What to Buy and What Not to Buy in August

By Barbara Pronin, RISMedia Columnist

Nearly everyone is buying back-to-school clothes in August – whether they are going back to school or not – and rightly so, since every item of clothing from kids’ socks to designer shoes will be on sale this month.

But August is a good month to save money on a variety of other goods – and a good month to resist purchasing certain other items. Consumer advocate Jenny Lee keeps an eye on shopping opportunities – and recommends a few purchases it might surprise you to make or not make in August:

• Buy jewelry – Summer is a prime time for getting good buys on both fine jewelry and costume pieces. They are discounted by merchandisers to boost lagging sales until the holiday and Valentine’s Day rush kicks in.
• Buy swimwear – prices will never be lower as stores clear space for back-to-school and fall/winter fashions. Stock up now for both adults and kids.
• Buy hotel packages – As traditional vacation time comes to an end, hoteliers are looking ahead at potentially empty rooms in fall and winter. Cruise various websites now to snag economical, book-ahead deals.
• Buy grills and patio furniture – The selection may not be as great, but prices will be slashed on what’s left in August to make room for winter-friendly merchandise.
• Don’t buy fitness equipment – Prices tend to go higher as summer wanes. That’s because people are looking ahead to exercising in cold weather. Wait till winter when competition between merchants yields better prices on exercise gear.
• Don’t buy furniture – sales are basically over now as the newest fall styles are coming into furniture stores. If you can do with what you have through the holidays, wait on buying new furniture until January.
• Don’t buy bicycles – It seems logical that bikes would be on sale during the warmer weather. But historically, the best prices on bikes will come just prior to the holidays.