3. Office Supplies
If your office is looking a bit bare then it may be time to stock up on some goodies in order to keep you running efficiently throughout the rest of the year. Since it is back to school season, you’re in luck. All of the paper, pens and minor accessories like post-its and paper clips will definitely be on sale to help you save the maximum amount of money. Of course, an office needs more than just these things to survive. Luckily, printers, ink and other major office buys will also have some major discounts that may entice you to buy. Of course, if you’re looking for these items, you may want to stop by your local office supply store. Many are actually having closing out sales, so you should be able to find what you need on clearance. This includes the desk and comfortable chair you’ve had your eyes on for some time.
4. Summer Apparel
Sure, summer is almost over, but that doesn’t mean the heat won’t be hanging around for a little while longer. Thus, when you’re shopping for school clothes, you may want to keep in mind that the summer heat is currently reaching its peak, so cooler clothes are going to be a must for a while. Of course, you can always shop ahead for next year too. Try buying a size or two bigger so that everyone will be able to have comfortable clothes the moment the heat returns. Luckily, summer clothes are already starting to hit the clearance racks, especially as back to school clothes move in. Everyone is getting ready to look their best for autumn, so the summer stock gets pushed to the side, which means even more savings for you. Try to stock up on shorts if you can because they’re always a must have for the entire family. Of course, you can also look for shorts that can double as gym clothes, especially for kids who must take in their own clothing for P.E. Also, you may want to consider swim suits and other summer must haves before the clothes leave the shelves entirely.
5. Seeds
If you’re planning a garden next season, or if you want to get a jump start on your autumn planting, then now is the time to pick up your seeds. August is actually when seeds are at their cheapest, so you should be able to find even the most expensive of seeds at an affordable price. Better yet, a lot of places will actually give away seeds, which will come in handy if you’re still on a tight budget. With the last of the summer harvests happening, seeds are readily available and often people have more than they can handle. You may want to check on local boards, like Craigslist, to see if anyone has something that you’d like. You may also look around to see if items like soil or containers for seedlings are also on sale. With any luck, you can find just what you need to make an impact on your garden as soon as the correct season rolls around.
6. Patio Furniture
The days of hanging out with friends and family on the porch aren’t over yet. Luckily, in August, you should be able to get the set you’ve had your eye on all summer. This month, patio furniture takes a huge dip in sales which is certainly going to make it even more enticing to replace your old and worn out set with a little something new. Usually, it is best to buy the set rather than individual pieces, but if it suits you to buy items separately you should still be able to get a great discount on each item you choose. Of course, it may be wise to grab some weather proofing items before you set your new furniture out as the dry season will soon be changing. Also, if you want to start next season off with a bang then you might want to consider leaving your new items boxed away and presenting them when the good weather strikes again.
7. Laptops
The moment we’ve all been waiting for is here! Laptops are finally at a great price. Of course, with back to school sales come the great savings on laptops for all of the college newbies heading to their first year. So, now may be the time to start shopping around for the model you’ve had your eyes on. Make sure you browse through as many back to school sales as you possibly can in order to compare more prices. Also, you may want to download a shopping app which will help you figure out who has the best item. Sometimes, the app will even help you reserve the item so you won’t have to miss out on the awesome deal. If you’re coming up empty on laptop deals then don’t be afraid to hold out. This month usually brings tax free weekends, so keep an eye out for this major sales event. Also, some stores will begin Labor Day sales early, which will also offer big sales on laptops. Of course, make sure you’re getting the laptop that’s right for you in order to reap more advantages.
8. Winter Travel Deals
It doesn’t matter if you’re currently on your vacation or you just got home, right now is the perfect time to start booking your winter vacation. If you can secure time off at the office then try to get everything taken care of as soon as you can. This is especially true if you’re going to be staying at a ski lodge at some point during the season. The slopes generally open up in October, which, believe it or not, isn’t too far away! If you get a spot early in the season you may not have to worry about crowds, which will come in handy if you want to get the most out of your vacation. Of course, if a ski resort isn’t on your agenda you should still book soon. This is especially true if you intend on traveling during the holiday as some locations fill up insanely fast. Also, booking early for abroad locations is also a must so you can get all of your VISA information in. This is especially true when it comes to airfare, but always try to get a deal that allows you to change your flight without a fee.
9. Snow Equipment
You may be dreading the idea of shoveling snow already, especially after the amount the country got last year. However, if you want to keep ahead of the game and save some big money, then you might want to look into buying your snow gear in August. There’s lots of great deals on the items, especially since many companies are prepping to put out new models in the upcoming months. So, you should be able to find a lot of your must have items on clearance or sales aisles. One important item you should look for during this month is snow blowers. They’ll probably offer you the biggest savings, so don’t wait if you need one. Of course, you should also be able to find a lot of other items on sale too. Try to look for tire chains, ice scraper and items to help prevent slick surfaces on your sidewalks and driveways. Of course, if you plan on going the old fashioned way then a snow shovel is probably incredibly easy and cheap to find during this time too.
10. Summer Produce
Sadly, the summer produce is about to out of season, so now is the perfect time to stock up on your favorite items. Melons and many berries, for starters, will soon make a huge price leap which may make your budget grow too. Luckily, these items are incredibly easy to transform into other dishes so that you can make precooked meals for all of those busy school afternoons. You may also want to consider freezing a lot of the items so you can enjoy them throughout the year. You can easily place them in freezer bags, make them into pies or turn them into preserves to help stretch the summer supply further. Many of the summer fruits make great additions to holiday celebrations, so don’t forget to take that into consideration when you’re planning a budget. After all, the less you spend on your holiday meals during the holiday, the better off your budget will be.
Shopping in August is sure to leave you feeling great about everything you bought. You’ll no longer have to fear your shopping bills for this month since there’s so many amazing things to save on. With a little shopping know how, your experience may surprise you and keep your budget down in the upcoming months.
