August is all about back-to-school shopping, and while many people might not think about it, it can mean deals for grown-ups as well as students.
"There are lots of things they can get for their home office," said Brent Shelton, spokesman for deals and cash-back site FatWallet.
Staples, Target and Wal-Mart are great sources for school supplies and home office supplies, and they always have huge cash-back sales, he said. Some retailers also will offer a discount ranging from 10 percent to 20 percent when you show a student ID.
In a recent FatWallet survey on back-to-school shopping behavior, parents ranked laptops among the top items that students need, and 42 percent of them felt laptops were needed as early as high school. Expect some laptop brands to offer a student discount of at least $100 off, Shelton said. If you are going to spend the money for a laptop, then you want to take advantage of those discounts.
Among parents surveyed, 35 percent said 13 to 15 was an appropriate age range for children to have smartphones. Mobile carriers have recognized the trend, and are pushing family plans to make it more affordable for teens to join. If you are in the market for a smartphone, look for trade-in programs to get a discount. If you cannot take advantage of a trade-in, wait on buying an iPhone, since a new version is expected to be released this fall, Shelton said.
If you wait until the end of August, end-of-summer clearance sales really heat up, and a lot of summer clothing items can be worn to school, particularly in the warmer regions of the country, Shelton said. It’s also your chance to score deals at stores that don’t traditionally have big back-to-school clothing sales.
Also, if you have been holding out for a grill, patio furniture or an air-conditioning unit, August clearance sales are a good time to take the leap, and you will have part of the season left to still enjoy those items.
Sports and outdoors equipment also should have good markdowns. Look at stores such as REI Outlet, where you can find brand-name items at a good price while also getting cash back, Shelton said.
With summer vacation season mostly behind us, August is a great time to take advantage of last-minute hotel deals, Shelton said. As for destinations, Las Vegas is really popular and affordable at this time of year.
About the Author
