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 April 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.
- Holidays and special events with shopping discounts and deals include Tax Day April (15), Earth Day (April 22), and Seattle Independent Bookstore Day (April 27, 2024). For all events this month, visit: April events and entertainment.
Spring is a good time to get your car ready for warmer weather and summer road trips – DepositPhotos.com
Seasonal items to buy in April
Auto maintenance
April is National Car Care Month, when some stores and auto shops may have specials on parts and maintenance package. In any case, spring is a good time to get your car ready for warmer weather and summer road trips. Here are some basic maintenance tasks: change oil, replace filters and windshield wipers, service the cooling system, and check fluids, belts, and tires.
Bare root trees and shrubs
While February is the best month for buying bare root plants (dormant plants ready for immediate planting during cooler weather), in April you might find leftovers in Nurseries & garden centers in the Puget Sound region at a discount. If the plant stems look strong and the plant does not seem withered, it can be a good buy. Just make sure to transplant immediately and water carefully to ensure your bargain grows into a healthy, thriving purchase.
Vacuum cleaners
Discounted vacuums are another best buy in spring as people get into spring cleaning mode. New models come out in June, so it’s a good time to find deals on top brands such as Dyson, Shark, Kenmore, Miele, and Roomba. Black Friday usually sees better deals. But it’s easy to comparison shop online. So, whether you are looking for a hand vacuum, robotic vacuum, portable stick model, or full-scale work horse, April is a good month to consider a vacuum purchase.
Clothing and second-hand goods
Discounted Spring clothing, which arrived in stores in February, needs to be cleared out to make way for summer items. These are typically light layering pieces perfect for Seattle’s on-again, off-again weather. There might also be some winter clothing leftovers at screaming deals—but only if you need the item, right?
Outgoing seasonal clothing discounts start in the 20% to 30% range, but later in the season look for markdowns at 50% to 80% off. Of course, the trick is finding the one cool piece everyone else overlooked among all the items no one wanted to buy.
Second-hand clothing and goods become plentiful as people clean out their homes and closets for spring. Used clothing and consignment stores tend to see a surge in goods. So, April can be a good month to peruse thrift stores for recycled clothing and household items.
You might also like:
- JBF consignment sales of children’s & maternity (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)
- Garage sale finder map and calendar (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)
Easter decor
After Easter is the time to look for closeouts on baskets, bunnies, and other seasonal décor for next year. If you need more candy for some reason, look for closeouts on this as well. While some chocolates won’t keep an entire year, plain dark chocolate is a good bet for long storage. Milk chocolate and candy bars with other ingredients (especially nuts and dairy) can go stale in six months. If you stock up on candy, store chocolates in the freezer or tightly sealed in a cool, dark place (so, not in the cupboard above your refrigerator, stovetop, or oven range).
Vacation packages and cruises
Discounts on vacation packages and cruises can typically be found for certain destinations. Last minute Caribbean and Alaska cruises ahead of the summer rush can be a great deal. Ditto for Hawaiʻi as well as the South Pacific, parts of Mexico or South America, and European vacations.
If April-May or September-October are doable for your next vacation, now can be a good time to plan and snatch up good deals. Also, if you can leave and return mid-week, Tuesday through Thursday, you can often save substantially on airfare.
Remember that Spring Break occurs around this time and prices on airfare and accommodations can skyrocket and availability decline. But look for “holes” during the month and other low points to find very low prices.
Earth Day banner via Depositphotos_18162817
New products to buy in April
Earth Day Deals and Freebies (April 22)
Earth Day is an environmentally conscious event, which means you can find deals on products such as LED-bulbs and other eco-friendly goods. You’ll also find free recycling events for electronics or other hard to recycle goods, as well as and free paper shredding events.
- You might also like: Shredding services help prevent costly identity theft
Jewelry
Lower prices on jewelry can be found because it’s typically a low sales month. With graduation, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day coming up (when prices will also rise), you might want to think ahead and consider any gifts you might want to purchase a little early and save some money in the process. Don’t forget birthdays and weddings, too.
Toys
Yep, toys. It’s a slow month for toy sales. So, it can be a good month to check for deals on toys you might want to purchase now for birthdays or even Christmas, if you have a secret storage space.
Cookware
If you have college students moving away soon or need a wedding gift, check out deals on pots and pans, kitchen gadgets, and cooking tools.
- You might also like: Best Seattle wedding gift registries and tips (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)
Upcoming shopping & saving events
Featured Events are list first each day, highlighted by a photo. Featured events are unique or annual events that we or our advertisers don’t want you to overlook.
But wait, there’s more!
- Free things to do in April
- Affordable April events and entertainment.
- Find discount tickets to events on our half-price tickets page.
- Here’s a list of 101+ always free things to do for fun.
- Find free and cheap things to do every day on the Greater Seattle on the Cheap event calendar.
- Visit the Greater Seattle on the Cheap home page and choose from a menu of free and cheap activities in the Puget Sound region.
