It’s almost that time of year when we start to shop for the crazy, discounted outdoor fireplaces that go on sale annually right around… now. We’re big on outdoor fires and we usually manage to ‘burn through’ one a year. If we bought them at full price that would be insane; but since we wait for sales, the really crazy sales, we end up with a fresh, brand new, shiny outdoor fireplace to destroy every summer. Grills don’t last long around here either because as big as we are on outdoor fire pits, we’re even bigger on grilling out. Last year we got the most amazing three burner gas grill, with the side burner for the pot of beer, onions and green peppers to soak the brats in for $99.00. I love that grill. Grill covers, grill tools, fire gloves and fire starters… Go on sale at your local hardware and department stores. Personally, we rely on Menards but they are by no means the only ones with insanely low prices on late summer specials.
Department stores will soon have bargain bins that are overflowing with ‘summer stuff’. It’s not uncommon to see items ordinarily used during the summer slashed as much as 75% at this time of year, or within the next month or so. I love digging through those bargain bins. If you find one with toys for kids and you can scoop up a handful of them for let’s say a dollar (one dozen glow sticks for a dollar, separate all the glow sticks or a pack of temporary tattoos, you would cut out each one, for example) these make great Halloween treats instead of candy. The kids absolutely love them and the parents are happy about one less piece of candy.
Bags of glow in the dark dinosaurs can be opened and one dinosaur given to each child, the same can be said for army men or any other collection of toys that come in a bag or box that can all be separated. You’re spending a couple of cents on something that the kids will get a real kick out of, that won’t give them cavities. We actually look for these bargains all year long because sometimes after Christmas you can find little boxes and bags of the same kind of thing, once again on stupid sale. Those ridiculously high priced play sets (that only Bob Vila could construct) that you set up in your back yards are slashed to nearly manageable prices. The keyword there being ‘nearly’. Kiddie pools, pool toys, swimsuits, sandals, shorts, tank tops… You name it. If you use it during the summer months, it is more likely than not on sale right now or prices will be slashed soon.
It’s also time for those people that meant to have a rummage sale, garage sale, yard sale… What have you… all summer to get busy and bang one out. They want to get rid of that stuff and this late in the season many are willing to wheel and deal just to get it out of their house. The first day is always the best as far as variety and choice is concerned. The last day however is the best for making deals that could qualify as stealing in some states. I don’t worry about storing stuff at the end of a rummage sale. If it didn’t sell it gets donated. They come right to my house with a truck, they pick it up, they load it in the truck, they hand me a nice little receipt for my taxes, they drive away, and I’m a happy camper because now my garage is very nearly empty again instead of looking like the storage room at a secondhand store.
It’s too late to take advantage of it this year but some late summer sales take place earlier, sales on plants for example. Once everyone has planted their gardens and their crops are well on their way, those same plants go on sale for crazy low, practically giveaway prices. If you can wait just a little while to plant your garden you can save loads of money on your vegetables and flowers. Just pray for a warm autumn with no frost. Perennials can be planted late and whereas you may not be able to fully appreciate them this year they will bloom beautifully for you in spring. And you paid next to nothing for them, which makes them even more beautiful.
I guess that autumn is the frugal person’s dream season, with all the sales going on; but I hate to see the warm weather subside. Where my brother lives, all autumn means is that he has to store the lawn mower and prep the snow blower. It’s devastatingly sad to see summer come to an end… but at least you can save some money!
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