Shop During the Off-Season

At the end of each season, retail stores begin the burdensome task of clearing their season-specific inventory to make space for new inventory. You can take advantage of this switch. Holiday items, seasonal furniture, winter gear and summer clothing—pay attention to when stores begin to mark down their prices to move inventory, and buy something now that will benefit you next year.

 

Here are several items you can purchase during the off-season to save money. But don’t limit yourself to these alone; there are lots of ways to save by being conscious of inventory switches.

 

Swimwear

Are you a good predictor of changing fashion fads? If so, shopping for swimwear in the off-season can benefit you later when it turns warm out. Especially if you live in the colder parts of the world, shopping for reduced-price swimwear can help you save a bit more for that Hawaii trip you’re hoping to take come December. Think warm during the fall, and think cold when temperatures rise again.

 

Gardening Supplies

As long as you pay close attention to how to store your garden supplies to last through the winter, purchasing seeds, hoses and other equipment at the close of gardening season is a great way to save money. Look for discounts at plant nurseries and home improvement stores. Be mindful, however, that many nurseries will discount plants that don’t survive through cold conditions.

 

Patio Sets

Tables, swings, umbrellas and covers—start looking for reduced a priced patio set at the end of summer and keep looking through autumn. This is a fantastic way to save money on high-dollar furniture as these take up a lot of storage space at retail stores, and companies will be ready to drop the prices to save the room.

 

Sports Equipment

Have a fisher or hunter in the family? Pay attention to when fishing and hunting seasons close to benefit from reduced prices at retail stores. You just might find the perfect birthday or Christmas present for a family member at a much lower price.

 

Christmas Décor

This one can be tricky, because, once Christmas ends, it’s tough to remember that you’ll go through the entire process again in less than a year. So, hit the stores when Christmas is over, and try to hold on to that holiday spirit for a few extra weeks. Your pocketbook will thank you later.

 

Winter Clothes/Gear

Purchasing a down jacket in the middle of July might feel strange as you stand in the checkout lane, but that’s exactly what you should do if you’re looking to save money on winter clothes and equipment. Same goes with snow- and studded-tires, skis and snowshoes. You can apply this same strategy to camping equipment during the winter.

 

Shop during the off-season. With a little foresight and patience, you can save hundreds each year. If it helps, keep whatever you buy wrapped in its packaging—or still in the store’s bag—and open it just-like-new when the season changes in your favor.