What to Buy in September
September marks the end of summer and the start of school, which means there are plenty of deals to be had in various categories. Summer clearance for apparel, gardening, and grilling gets marked down in September, and the Labor Day sales offer you some of the lowest prices you will see before Black Friday. In some cases, Labor Day sales may be even better than Black Friday offerings when you consider quality.
Retail Deals
- Summer Apparel Clearance
- Home Appliances
- Back to School Supplies
- Lawnmowers
- Grills
- Gardening Tools
- Computers
- Extra-Long Sheets
- Kitchenware
- Baby Items
- Patio Furniture
For parents with kids going away to college, it is usually a good idea to wait until September to buy items for dorm rooms. Computers are on clearance, and dorm accessories like sheets, bedding, kitchen utensils, and closet organizers are on sale. Back to school sales are also hitting their peak in September, so you can stock up on everything your child needs for school and the dorm.
Grocery Deals
September is National Chicken Month and National Breakfast month, so you will be able to find great deals on frozen and fresh chicken products. You will also find great bargains on anything you could want for breakfast.
Since it is also back-to-school season, you can expect to see sales on lunch meat, juice boxes, and individually packaged snacks for lunch boxes. September is a good time to stock up on canned tomatoes and tomato-based soups, as this delicious fruit is in-season in September.
- Wine
- Canned Tomatoes
- Bread
- Lunchmeat
- Chicken
- Frozen Breakfast Foods
- Grilling Meats
- Condiments
In-Season Produce
- Apples
- Carrots
- Cabbage
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Okra
- Peppers
- Onions
- Broccoli
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
- Grapes
- Leeks
- Corn
Miscellaneous Buys
- Holiday Airfare and Hotel Reservations
- New Cars
If you are planning on traveling for Thanksgiving or Christmas, September is the best time to book your airfare or hotel room. The closer it gets to the holidays, the more expensive tickets and accommodations will be. Airlines often post their lowest prices of the season in September.
Also, cars for the current model year often hit their lowest prices of the year in September, since most dealerships want to have a full inventory of next year's models in place by the end of the month.
Additional Notes
Labor Day falls on the first Monday after the first Sunday in September, and retailers have big sales for this holiday. Expect to see clothing, luggage, furniture, and electronics on sale for Labor Day. Many retailers add an extra percentage off on clearance for this holiday as well, so it may be the best time to buy a grill, lawn mower, or bathing suit. Be sure to compare deals from different retailers to get the best price possible.
