Seven deals to shop for this fall

By Dan Shapley
More from The Daily Green News blog

Everyone loves a deal when shopping, but what are the best deals for fall? The Daily Green talked to four experts to find out how to become a "discount druid," as Jeff Yeager, The Daily Green's Green Cheapskate, calls end-of-season bargain-hunting specialists.

"They're the folks in Sports Authority trying on 50%-off Speedos right now, as the full-price winter parkas are being put on display," Yeager says. But there's a lot more to fall bargain-hunting than teeny bikinis.

Travel

Fall is a great time to travel. Sandwiched between the high summer season and the holiday winter season, the so-called "shoulder season" tends to be a good time to travel, not only to find deals on hotels and packages, but also to avoid the crowds. But every destination has different high seasons, so plan ahead before booking. Southern Africa, Alaska, Canada, Europe, and Southeast Asia can be great choices for fall.

"Fall's shoulder season begins after Labor Day and ends before holiday travel begins," said Marita Hudson Thomas, a spokesperson for Orbitz. "So consumers will likely see shoulder season deals now through mid-November."

Orbitz's annual fall shoulder season survey found some good deals on U.S. hotels too, relative to last year's prices, especially in Denver (6% cheaper), Seattle (7% cheaper), and Las Vegas (17% cheaper). But it's more expensive to stay in several cities, at least compared to a year earlier -- notably Miami (up 9%), Fort Lauderdale (up 12%) or Orlando (up 17%) in Florida, and Honolulu (up 27%).

Best bet? Shop around for deals, checking multiple listings and sites before booking. Just don't wait too long: While September is still early enough to get a good price on holiday travel, you won't want to wait much longer.

(Photo: The Toyota Yaris is among the most affordable fuel-efficient 2010 cars, starting …

September is when automakers will be rolling out out the next (2011) model year cars, so it's among the best times to get a good deal on a new 2010 model year car, Yeager says.

Consumer Reports agrees that September is a great time to buy current year-model cars, if you're hunting for a deal: "You'll save money up front because dealers want to clear old inventory."

Yeager notes: "The same can be said for shopping for a new bicycle in the fall. Next years models are being released, and stores are anxious to get rid of excess summer inventory."

If you're in the market for a kayak or canoe, too, now's a good time for a deal on the last of this year's models, according to Bill Kennedy, owner of Kenco, a 28-year-old independent outdoor gear shop outside Kingston, N.Y. "You can buy them at cost or below cost this time of year," he says.

Interestingly, now's not a bad time to shop for a snowboard, snowshoes, or cross-country skis, if you don't mind buying this year's model before next year's hits the store in a month or two, Kennedy said.

Trees, shrubs, and plants

Especially if they are varietals that won't flower until next spring or summer, fall is a perfect time to invest in some lawn and garden beautification. Retailers count on people losing interest in their yards as the warm weather wanes.

But fall is one of the two best times to plant trees and shrubs - early spring is the other, but prices will be higher then. Perennials are always a better bargain than annuals, in the long run, because they will re-emerge year after year.

"A few years ago, I bought $900 worth of perennial plants for only $30 - they were already marked down by 80%, but I offered to take everything they had left in order to help them make room for mums, pumpkins, and other fall fare," Yeager says. "It never hurts to ask."

Potting soil, pots, and other gardening equipment are typically discounted too, says, Diane MacEahern, author of Big Green Purse. If you need a new lawn mower, fall is the best time for a deal - preferably on a less-polluting electric model. But any 2010 or 2011 mower should be a whole lot cleaner than the old model in the garage.

MacEahern also recommends checking for deals on drip irrigation systems, sprinkling timers, and other devices that can help you keep next year's lawn and garden thriving while using water efficiently.

(Photo: Jupiterimages / Getty Images)

Deck and patio furniture, along with grills and grilling equipment, are often deeply discounted at this time of year as people turn away from their yards and back indoors.

For anyone planning ahead, though, this is the perfect time to buy. If you're buying wooden patio furniture, consult the National Wildlife Federation's annual sustainability scorecard, or shop at The Home Depot, Pottery Barn, Target, and Jensen Leisure Furniture, which now stock only wood furniture certified by the Forest Stewardship Council for sustainability.

If you're investing in a new patio, porch, or deck, now may be the best time to find a deal on a contractor, too, Yeager says - just be sure to ask for an "off-season discount."

Same goes, at least during late summer and early fall, for home weatherization work, according to MacEahern. This makes things like insulation or a new storm door triply lucrative because of labor and materials discounts you can snag before the real cold weather hits, because of the energy you'll save on heating your home this winter, and because big federal tax credits that pay up to $1,500 for many projects are good only through December 31, 2010.

Baking ingredients and candy

November is a good time to stock up on sugar, butter, and other baking staples because grocery stores offer great deals that you can take advantage of before you start your holiday baking spree, according to Kiplinger Magazine.

Conversely, you'll have to wait until after Halloween to save on candy. Starting on November 1, you can save more than 50 percent on packages of chocolate bars and other sweets.

Appliances

New models for large appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, arrive in stores in September and October. Many retailers will put last years' models on sale to make room for the newcomers so it's the perfect time to go appliance shopping.

Here are six additional tips for saving money on new appliances. Buying the most energy-efficient models available, such as those with the Energy Star label, means you'll spend less on your energy bills.

(Photo: Gloria Dawson / The Daily Green)

Fall is a good time to find the best prices on locally grown, fresh foods, MacEahern points out, since harvest time means lots of farmers have lots of produce they're trying to sell at the same time.

"It's a great time to shop at farmers' markets," says MacEahern, who lives in Tacoma Park, MD, a suburb of Washington, D.C., where farmers' markets abound. "Now, there is so much food in farmers' markets that it's really cheap. I got these beautiful organic tomatoes for $3 a pound. It's more expensive than a grocery store, but it's a great price for organic tomatoes."

Kalein said that Amazon.com is also running a good discount on organic and fair-trade foods right now as well.

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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc