8 Best Things to Buy in October

The downtime between back-to-school mania and the looming anticipation of Christmas and Thanksgiving leave most people in a quandary during the month of October. It’s a confusing time to be a shopper, indeed. The leaves change and so do the shelves, but you can always count on yearly sales cycles to keep you in the loop on what’s hot to buy and what’s not to buy. Let’s take a look at the best things to buy in October.

Denim

Stores that failed to clear their back-to-school shelves consider October the time to place discount tags on what’s been collecting dust since August. Procrastinating parents who bought their kids’ denim in early September have done their last-minute shopping. Now, retailers are offering killer deals on jeans that remain lingering in inventory. Deal scavengers should be able to find great offers at ROMWE, Express, d’ELIA*s, Buffalo David Bitton, and Osh Kosh B’gosh.

Cars

New models typically arrive to lots in late summer. End of the model year cars are considered “leftovers,” meaning salespeople will be eager to get the current year’s cars off the lot. Exemplifying this trend is AutoTrader, which is currently offering 16% off orders. The latest and greatest car offerings come in September and October. If it’s time to throw that 80’s Volkswagen out in trade for a shiny new Mercedes, it’s best to do it now.

Broadway Tickets

October is considered off-season for Broadway theatre. Go to ticket sites like Ticket Liquidator for 10% off. If you’re in the Big Apple during October and find yourself yearning for the thespian arts, catch a show for less.

Air Conditioners

Summer months are the most profitable for air conditioner retailers. Prices rise and lower with the temperature. After summer’s over, stores begin to clear their inventories. Cool prices can be found at Air & Water (7% off most items with code 7AFF), and big-name stores like Home Depot fluctuate their prices for air conditioners depending on the weather.

Grills

No, not grills. Those are almost never on sale. Per the rule of fall, summer-only items must go. Sears, Kmart, and Home Depot are currently giving deep discounts on sunny-weather goods, including grills. It’s best to buy now if you plan on cooking up some sausages when the sun comes out again.

Gardening—bushes, shrubs, bulbs, etc.

Harsh weather kills plants, and gardening stores know this. Online retailers like Garden.com, Gardener’s Supply Company, and Burpee aren’t expecting too many folks to plant flowers in subzero temperatures, and thus, throughout fall—especially in October—you’ll find great deals at these sites.

Sunglasses

The sun is no longer an adversary, and your eyes don’t need as much protection. GlassesUSA is offering as much as $100 off orders. Sunglass Hut, likewise, is discounting up to 40%. Be a Raybandit and steal those deals.

A Trip to the Tropics

Tourists have left by the middle of fall, leaving hotels likelier to give you a good deal. CheapTickets and Orbitz are offering outstanding discounts on travel. Everyone knows what it’s like to visit Hawaii or the Caribbean during the warm summer months (or at least seen pictures), but there are equal rewards to traveling during slow periods. No crowds, low prices, and unique weather.