I know most people don’t think of August as being a super time to shop but it totally is. It’s sneaky like that. Remember how I posted about the Target Toy Sale and how the reason for it is because they have to clear out all of the summer toys to make room for the new season (and the hot new Christmas toys?) Well, because August is sort of an in-between season month (not quite summer but not quite fall) it happens to be a great time to get really good sale prices on summer items as well as fall items. Plus, in many states it’s when their “tax free weekend” occurs so you can pair sales + coupons + no tax to get some really good deals.

I rely on other people to help me scope out really good deals so my friend Katie helped me put together this list of 101 Things To Buy In August that because she says it’s the perfect time to enjoy the best of both worlds and get stocked up on some of your seasonal favorites you won’t find any lower during the remainder of the year. From school supplies to grills to computers, there are lots of things to keep an eye out for!

101 Things to Buy In August:

August means back to school time! Who doesn’t love shopping for school supplies? I was the kid who COULD NOT WAIT to shop for school supplies.  Now is the time to start  hitting the back to school sales and stocking up on supplies. Even if you don’t have a child going back to school, stock up on these items for your home office, crafting needs, or to donate to local agencies helping kids get back to school on a budget. I picked up a bunch of crayons and watercolors and glue sticks to stash away for the year in our big school supply sale, and they should go on clearance towards the end of the month!

Don’t you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address. – Name That Movie!

(Click READ MORE to see the full list + my rambling commentary because it’s pretty long.) 

1. Back packs

2. Pencil Boxes

3. Erasers

4. Pens

5. Pencils

6. Crayons

7. Binders

8. Notebooks

9. Notecards

10. Rulers

11. Calculators

12. Calendars

13. Planners

Back to school time is also the perfect time to stock up on lunch box items!

14. Lunch Boxes

15. Cooling packs

16. Lunch meat

17. Lunchables

18. Pudding cups

19. Single serve fruit cups

20. Fruit snacks

21. Juice Boxes

22. Single serve snacks

Schools always have disinfectant wipes on their supply list and I’ve been seeing on sale at Target in the back to school section for weeks now. I don’t know about you but we can always use these, partially because I am the mother of a preemie and slightly germaphobic. Buy these now before they get pricey during the upcoming winter months and when flu season hits, you will be happy you have them!

23. Disinfectant wipes

24. Disinfectant sprays

25. Clorox cleaning products

26. Lysol cleaning products

August is the perfect time to get your hands on a wide assortment of produce items as the summer harvest comes to a close. Hit up your local farmer’s market and stock up. Don’t worry about not being able to use it all, be like me and buy out all of the peas they have because you can always freeze, dry, or can the excess to use in the winter months. I just bought canning equipment, y’all. I’ll let you know how THAT goes.

27. Avocados

28. Green Beans

29. Blueberries

30. Cherries

31. Corn on the cob

32. Cucumbers

33. Eggplants

34. Figs

35 Seedless grapes

36. Melons

37. Onions

38. Peaches

39. Pears

40. Green bell peppers

41. Plums

42. Summer squash

43. Tomatillos

44. Tomatoes

The very best clearance deals are going to be on summer necessities. August is a hot time for finding end of the season items (PUN TOTALLY INTENDED.) Even if you can’t use these items now, grab them at a low price and store them until you can use them next season. Be a hoarder, that’s basically what I am saying here. A responsible, money-saving hoarder.

45. Insect repellent

46. Citronella candles

47. Pest traps

48. Insecticides

49. Assorted sunscreen

50. Tanning lotions (SELF tanning lotions, y’all. Skin cancer is no joke. Fake and bake is where it’s at.)

51. Aloe Vera products

52. Sunglasses

53. Bathing suits

54. Beach cover ups

55. Beach toys

56. Water toys

57. Floatation devices

58. Pool products and chemicals

59. Beach towels (There are some CUTE ones 70% off at Target right now, by the way)

60. Beach chairs

Also on huge markdowns in August? Garden items. You can still use them for all of your fall lawn care needs, or put them away for next year so you can start your garden out for less. Basically, I like to call this “planning for the future.”

61. Lawn furniture

62. Grass seed

63. Fertilizers

64. Yard décor

65. Flower planters

66. Assorted perennials

67. Garden seeds

68. Watering cans

69. Garden tools

70. Patio lights

72. Deck stain

73. Picnic tables

73. Table Umbrellas

74. Outdoor carpet

For some reason everyone always puts camping gear on sale at the end of summer, like that’s when everyone just stops going camping. If you ask me, fall is the perfect time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors on account of how it’s not nearly as hot and also there are way less bugs. Plus, bears headed off to hibernate somewhere and aren’t so concerned with eating you. Seriously, camping items are typically quite pricey, so buying now is wise.

75. Tents

76. Propane grills

77. Sleeping bags

78. Camping dishes

79. Inflatable beds

80. Picnic tables

81.Outdoor games

82. Tablecloths

Another thing that people who run stores assume is that we all stop grilling out after Labor Day. Um, I love to grill out all year. Wear a sweater! (Except not a flammable one. Trust me.) August is a good time to grab a new grill and non-perishable condiments that you can use all year.

83. Grill utensils

84. Grilling Condiments

85. Gas grills

86. Charcoal

87. Grill mitts and aprons

88. Outdoor utensils

89. Cloth napkins

90. Corn skewers

91. Vegetable skewers

92. Grill seasonings

93. Grill covers

Last but not least, now is also the time to grab a variety of electronic items. Retailers know that college kids and students will be looking for back to school electronics and so they run some great sales in conjunction with the tax free weekends!

94. Desk top computers

95. Laptop computers

96. Electronic notepads

97. Desk lamps

97. Mini fridges

98. Window Air Conditioners

99. Scientific calculators

100. Desk Fans

101. Cell phones

So, as you can see, Katie was right and there are TONS of items on sale during the month of August that are worth stocking up on. Be a savvy shopper and print this list off so you can be sure to take advantage of all of these sale prices and plan your shopping strategy accordingly!

Happy shopping!