Thrifty consumers will purchase different cost-effective items according to the season, as the types of discounted products vary depending on the season. One shopping behavior to avoid is buying a popular item at full price, as it often means missing out on discounts and having to pay the regular or even higher price.
Financial website Gobankingrate, citing retail finance expert Melanie Musson from Clearsurance.com, stated, “The items needed the most in summer are also the most expensive in summer. Air conditioners, swimming pools (and related equipment), and fans are typically pricier in summer as people have a high demand for them, leading to buying them at full price if not planned in advance.”
Here are five summer essentials that should not be purchased at full price according to the website’s compilation.
Musson mentioned that summer is a great time to find deals on spring decorations. Retailers usually clearance out spring inventory at the end of the season to make room for summer stock.
Clearance items range from floral-themed home decor and wreaths to vases and subtle tableware, providing a wide array of choices. If preparing for next year’s shopping, June and July are the best months to snag these items at low prices.
During early summer, shoppers typically find lower prices on plants and seeds. Musson added, “Of course, buying in-season during summer sales may limit the enjoyment of certain outdoor plants, but for perennials, you get years of growth and flowering.”
By purchasing seeds at a discount this summer, one can plant them in the spring of the following year. “While germination rates may decrease after a few years, planting this year’s seeds next spring should yield similar results to planting them this spring,” she explained.
Although grills and patio furniture may be priced higher at the start of the season, their prices often drop around August and September.
According to Reader’s Digest, the best time to save money on buying a grill is late summer to early fall, with experts recommending waiting until Labor Day or later in September. While the selection may be slightly limited, saving a significant amount of money is worth the wait.
The same goes for patio furniture. Better Homes & Gardens suggests that the best time to purchase outdoor furniture is from late August to early October, as retailers begin clearing out inventory for the fall and holiday season products.
Schools have just gone on break, but back-to-school deals are already abundant. The Krazy Coupon Lady reported that Staples’ back-to-school deals start in June and last through September.
For Amazon shoppers, Prime Day from July 8th to 11th offers some of the best deals on items from backpacks and pencil cases to tech products. The official announcement for Prime Day 2025 states that Prime members can purchase school tech items starting at $15 and enjoy up to 40% off learning supplies.
If planning to upgrade the kitchen or laundry room, summer is one of the best times to shop. According to blogger Angi, retailers offer bigger discounts on appliances during several holidays like Independence Day and Labor Day, and various summer sale events are organized for appliances.
However, Angi pointed out that the demand for kitchen appliances remains high throughout the year, which means their prices do not see significant drops like other household appliances.