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 August 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 Seafair (festivals, parades). For more events and things to do, see our August events and entertainment – Greater Seattle on the Cheap
Image: Depositphotos.com
Discounted seasonal items to buy in August
Wine closeout prices
Keep your eye out for closeout prices in anticipation of new fall releases. It’s a good time to pick up wine for holiday entertaining. Wine tastings are a great way to try-before-you-buy and get a discount on your purchase. You might also like:
- Guide to Washington State Wine Growing Regions (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)
- Wine tasting in Seattle and the Puget Sound region (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)
New & used car sales
Late summer and early fall can be a good time to buy a new car as showrooms make way for new automobile models soon to come. Of course, if you are in the market for a used car, then it can be a good time to find someone’s trade-in as well.
Outdoor and gardening supplies
Anything outdoor from picnic supplies to outdoor furniture, fire pits, lawn mowers and gardening tools goes on sale to make way for fall and winter merchandise and holiday items. Scope out items you might need for late summer fun or next year’s spring gardening chores. You might also like:
- Nurseries & garden centers in the Puget Sound region (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)
- Home gardening resources and plant sales (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)
Summer clothes and gear
Like outdoor supplies, summer clothing and related warm weather gear (swimsuits, sunglasses, hats, sandals) are on sale. Think ahead to Christmas, holidays, or a mid-winter vacation and stock up on anything you might need before next May. (As always, we caution you not to over-buy.) You might also like:
Garage Sales: National Garage Sale Day in the second Saturday in August. It’s a good time to hit sales near you. Or maybe it’s time to clean out and host your own sale? We’ve got plenty of tips:
- Garage sale finder map and calendar (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)
- Use our garage sale tips to turn unwanted household goods into cash – Living On The Cheap
Labor Day sales
Keep in mind that Labor Day is coming up the first Monday in September and you’ll find the steepest discounts on anything summer related, from clothes to outdoor gear.
- Outlet malls in Seattle and around Puget Sound (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)
- Best used clothing and consignment stores (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)
- How to start a minimalist wardrobe – Living On The Cheap
Used computers
Interconnection (interconnection.org) aims to bridge the digital divide and protect our environment by providing free and affordable technology solutions through sustainable e-waste recycling, refurbishment, and reuse.
ConnectAll is an online webstore for refurbished products and serves income-eligible customers.
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. So, check below for new computer buying tips in August.
Image: DepositPhotos.com
New products to buy in August
New computers (laptops and tablets)
While Black Friday in November is considered the best time of the year to buy a computer, that’s not always the case. In fact, the four best months to buy computers are August, September, November, and December. But the best computer buy also depends on your goals: price or features?
In August and September, the best deals are on the outgoing models. I’ve always found great deals on outgoing models, which are fine for most of us. You don’t get the latest and greatest features, but outgoing models are more than adequate for computing and internet surfing tasks. You might also like: Can a Chromebook replace your laptop? – Living On The Cheap
However, if you are a gamer or programmer, you may want to wait for November Black Friday or December Christmas gift shopping deals, when prices on the latest, greatest computer models tend to be lowest.
Back-to-school clothes and supplies
Families with school-age kids (or those headed off to college) are thinking about clothes, shoes, and school supplies. While sales started in July, you’ll generally find the best prices in the latter part of August as the school year draws near, including school supplies and clothes for kids. Back-to-school shopping tips:
- Plan your back-to-school shopping list with the kids, but don’t bring them along because you’ll tend to spend more on impulse items and major brands rather than the best buy.
- For older kids, take them along, but have them stick to a budget and let them make the hard choices! It’s a great opportunity for them to handle money and learn about needs versus wants. And that’s priceless.
- Band together with other moms—some who stay behind to sit, while the rest go shopping.
You might also like:
- Clothing the kids without busting your budget – Living On The Cheap
- Send your new college student out shopping with these tips – Living On The Cheap
- How to save money on college textbooks (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)
- Grocery list + easy recipes for college students (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)
- 7 ways to pay for college without loans (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)
Home appliances
Seattle’s major appliances stores have some deals in August. Be sure to ask about delivery and installation on items you plan to buy. Here are some of our favorite places to shop for appliances in the region:
- Albert Lee | Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue offer appliances at six locations on items for the kitchen, laundry, and outdoor.
- Costco offers attractive pricing on home appliances and kitchen packages with cash back rewards on selected items when paying with their credit card.
- Metropolitan Appliance near the stadiums south of downtown Seattle offers exceptional shopping, delivery, and installation services.
Seasonal produce
Washington grown produce in season includes:
- Fresh fruit at peak season in August include stone fruits (esp. nectarines, peaches, plums) purple berries (esp. blackberries, blueberries), grapes, and melons. More info: Washington Grown Fruits & Herbs seasons
- Vegetables and herbs peaking August include corn, eggplants, peppers, tomatillos, and tomatoes plus green vegetables, cabbages, artichokes, summer squashes, and carrots. More info: Washington Grown Vegetable seasons
You night also like:
- 5 cheap ways to preserve food – Living On The Cheap
- Preserve food at home with cheap canning equipment and free recipes – Living On The Cheap
Event calendar of free and affordable things to do
Listed below are all types of free and affordable things to do in the next 30 days.
Featured Events are listed first each day, highlighted by a photo. These are unique, popular, or annual events that we or our advertisers don’t want you to overlook.
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
