The holiday shopping frenzy hasn’t kicked off just yet.
But you can still find some post-season deals on items like patio furniture and in-season bargains on Halloween gear. Here’s what to buy and what to skip in October.
What to Buy
- Outdoor furniture and gear. Prices on outdoorsy things start dropping in October—patio furniture, gardening tools, grills, camping gear, you name it. Take advantage of the deals now, and you still might have time to enjoy your purchase before storing it for winter.
- Bikes. With cold weather right around the corner, bicycle retailers unload older models (traditional and e-bikes) at discounted prices this month. And it isn’t like you’d be getting a second-rate bike; they’re simply 1- or 2-year-old models that never left the store. Just looking for a tune-up? October is also a good time to get a new set of tires.
- Halloween costumes and décor. As with any holiday, the closer the calendar gets to Halloween, the steeper discounts you’ll see on related paraphernalia. This includes party decor, costumes, yard decorations, and candy. If you don’t mind a last-minute costume, you could save a bundle by shopping for Halloween in October.
- Autumn apparel. Retailers need to make space for the winter stock and will be discounting their autumn wear. So it’s a great time to find some in-between weather wear at great prices.
What to Skip
- Winter apparel. Warm-weather wear won’t start dropping in price until Thanksgiving at the earliest, and the best markdowns will only appear on shelves around the holidays. The weather is still mild in much of the country during mid-autumn, so there’s really no rush to purchase bulkier clothing.
- Cleaning supplies. Are you in the market for a new vacuum cleaner? Looking to score a deal on a robot sweeper? You’re best off waiting a bit longer, until Black Friday. On the biggest shopping day of the year, big-ticket cleaning items will see steep discounts.
- Electronics. If you’ve been patiently holding out on buying new electronics, try to wait just a bit longer. TVs, gaming consoles, laptops, tablets, and more will start dropping in price next month at Black Friday sale events.
- Appliances. Don’t spring for a new oven, refrigerator, or washing machine just yet! Not to sound like a broken record, but you’re better off waiting until Black Friday before dropping a load of money on new appliances. These sales start as early as November 1, so be ready.
