Summer sales bring relief at checkout register

Summertime is not only great for pool parties it can also be a pretty good shopping season.

BY MARTHA MAURER

Jun 27, 2013, 2:52 PM Updated: 2:53 pm

It might feel like we only have two seasons in Arizona: winter and summer. The summer is no joke, with temperatures hovering around 120 degrees. Chances are you may not want to leave your air-conditioned.

Summertime is not only great for pool parties and vacations up north, it can be a pretty good shopping season.

Here are a few things you’re better off buying during the summer months.

• School supplies/clothes: We may wonder why our kids’ school supply keeps growing each year, but one thing is true: buying during the school year is more expensive than the weeks right before schools starts. Watch for deals at stores like Staples, Walmart, Target and Office Depot. The traditional “1 cent” and “5 cent” deals can help you score some pretty cheap items. This is the time to buy in bulk.

• Outdoor gear: Again, it may not sound like a good idea to go on a hiking adventure when it’s 115 degrees, but plenty of Arizona attractions are ready for summer visitors. Look for fishing and camping gear on sale as well as items such as plastic plates, cups, tumblers, towels, sandals and outdoor sports activity. Take advantage of the low prices and buy for the year.

• Lawn/garden equipment: Gardening gloves, fertilizer, seeds and electronics usually go on sale during the summer. Start planning your fall gardening activities and get what you need now. Patio and lawn furniture as well as outdoor grills also go on sale right before fall. Keep an eye out for some sweet deals to spruce up your backyard.

• Food: One way to save on the grocery bill is to buy foods that are in season. When it comes to fruits, there’s a ton. Apples come into season mid to late summer. You can also find apricots, avocados, bell peppers, berries and cantaloupe at cheaper prices than any other time of year.

Carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, green beans and green onions are also in season. Towards the end of the summer, enjoy grapes at even lower prices. Melons, peaches, plums and onions are also in bloom. If you haven’t noticed, all of these foods make great salad ingredients, just in time to maintain that bikini body. Barbeque foods also go on sale, so fire up the grill and enjoy.

• Shop for the holidays before and after: Remember, buying Fourth of July decorations on July 3 isn’t only procrastinating, it’s wasting money. As soon as the holiday passes, prices get slashed at least 50 percent. A good idea is to stock up for the following year when the prices are at seasonal lows.

During the summer months, post-Father’s Day sales offer good deals on popular men’s items.

Let’s not forget ice cream! That special treat can cool us on a hot day. It also tastes better if it costs you less than any other time of year.