Friday, October 03, 2014

October brings out cable knit sweaters, pumpkin lattes, and lots of Halloween candy. As a ‘swing month’ between summer and winter, it also offers a rich haul of bargains for shoppers eager to find them.

Begin with these October buys, consumer watchdogs recommend:

Denim apparel – In late summer every year, an overabundance of denim hits store shelves in time for back-to-school. With the rush over, there’s still a surplus, so look for noteworthy savings on jeans and denim jackets.

Office and school supplies – Same story here. Stock up now on pens, markers, notebooks and even computers, printers and paper before regular prices are resumed.

Gardening and outdoor goods – If the grill or the patio furniture needs replacing, now is the time to do it as stores clear their decks for incoming winter goods. From camping supplies to lawnmowers and shrubbery, October offers the best prices of the year.

Children’s toys – Many stores get a jump on holiday revenue by putting toys on sale in the fall. Look for sales and get a healthy head start on holiday shopping for the kids.

Fine jewelry – If you buy it during the holidays, you’re apt to overspend. If you wait till after Christmas or Valentine’s Day, you’ll be left with slimmer pickings. October is the time to search jewelry storefronts in search of tempting prices – or to call jewelers and ask about current sales.

Vacations – October is known as a ‘shoulder month’ in the travel industry, and deals on cruises and resort vacations are likely to be the best of the year. Check online or call a travel agent to find irresistible prices.

Cars – This can be iffy, but since new models come out in September, October can yield some great prices on ‘leftover’ current year models.

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