12 Products That Are Cheaper in August Than Any Other Time of Year
August tends to be overlooked as a shopping month, wedged between peak summer and early fall. But that’s exactly why it works so well for budget hawks. Stores are offloading what’s no longer in season and dangling deals to lure back-to-school traffic.
The sweet spot is knowing what’s slipping into the discount bin.
Summer Apparel on Deep Clearance
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Retailers push hard to move warm-weather inventory in August. Expect dramatic markdowns on shorts, sandals, tanks, and swimsuits. Casualwear is often the first to see steep discounts, with last year’s prices dipping as low as $3 for caps and $7 for polos. Even pre-fall styles occasionally join the clearance carousel early.
Back-to-School Supplies in Full Swing
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Basic classroom gear hits rock-bottom prices in August. Retailers throw notebooks, folders, and glue sticks into bins with 25-cent tags, while pricier items like scientific calculators and athletic shoes also see price cuts.
Furniture in Off-to-College Promos
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Retailers push deals on shelves, futons, and desks designed for tight spaces, and even non-students benefit. Smaller homes and apartment dwellers often find great buys amid the “off to college” clutter, especially as retailers like Wayfair and Amazon push volume sales.
Laptops with Steep Student Discounts
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August isn’t quite Black Friday for laptops, but it tries. Tech brands and big-box stores court students with surprisingly generous markdowns, often including refurbished models and bundles with extras. Some Chromebooks and lightweight PCs have dropped below $100, and it’s not unusual to see flagship models paired with gift cards.
Tax-Free Shopping Events
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Some states run tax holidays during this month, waiving sales tax on items like clothing, school gear, and computers. Spending caps typically apply, but if you time your purchases to these weekends, the savings stack up. Apple, Walmart, and DSW publish guides showing what qualifies by state and date.
Outdoor Patio Furniture Closeouts
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That dreamy outdoor sectional might’ve been full price in June, but by August, retailers are practically begging you to take it. Floor models, boxed sets, and even brand-new collections get cleared out for incoming fall décor. The urgency to reclaim warehouse space leads to flash sales with little advance notice.
Grills on Seasonal Markdown
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Retailers don’t wait for fall to start slashing prices on grills. Walk through the aisles in August and you’ll see big markdowns on both charcoal and small propane models. Online shops are eager to clear out inventory, with some discounts topping 60%. If you’re thinking about upgrading your backyard setup, now’s when the best deals tend to show up.
Garden Tools and Lawn Equipment
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Garden tools usually hog space in spring ads, but the leftovers go on clearance. Weed trimmers, hoses, and even lawnmowers start appearing in overstock bins and online warehouse deals. Discounts deepen the longer the gear sits, so late-month shoppers often score the steepest markdowns.
Streaming Devices See Late‑Summer Price Drops
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Expect stand-out deals on streaming devices, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and others. Retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Target frequently offer deep discounts timed for back‑to‑school and early pre‑Labor Day promotions:
Luggage at Post-Travel Discounts
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By August, travel slows down and stores start marking down luggage. Suitcases and carry-ons land in the sale section, and you’ll spot the best deals on department store house brands or extra stock left over from the summer rush. If you need new bags, this is the time when prices finally drop.
Early Labor Day Sales
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Retailers don’t wait for the actual holiday to start promoting. Clothing, furniture, and appliances start going on sale by mid-August. Discounts can reach 70% on home goods and up to 50% on mattresses. Lowe’s often leads the early push, with others like Ashley Furniture and Macy’s joining in days later.
Perennials for Fall Planting
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Flowering plants might not be on your shopping radar this month, but this is prime time for discounts. Nurseries start reducing perennials to avoid having to winter them. If you’re planting for next year, this is a budget-friendly chance to snag hearty varieties that will bounce back when spring rolls around.
In-Season Fruits and Vegetables
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Local produce tends to peak in price earlier in the summer, but by August, surpluses shift the equation. Grocery stores and markets lower prices on plums, zucchini, sweet corn, and tomatoes that are suddenly everywhere. These deals are usually fresher than anything found off-season.
Small Appliances and Kitchen Gadgets on Sale
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August brings a wave of discounts on countertop appliances. Blenders, coffee makers, air fryers, and toaster ovens often land on the sale list as retailers clear shelf space before the holiday rush. Look for special deals at big-box stores and flash sales online—late summer is a solid window for kitchen upgrades without the holiday crowds.
Home Décor Hits the Clearance Section
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Late August, summer rugs and wall art gather on clearance tables. Store aisles swap out breezy colors for pumpkins and heavier textures. Big chains roll out discounts right away. By Labor Day, even upscale brands quietly mark down anything left from the summer line.