September is the time to buy…

Certain times of the year are the best times to buy various things based on sales and availability. Here is your tip sheet for this coming month:

∞ Cars: September is when new cars begin arriving at the dealers. They will then discount their older models to make room for new inventory. RV deals are common in the fall, too.

∞ Certain fruits: September is the time to buy apples, blueberries, cantaloupe, cranberries, honeydew melons, nectarines, peaches, Bartlett pears, and plums.

∞ Certain vegetables: September is the time to buy cauliflower, corn, eggplants, peppers, and spinach.

∞ Charcoal grill: After Labor Day retailers offer sales of as much of 30 percent off from now and until December. The best selection is available in the fall.

∞ Furnaces: Contractors and heating/cooling companies are not busy with emergency calls during this season, so they frequently will offer deals to sell appliances during their non-busy time.

∞ Jewelry: September (along with January, March, April, July and August) are non-gift giving months. Retailers are more likely to offer sales during these months to help promote business.

∞ Lawn mowers: To make room for their leaf machines and snowblowers, retailers will put their lawn mowers on sale. The closer to late fall, the more the discounts, but the less selection, too.

∞ MP3 players: Companies sometimes put older models on sale during this time to make way for the newer models they will introduce in the fall. Consumers can then try them out and then give then as gifts for the holidays.

∞ Plants, trees, and shrubs: Nurseries often drop their prices on these items in the fall to clear out their plentiful summer inventory. Now is the time to buy bulbs, too. Store them in the winter and then plant them in spring. Independent nurseries will often have larger markdowns and a wider selection than national retailers (big-box stores).

∞ Ranges, stoves, and dishwashers: New models arrive around this time of year, which means older ones will often be discounted. Cooking-related appliances also go on sale now for Labor Day.

∞ School supplies: Check local retailers for the last of their school supplies that they want to get rid of.

∞ Swimsuits: This is the time that stores badly want to get rid of swimsuits and other summer items they have left.

∞ Tires: To prepare your car for better traction in rain, snow and ice (winter), buy new tires now.

Sources:
– “Buy Ketchup in May and Fly at Noon: A Guide to the Best Time to Buy This, Do That, and Go There” by Mark Di Vincenzo
– “Your Month-to-Month Guide to Shopping Deals” from Real Simple magazine.