Save the Dates: What to Buy in September 2024 for Savings

September sales might not be as exciting as those in the fall and early winter, but it kind of feels like a chill moment before the shopping craziness starts. After a busy summer of sales and leading into Black Friday, September is like a little pause. Just a pause, though, because there are still some good buys to snag this month at great prices. Check out Labor Day sales at your go-to stores. I’ve pointed out Kohl’s, Macy’s, and Target, but there are plenty of other places with awesome deals this long weekend. Also, stock up on school lunch stuff and grab as much meat as you can fit in your freezer while it’s on sale this month. If you want to know what to buy in September, just keep reading.

Top Sales in September

September is a solid month for savings, so keep an eye on these sales:

• Late Summer Sales: Scoop up summer deals before the season officially ends on Sept. 22.
• Back-to-School Savings: If you’re gearing up for back-to-school shopping for a September start, you’re in luck with all the deals available now!
• Expedia September Sale: From now until Sept. 24, get 20% or more off your next hotel booking with Expedia.
• Wayfair Labor Day Sale: Score up to 70% off popular home furnishings and more.
• Labor Day Weekend Sales: Stay updated on the best Labor Day Weekend deals from your favorite retailers.
• LG Laundry Deal: Save $1000 on the LG WashCombo All-in-One throughout September.
• Dr. Martens Labor Day Sale: Enjoy 30% off select boots, shoes, accessories, and more until Sept. 3.

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Things Not to Purchase in September

• Halloween Items: You might catch some early deals on Halloween stuff in September, but the real sales will come in October when everyone starts decorating and shopping for the holiday.
• Cruises: While you might see some travel deals for Labor Day, the best cruise deals usually pop up around Black Friday and Travel Tuesday, plus in the winter when folks are looking for warm getaways.
• Fall Clothing: Any fall clothes available now are brand new, so serious discounts won’t show up for a couple of months. Black Friday and December will be better times to shop as the season winds down.
• Winter Holiday Decorations: You may see a few decorations in September, but the selection will really expand over the next few months, and the discounts likely won’t kick in until November and December.
• Toys: The excitement for toys starts to ramp up in September, so discounts won’t be great just yet. But around Black Friday and into December, you’ll find a lot of toy deals.

Home Furniture Deals are up to 67% off

It’s not just patio furniture that’s getting good deals in September; indoor furniture could also be discounted nicely this month. For example, last year Home Depot had up to 50% off entryway furniture, while Macy's offered up to 48% off leather furniture. Plus, Wayfair had bedroom basics starting at $68 and Homary slashed up to 70% off home office items. Looking for something new for your living room? Last September, Macy's had up to 60% off sofas with an extra 10% off, while Amazon had living room furniture at discounts of up to 67%.

Smart TVs on Offer

Normally, we’d suggest waiting until November for TV shopping, but there might be some decent deals this month. Last year, we spotted a TCL 5-Series 55" 4K HDR Google smart TV for $400, an Insignia F30 Series 65" 4K HDR smart TV for $390, and a Vizio M6 Series 75" 4K HDR smart TV for $699. Keep an eye out for sales, like up to $800 off Samsung, Sony, and LG TVs at Best Buy or up to $1,200 off Samsung TVs and projectors at Amazon.

Fitness Equipment See Great Drop in Prices

Fitness gear usually has the best prices in January and June when people are motivated to get fit. But as the warm weather fades, some retailers will offer exercise equipment deals during other seasonal sales. Last year, kettlebells dropped to as low as $4 and rubber-encased hex dumbbells went for as little as $10. September is also a good time to look for larger equipment. In September 2022, rowing machines were $160 and exercise bikes started at $190.

Deals on Refurbished Laptops

Typically, Black Friday is the prime time to buy a new laptop because of the number of deals available and the variety of discounts. But September can also be a good time to shop, especially if you’re okay with refurbished models. Last year, basic refurbished HP Chromebooks went for as low as $38, while refurbished Lenovo Chromebooks dropped to $70. If you want a new laptop, there could be some solid offers this month too. In September 2022, a Lenovo Chromebook 3 was $79, and a Lenovo 100e Gen 2 11" laptop fell to $99. Watch for Lenovo to offer up to 70% off during a Summer Clearance Sale or something similar, Best Buy to have laptop deals starting at $99 on its eBay storefront, and the HP outlet at eBay to provide up to 75% off.

Savings on Previous-Generation iPhones

Apple usually announces new iPhones, Apple Watches, and other tech during a big event in September. Last year’s event was on September 7, and this year’s is set for September 12. We might see permanent price drops on older models once the new iPhones are out. So if you’re looking for a new iPhone, you could snag some immediate savings by going for last year’s model. The price drops might be small right now, though, and if you can hold off until Black Friday, that’s a better move. If you find an amazing deal on an old or new iPhone, grab it! But if the discounts seem minimal, it’s probably a good idea to wait until November when we should see more significant savings on both new and older models.

In-Season Veggies and Fruits

Even though fall kicks off on September 23, you still have a bit of time to enjoy summer fruits and veggies before they disappear. Look for ripe fruits that are hanging around, like apples, cantaloupe, figs, grapes, mangoes, persimmons, pomegranates, and tomatoes. If you're after fresh veggies, get ready to dive into the flavors of autumn with acorn squash, beets, butternut squash, cauliflower, eggplant, green beans, lettuce, mushrooms, okra, peppers, pumpkins, spinach, sweet potatoes, and Swiss chard.

National Coffee Day Discounts

National Coffee Day is on September 29, and lots of restaurants jump at the chance to offer deals. Keep an eye out for doughnut shops and convenience stores giving away free coffee. Sometimes it’s totally free—especially if you’re in a loyalty program—but other times you might need to buy something. Even if you have to grab a little something like a glazed donut, you can usually snag a free cup of your favorite coffee. Last year, Aroma Joe's had a free hot or iced 16-ounce coffee, and Tim Hortons had medium hot or iced coffee for just 25 cents. Want to see more offers? Peet's Coffee might have 20% off and $5 shipping with a coupon, while Amora Coffee could do 50% off sitewide and throw in a free mug. And if you’re in the market for new coffee gear, Best Buy might drop prices by up to 60% on coffee makers and mugs.

Gardening Gear for the Summer

If you're looking for new garden tools for summer work, they usually go on sale as the season wraps up. You might find hand weeders for around $9, all-season garden hoses for about $15, rakes or hoes for $22, and leaf blowers for $24. Also, keep an eye out for open-box Worx LeafPro leaf collection systems dropping to $22 and Sun Joe cordless string trimmers going for as low as $52. If sales are more your style, Amazon might have up to 52% off while Woot! could discount fall gardening items by up to 50%.

Airfare Deals on Thanksgiving and Labor Day Flights

You might score a decent rate on holiday airfare if you shop in September. Generally, booking about six to eight weeks before you fly is when you’ll find the best prices, so the end of September is a good time for Thanksgiving flights. Online travel agencies might have Labor Day sales, but they might not be as great as before the pandemic. When planning your trip, think about allowing for long layovers in case flights get canceled. Giving yourself more time can help with delays or other issues. Also, check out the U.S. Department of Transportation's dashboard if you're booking a flight; it shows what different airlines offer for delays and cancellations. If we’re lucky, Frontier Airlines might bring back their coupon for a free flight, like they did last year with 100% off nonstop travel in the continental U.S. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through mid-November.

Discounted Linens and Beddings

While you’re on the hunt for a new mattress, it’s a great idea to grab some discounted bedding, too! Some stores might bundle mattresses and bedding together, but that’s not for everyone. If you just want to refresh your bedding, you don’t need to go for those bundles. The good news is that September usually brings sales on sheets and blankets, making it a perfect time to swap out your old ones. Look for 4-piece sheet sets on eBay for as low as $17, while Belk might have bedding sets starting at $20 or less, and Amazon could discount select pillows by up to 43%. Keep an eye on Bed Bath & Beyond, too; they offered up to 60% off bedding last year, and we might see savings again this year. But since they’ve recently revamped, the discounts might not be quite as high, so keep your expectations in check.

Bicycles Get Great Deals in September

September is a great month to buy bicycles. Lots of folks ride year-round, but when it gets cooler, demand drops, and outdoor retailers often discount bikes to clear their inventory. Look for Dick's Sporting Goods and Woot! to have up to 50% off, while eBay might discount kids' bikes by up to 60% and throw in an extra 15% off. Amazon could also have up to 40% off Schwinn and Mongoose bikes again this year. REI might get in on the fun too, with up to 30% off bikes. Accessories will probably be on sale as well, but expect plenty of individual deals too. Last year, we saw LED rear bike lights for $20 and Scott helmets for $50. So even if you’re just starting out with biking, you should be able to find good September deals on pretty much everything you need.

Solid Time to Shop for Patio Furniture  

As summer winds down, it’s a solid time to shop for patio items. You can expect discounts on summer patio furniture, but September is also a good time to look for other patio gear. For instance, think about shopping for stuff to winterize your patio furniture and keep it safe from the elements. Last September, we saw waterproof fire pit covers for $11 and water-resistant stackable patio chair covers for $15. For actual patio furniture, keep an eye out for wicker ottomans and end tables for around $36 each, bistro chairs for $43, and folding Adirondack chairs for $67. With the weather cooling down, it’s also a great time to snag deals on fire pits—last year they dropped as low as $40 in September—and patio heaters, which went down to $69. Plus, there’ll be a bunch of September sales to check out. Watch for Wayfair to have up to 56% off, eBay to knock up to 50% off plus an extra 15% off, Macy's to discount patio furniture by up to 80%, and Home Depot to offer deals taking up to 67% off. Kohl's might not be the first place you think of for patio furniture, but it should be on your radar; last year, they offered up to 70% off select pieces, plus an extra 20% off.

Overstock used to be the go-to for patio furniture deals, especially when they had that 70% off sale last September. Now that they picked up Bed Bath & Beyond's assets in 2023, you should check out Bed Bath and Beyond for those discounts. The relaunch just happened, so we might not see those crazy discounts this month, but it's definitely worth keeping an eye on!

School Supplies Stock Clearing Sales

Shopping for school supplies might not be on everyone's radar in September, especially if they've already grabbed what they need. But some folks might be waiting to snag supplies to manage inflation. If you still need to pick some up, keep an eye out for last-minute sales as stores clear their shelves for fall and winter stock. Amazon is likely to have discounts on popular brands like BIC, with savings up to 64%, and academic planners could be marked down by 40%. You might also see extra deals, like $5 off when you spend $20 or more. Plus, there could be tech discounts, like at least 50% off Rocketbook reusable notebooks at Woot! Staples is expected to have discounts on school supplies, up to 40% off, with prices starting at or below 40 cents.

Grills for the Football Season

A lot of people love grilling even as football season kicks off and the temperatures drop in fall, but grills are still seen as summer items. Because of this, retailers usually put a bunch of grills on sale just in time for tailgating in September. Check out Walmart for deals, like portable charcoal grills for $50 or electric smokers for $88, but Amazon might have some solid savings, too. Last September, they had a Char-Griller Akorn Jr. Kamado Charcoal Grill for just $139. Sales can provide great chances to save, so keep an eye on Woot! for discounts between 20% and 30%, and BBQGuys could cut up to 60% off clearance items again this year.

Deals on New Mattresses  

Labor Day is a great time to shop for a new mattress, with both online and physical stores having sales. Even after Labor Day, you can still find mattress deals. Last year, Home Depot offered up to 30% off various items, including mattresses, while Wayfair had select Sealy mattresses starting at $235. They also knocked up to 70% off mattresses and more later in the month, and Amazon took 20% off select Tuft & Needle mattresses.

Good Savings on Major Appliances  

Labor Day is one of the last times in the year when you can count on good savings on major appliances. You can shop at your usual spots like Lowe's and Home Depot, but don’t forget to check out Best Buy and the manufacturers too. Last September, Samsung had discounts as high as $1,200 off washers and dryers, and up to $1,500 off refrigerators. Best Buy and Lowe's had their own appliance deals, which varied by brand and category, but typically savings ranged from 30% to 40%, with some discounts hitting 50% or more.

Warm-Weather Clothes

As summer comes to a close this month, it’s a good time to shop for warm-weather clothes. Labor Day sales will be a great chance to find deals, but even without those, there should still be some deep discounts. If you need clothes for kids, check out Target, which offered 20% off over 500 kids' basics in September 2022. Look for kid-focused retailers like The Children's Place, too, as they had great September sales last year, with discounts up to 70% during their Fall Sale and Labor Day Weekend Sale, plus clearance items starting at just 99 cents. Expect sales on apparel for the whole family as well. Keep an eye on Macy's Labor Day Sale, which might take up to 60% off plus an extra 15% to 20% off, while JCPenney could drop clearance items by up to 80%. Don’t forget about outlet stores, either. Last year, J.Crew Factory had discounts up to 72%, plus an extra 50% off!

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Conclusion  

September 2024 looks like it will have a bunch of savings opportunities that savvy shoppers won’t want to overlook. From back-to-school essentials to getting a head start on holiday shopping, there are significant deals across categories like electronics, clothing, and home goods. By planning ahead and marking your calendar for important sale dates, you can really take advantage of the best discounts of the season. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your tech, refresh your wardrobe, or start prepping for the holidays, September is a great month to make smart, budget-friendly purchases. So, get ready to shop smart and save big this September. With the right approach, you'll find everything you need at prices that make it all worthwhile. Happy shopping!