Best things to buy in September

Every month of the year, certain items are discounted due to overstock, holiday sales, or transitions from one season to the next. Here are the shopping highlights for September in Seattle-Tacoma area stores. Of course, we think the best way to save money is not to spend it! But, when you need or want to, plan your spending to take advantage of the times of the year when what you buy is at the lowest possible price.

Special events with shopping discounts and deals include back-to-school supplies and Labor Day weekend.

Discounted seasonal items to buy in September

Summer gear and accessories

After Labor Day sales are done, the rest of September you will find the last holdouts on all kinds of outdoor items and summer-related goods such as barbecues, garden and camping gear, bicycles and accessories, patio furniture, and more. The pickings get slim after Labor Day sales have ravaged the seasonal stock. But you can find screaming deals on outgoing goods. So, check out your current gear and think ahead to what you might need to replace for next year.

You might also like: 16 life hacks using pool noodles and other summer clearance items – Living On The Cheap

Home goods

Several types of home goods are also good buys, especially at Labor Day sales, including mattresses, indoor furniture, and home appliances. In addition, leftover stock from items typically found on wedding registries are also a good buy. Think dishware, housewares, décor items, and small appliances.

You might also like: Outlet malls in Seattle and around Puget Sound and JBF consignment sales of children’s & maternity.

New products to buy in September

Ski Bonkers Sale

The annual SkiBonkers sale of new skis, snowboards, and winter sport accessorie every Labor Day Weekend is now called POWDER DAZE. More info: POWDER DAZE (formerly Ski Bonkers) sale on winter gear (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)

Laptop computers

The four best months to buy computers are August, September, November, and December. Which month is best will depend on your goals: price or features. In August and September, the best deals are on the outgoing models. You don’t get the latest and greatest features, but you will find outgoing models more than adequate for most students and anyone with average computing and internet surfing tasks. Which is most of us. However, if you are into gaming or programming, then you usually want the latest, greatest computer with the highest speed, maximum storage capability, and latest cutting-edge features. If you can wait just a bit, prices will drop for November Black Friday and December Christmas gift shopping deals.

Another option for the truly frugal is InterConnection. The non-profit organization refurbishes and sells low-cost computers, with FREE shipping to continental U.S. addresses. Anyone can visit the retail store or shop online at interconnection.org online retail store.  You’ll find refurbished laptops, desktop computers, and peripherals (mice, keyboards, monitors, etc.). A refurbished computer is generally 30 percent less than a comparable new one. Plus, a refurbished computer helps the environment by reusing electronics and keeping them out of the landfill.

You might also like: Can a Chromebook replace your laptop?

Back-to-school supplies

It’s a very good idea not to buy all the back-to-school supplies for the year in August. Rather, buy the minimal needs to get the kiddos started, and then buy again when prices drop. Such as right after school starts. Like…now.

You might also like: Simplify Back to School with Freezer Meal Planning and 7 free education resources to help students get ahead

New & used car shopping

Now through December is one of the best times of the year to get a deal on a brand-new car, though it’s not necessarily the lowest price. 

• If the latest new model is your goal, then fall is the best time to buy. Prices are lowest at the end of the month and the end of the year (October-December). So, start shopping in September, but hold off on your purchase for a month or so.
• If the lowest price new car (regardless of model) is your goal, then late summer you’ll find discount prices on outgoing models, and September with the lowest prices.
• If a good used car is your goal, the best time to buy tends to be later summer to late fall, when buyers of new cars will want to trade in or sell their older car.

You might also like: Used car shopping? Do your homework and avoid problems and How to decide whether to buy or lease your next car

Holiday airfare and travel luggage

September is the time to peruse tickets for flights over the upcoming Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s holidays. After September, prices start to increase every month. The highest airfares are always those within 30 days of your trip.

You might also like: 7 money-saving tips for buying (and not losing) new luggage

Wine

Grapes are harvested in fall to make wine. Which means existing inventory needs to be moved to make room for new stock. This makes September a good time to shop for wine. Think ahead and stock up on a case or more for the holidays, whether for parties or gift giving. Buying by the case saves you an additional 10%-15% over buying individual bottles. As long as you can store it in a cool location (55°F-65°F), it keeps months, if not years.

You might also like: Wine tasting in Seattle and the Puget Sound region and Affordable holiday champagne and sparkling wine

Coffee

National Coffee Day occurs every September 29 and International Coffee Day is every October 1. Keep in mind that ground or whole bean coffee lasts only 6 months in your pantry (less if the temperature fluctuates above 70°F) or up to two years in a freezer. Coffee goes “bad” by losing flavor and aroma, so if you aren’t particular, then you may not notice the effects of longer storage. But there’s no reason to buy more than a year’s worth of anything—it just ties up money you might want to spend on something else. If you prefer instant coffee, it lasts a long, long time. So, stock up once a year and be done with it. By-the-way, the freezer in your refrigerator (32°F) is not nearly as cold as a standalone “deep” freezer (-10°F to +0°F), so storage life in the former considerably shorter (6 months to 1 year). More info: Celebrate National Coffee Day September 29 at your favorite coffee spot (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)

Seasonal produce

Washington grown produce in season in September includes:

• Fresh fruit at peak season in September include grapes, melons, plums, and the season’s first apples and pears. More info: Washington Grown Fruits & Herbs seasons
• Vegetables and herbs at their peak in September include greens of all kinds, rabe (flowering green vegetables, often broccoli), cabbages, cucumbers, artichokes, broccoli, green beans, carrots, turnips, and onions. More info: Washington Grown Vegetable seasons
• Outgoing vegetables. You’ll see the last of corn, eggplants, peppers, tomatillos, and tomatoes. So, buy early in the month because if the weather turns, these crops can disappear suddenly.

You might also like:

• How to keep summer veggies fresh to avoid food waste
• Got tomatoes? Recipes to make the most of your summer tomatoes
• Easy recipes with cheap summer sweet corn

Season Tickets

There’s really nothing like live theater and our region has a vibrant theatre culture with many choices in content and price from classics to leading edge. Most theatre company performance calendars run fall through spring, making September a good time to plan your entertainment options for the next year. Season tickets can be a great buy, even for those on a budget. They offer great entertainment value as well as supports the Puget Sound art community. Season tickets offer substantial savings over single ticket purchase, plus lower (or no) ticket fees, the ability to exchange tickets if your plans change, and other benefits. For lower cost when buying theatre season tickets, look for flex passes, half-season or mini-subscriptions (less than a full season), and preview tickets (prior to opening night). Here are a few suggestions:

Suggested Seattle season tickets

• ACT Theatres (multiple programs to engage audiences, develop new works, and keep art accessible)
• ArtsWest (provocative theater as a powerful agent of change).
• Intiman Theatre (theatre that wrestles with American inequities).
• Meany Center at UW Seattle. Choose your own package of four or more performances from a variety of programs.
• Pacific Northwest Ballet (classics, new, and innovative productions).
• Seattle Opera (classics, new, and innovative productions). Opera goers ages 21–39 are invited to join the BRAVO! young professionals group with lower pricing.
• Seattle Repertory Theatre (diverse perspectives, classic and new works).
• Seattle Shakespeare Company (classic theatre drama)
• Seattle Symphony (various series, classics to pop). Many choices, such as classic masterworks, “pops” series, and family concerts. Many other choices available.
• Taproot Theatre Company (brightening the spirit, engaging the mind and deepening understandings through theatre)
• The 5^th Avenue Theatre (musicals).
• Thistle Puppet Theatre (professional puppet theatre for families)

Suggested Tacoma season tickets

• Tacoma City Ballet (classical ballet productions)
• Tacoma Little Theatre (quality, live theatre experiences to foster meaningful community interactions)
• Tacoma Musical Playhouse (TMP) (American musical theater)
• Tacoma Opera (intimate and accessible operettas, grand operas, and premieres)
• Symphony Tacoma (Season concerts in historic Pantages Theater)

Theatres in surrounding cities

• Edmonds Driftwood Players (mystery, drama, comedy, musicals).
• Village Theater in Issaquah and Edmond (classics, new, and innovative productions).

For more theater suggestions, visit Theatre Puget Sound. Membership includes discounts to theatres and related businesses.

Calendar of upcoming shopping and sales events

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Find more events and ideas for affordable living at Greater Seattle on the Cheap – Free things to do, cheap fun, discounts and deals in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area