October 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 month:

∞ Cars: New cars often arrive at dealerships in September. October, November, and December deals on older models get better. RV deals are common in the fall, too.

∞ Certain fruits: apples, cranberries, honeydew melons, oranges, peaches, and Bartlett pears

∞ Certain vegetables: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, 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.

∞ Cookware: Along with April, May and November, October is a good time for buying cookware. This is the time when consumers are preparing for end-of-the-year holidays.

∞ 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.

∞ Jeans: Now that the back-to-school sales are over, you will see big discounts. Stores want to get rid of their excess inventory. This is also a time of lower demand, so prices will tend to be lower.

∞ 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.

∞ 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, dishwashers: New models arrive around this time of year, which means older ones will often be discounted.

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

∞ Toys: Stores often offer sales during the fall to jumpstart the holiday season. Look for deals on games, puzzles and toys.

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 http://www.realsimple.com, at http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/money/spending/best-time-to-buy-00000000028717/