October is blowing right in, which means there’s a whole new group of shopping challenges to get through. In all technicalities, you could even look at October as the beginning of the holiday season as Halloween jumps in only a couple weeks before Thanksgiving. This probably means your home is in savings mode, but don’t fret because there will be some sales in October that will keep you going strong without spending a small fortune. These ten shopping tips should give you a great start to your autumn, while allowing you to jump ahead for holiday shopping without spending too much money.
1. Costumes
You might think that the best time to get Halloween costumes is after the holiday has come gone. This actually used to be true, but in the past couple of years things have changed a bit. Amazon, for instance, now knocks 70% off of some of their costumes a couple of days prior to Halloween and some will even upgrade the shipping to 1-Day shipping at no extra cost. This can get you an amazing costume that will be right on time for your child’s trick or treating adventure. The Amazon sales do last a while too, as you can still get great deals after the holiday is over, but you may not find the same prices on some of the more popular items. If you’re not keen on shopping online for your costume, then you may want to check out some Halloween stores. The stores that are dedicated entirely to Halloween will probably offer some great steals as they will need to clear their stock faster than party stores will. So, you may find some pretty incredible prices, that may even encourage you to shop ahead for next year or playtime clothing.
2. Jeans
Back to school sales brought some great prices on jeans, but sales on your favorite denim is better in October. Since most people bought their fill of jeans back in August, the stores can afford to put their stock on sale at an extraordinary price in October. Not to mention, with new fall fashions on the shelves, the stores can start getting rid of last year’s jeans to help make room for the new and more expensive items they want to sell. This is a great time to stock up on the jeans the whole family needs to get through the week. You might even consider buying larger sizes for later in the year, or so you don’t have to worry about spending more on jeans next time back to school sales come around. If you shop around, you may find some of your favorite brands may even offer better deals than cheaper brands, which will save you even more money thanks to their more durable designs.
3. Hot Spot Vacations
If you were unlucky enough to miss out on a nice summer vacation, then your luck will change in October. Now is the time to book those hot spot vacations that simply weren’t feasible during tourist season. Trips to places like Hawaii, the tropics and other must see locales won’t cost you as much of a fortune as it would have back in the hot months. This is because the tourist season has dropped and hotels, airlines and restaurants can now lower prices to cater to those who still want to enjoy themselves on a budget. The best thing about going during this time of the year is the hot spots will be less crowded, which is always a must. In some locations the weather won’t be as hot either, which will be a nice change. Cruises are another must to book if you’re looking for a hot getaway to help you relax. You can travel all over the world during the month of October at a price that won’t make you feel guilty. So, get to booking now, so you can get in the relaxation you need to get through the upcoming holiday season.
4. Thanksgiving Travel
If you’re more worried about how you’re going to handle Thanksgiving, then now is also the perfect time to book for that vacation. You should be able to get in your airline tickets without worrying about the high prices of traveling, just yet. However, if you wait too long then the prices will skyrocket. Apart from airline travel, you may want to begin the process of booking hotels. If you’re staying in one place, then make sure to get in your reservations to ensure you have a place to sleep while enjoying your destination. If a road trip is in your Thanksgiving forecast, then you might want to even book the hotels you’ll stay at along the way. You don’t want to end up staying in a dive simply because there aren’t rooms available in hotels you’d feel more comfortable staying in while on the road. Now is also the time to get in reservations for rental cars too, so you’ll be ready to go and get a better deal than anyone who procrastinates during the season.
5. Columbus Day Sales
Not all states celebrate Columbus Day, but most stores use it as a reason to sell a lot of their items. This could be a great time to get a head start on some of your holiday shopping. Columbus Day sales usually encompass a wide range of items. You can find everything from mattresses to appliances on the list of sales items. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should go crazy for every item you see. You may want to consider looking at décor items and smaller ticket items to save on some money. This will be the last sale before Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so if you’re not sure a deal is worthwhile then you won’t have too long to wait before the larger sale arrives.
6. Tacos
Taco fans can rejoice because the month of October brings National Taco Day on the 4th,which is sure to help you ease your cravings at a lower price. You will find deals on tacos just about anywhere you look, especially when it comes to major chains. You’ll probably find free tacos with a visit to your favorite chain, but if not then you should find some with some major discounts on them. Apart from that, local stores will probably get in on the fun too, so you may be able to hop from one location to the next in order to get the delicious food you crave. If you’re not interested in fast food tacos then many stores are jumping on the bandwagon and reducing the price of items needed to make your own tacos at home.
7. Vegetarian Cuisine
If you’re a vegetarian or you’re curious to try the lifestyle, then October is the month for you. Apart from the amazing produce available during this month, October 1 is actually National Vegetarian Day. This will make shopping for items to whip up the dishes you love even easier. Of course, many grocery stores still don’t observe this day, but you will probably have a lot of luck on discounts at restaurants who cater to vegetarian and vegan diets. Even regular restaurants may lower the price of menu items that are designed for vegetarians. This will allow you to get a taste of the food you might eat if you were to follow the diet. Of course, if you’re a vegetarian then you probably know just what meal you’ll want to grab on your special day, which will make the month of October even more exciting.
8. Wedding Supplies
October marks down the season for weddings, which is pretty much good news for anyone who is planning to get married soon or in the distant future. Booking a hall or church to get married in during this time is sure to make you feel like a weight has been lifted off of your shoulders since the price won’t be out of this world. That is, unless you’re booking it in advance for the hot season. All of the supplies you need will be on sale too. So, if you already have a theme picked out then go ahead and buy the dresses, tuxes, décor and anything else you have in mind for your special day. This will cut back on spending in the hot season. Of course, you should be careful with dress planning, especially if you’re buying the dress well in advance. Planning a wedding for this season is probably best though, especially if you plan on keeping it small. It may be harder for people across the country to come to the wedding, but you won’t begin your new life in debt, which is always a plus. So, let your wedding dreams run wild as you’ll definitely be able to afford more when it comes to the months of October and November.
9. Flu Supplies
Like it or not, but flu season is rapidly approaching, which means it might be time to take inventory of your flu fighting supplies. This month is the perfect time to stock up on relief medications, vitamins and other supplies used to fight off and prevent the burden that is the flu, including cleaning supplies. You’ll want to make sure you have a stock of children’s medication too if you have children in the family as taking care of them often trumps your own needs. Since the flu usually begins to make its way into the main stream in November, October is the perfect time to get your shot. It takes 2 weeks for the shot to kick in too, so make sure you get it well in advance so you don’t end up getting sick. Many pharmacies and health clinics will keep the price of the shot down for now. Of course, you may also want to check with insurance to see if they cover the total cost of the vaccination too.
10. Vacuum
If there’s one thing you should probably get to keep your home functioning this month, then it’s a vacuum cleaner. These devices are at a low price during the month of October, so you should be able to upgrade your old vacuum or at least replace a rundown model with a newer version of itself. With all of the mud, leaves and other grime appearing outside, your vacuum will quickly become your best friend when it comes to cleaning. You may even want to upgrade to a model that can help get allergens out of the air. Of course, you’ll also want to consider the design of the model you choose. Many models are a little outdated and get clogged quickly, so you may want to research a little if you have pets or you shed a lot. You may also consider the upcoming pine needle fiasco the household goes through every December. With a little bit of looking around, you’ll find a great match for you at a price that won’t hurt your budget.
October is a month filled with fun that you won’t want to miss out on. However, the fun often cuts down on the budget we have to work with. These ten items should have you enjoying the month of October a little more, without spending as much money. With a frugal October under your belt, you’ll be ready to tackle the holidays straight on.
