Make the most of sale season

Fall can be an ideal time of year for homeowners to tackle home improvement projects, as the moderate temperatures make for ideal conditions to work in and around the house. In addition, many retailers offer consumer-friendly sales in autumn, helping homeowners to save money.
As early as September, many stores begin stocking their shelves in advance of the holiday season. As a result, stores look to unload summer and fall seasonal items. The following are just a few types of items homeowners might find at reduced prices this fall.

Lawn and garden
If you want to revamp your backyard, wait until late summer or early autumn to do so. At this time of year, you can find great deals on patio furniture, lawn mowers, perennials, shrubs, sheds, and many other lawn and garden items. In addition, check with local contractors to see if they will offer discounts late in the season. Tree-removal companies, landscapers, fence installers, masons, and others may cut prices in mid- to late-autumn as they look to earn a bit more money before the arrival of winter. 

Cooking appliances
Manufacturers typically introduce new stoves, cooktops and other cooking supplies in advance of the holiday season. Older models may be discounted to make room for the new arrivals, and you may be able to score even bigger savings on floor models. If renovating the kitchen is in the works, wait until early autumn to start appliance shopping.

Painting supplies
The weekends surrounding Labor Day and Columbus Day are also great times to find deals on home improvement, as retailers know customers have extra time to complete projects during these long weekends. Paint, rollers and other supplies may be discounted on such weekends, and you also may find discounts on power tools. 

Vehicles
If you are in the market for a new SUV or truck to transport your home improvement project supplies, autumn is a good time to visit a dealership. Many dealerships liquidate their inventory in autumn to free up space for new model releases about to hit the market. Come autumn, you may find it easier to negotiate financing and leasing deals.
Homeowners can save on home improvement projects and other needs by taking advantage of late-summer, early-autumn discounts. 

Guide to end-of-summer sales

Labor Day is marked by mixed feelings. Come the end of summer, vacations may be coming to an end as children ready themselves for a new school year. But shoppers know the end of summer is an ideal time to find great deals on an array of items. 
Although back-to-school sales flood the marketplace this time of year, plenty of other sales take place in the final weeks of summer — and consumers can save substantial amounts of money if they know where to look. Especially this Labor Day weekend! 

Outdoor furniture
As stores clear out their seasonal items, shoppers can score big deals on patio sets and other outdoor furniture. Retailers need to make room for snowblowers, rakes, shovels, and holiday merchandise, so shoppers are bound to find discounted tables, chairs, fire pits, umbrellas, and chaise lounges. Individuals can use this opportunity to update worn-out patio furniture and other seasonal items they can store over the winter.

Camping/hiking equipment
Only the most devoted campers camp out when the temperatures begin to dip, so consumers can use this opportunity to grab camping equipment before it’s gone for another season. Tents, flashlights, cooking gear, backpacks, outdoor recreational items, such as kayaks or fishing tackle, water bladders, and heaters may be available at steep discounts.

Grills
Backyard barbecues are a staple of summer. If your barbecue or outdoor cooking equipment experienced heavy use throughout the summer, now is a great time to shop sales on grills and outdoor cooking gear. 

Travel
Consumer Reports says that prices tend to drop on airfare, hotels and theme parks after Labor Day. Deals on luggage also can be had once summer travel season ends. Tuesdays are a great day to book airline tickets because they tend to be cheaper on Tuesday than other days of the week. Travelers can use this information to their advantage, booking trips to destinations that have super weather throughout the fall, such as Hawaii or the Mediterranean. Caribbean destinations also are good choices, though travelers should consider travel insurance to protect against hurricane-related cancellations. 

Vehicles
Many dealerships tend to begin discounting cars when new models begin to debut in August and September. The longer a dealership holds on to a vehicle, the more money it tends to lose. Prospective car buyers may be able to negotiate a good deal this time of year, ultimately walking away with a brand new vehicle with a solid warranty. It’s not unheard of to receive a discount of 15 percent or more on previous year models.

Spa treatments
Many spas have begun discounting massages and facials at the end of summer, according to the International Spa Association. Shoppers can use this opportunity to try out new spas and save some money in the process.
In addition to these discounts, bathing suits, summer clothing, lawn and garden equipment, and pool/spa items may be discounted come the fall.