The emergence of technology has led to a fast paced society. How fast can I get my food? How fast can I get from here to there? This emphasis has led to a shift in our desires, and it hasn’t been kind to our wallets. I am just as guilty of this as the next person, but when it comes to buying new stuff, we want them now and we want to use them now. In season items are significantly more expensive than items that are far from their intended season. If you can leave the crowd and make your own path of patience, you may just end up finding your wallet a little bit thicker.
What initially spurred my curiosity about buying items out of season was my experience shopping for a new humidifier. My fiancé and I were getting fed up with the dry air in our apartment and decided a humidifier may help with sleep and stuffy noses. I went to Target to see what I could find. Little did I know that February is a great month to buy humidifiers because the driest months end when the cold weather does, meaning that stores begin to drop the prices of related items around this time. I would love to say this was intended, but I would be lying. I ended up saving 30% on a humidifier, getting a $50 appliance for just $35.
Decorations are only relevant when they are needed. This means stores drop their prices significantly after the decorative season is over. My future sister in law and her husband used this knowledge last year immediately following Christmas. They knew they were going to move into a new house during the year and wanted Christmas decorations. They purchased a new artificial Christmas tree, ornaments, outdoor lights and garland. This all would have been close to $300 at full price, but they ended up buying most of the items on sale between 75-90% off. This meant well over $200 in savings. Their patience paid off and their new house looked quite festive this holiday season.
Jackets, hats and gloves are items used predominantly in the cold. This means they are all but worthless during the warmer seasons. Winter coats start to go on sale at the end of the season, and this can lead to large savings if you plan correctly. Shopping for swimsuits, shorts and other warm season clothing can lead to similar savings in the fall.
You can avoid the “need it now” crowd and shop for items out of season. If you have the available space to store your items, this is a no brainer. You will save hundreds of dollars throughout the year.
These are just three examples of how out of season items can save you big, and there are many more. Are there any items you bought out of season that saved you a good chunk of change? Let us know!
I am glad to hear all the stories of buying out of season. Long, interesting you mention the area you live in. I didn’t think of that with Minnesota having 4 distinct seasons. I am sure it is a bit different.
I’ve done plenty of out of season shopping. One summer in Florida, I went to a consignment store. I always checked their back room for the best bargains. Even though it was sweltering, I bought a heavy cordouroy pant suit — jacket and slacks –for $3. I’ve worn the outfit for several winters now.
I got a weed whacker for the yard one November for almost nothing. Walmart needed the shelf space for Xmas. I just kept the thing in the box in my garage until spring.
Most recently, I hit Targets after Xmas and got what was supposed to have been tree ornaments. They were red felt heart-shaped cutouts. I think they were marked down to about $1 for a package of 3. I used them on my Valentine’s Day gifts as decorative package ties. Really, the hearts didn’t look Christmasy at all and were perfect for Feb. 14.
I almost always do the bulk of my shopping out of season. I hate having to battle the rowdy crowds and crazy dealseekers. Not to mention prices are usually more attractive too.
I think I’m lucky to live in Southern California, where the weather is pretty steady all year around. Buying clothing out of season still applies, but you can pretty much wear anything all year.
My wife and I also shop for holiday decorations after the holiday is over too. It’s often a madhouse and a treasure hunt, but we have nice Christmas decorations. At a fraction of what people were paying a day or two before too!
Are pre-paid debit cards safer than credit cards? Less tempting?
We all know when it’s Christmas Eve, Easter, birthdays, winter, summer, etc. It is always to buy into the wrong season to get the best price.