6 Winter Items Frugal People Should Buy in Summer
Written by
Cindy Lamothe
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
Summer is here — and with it comes the arrival of new discounts you should take advantage of.
For those of you who are frugal and love shopping in advance, experts say that now is the best time to purchase winter items.
“Winter gear like coats, mittens, gloves, snow pants and hats are usually on closeout clearance sales in early summer,” said Melanie Musson, finance expert with Clearsurance. “Retailers need to get rid of last year’s styles and make room for summer goods, so you can often find snow gear for 50% to 75% off in the late spring and early summer.”
Read below for winter items to stock up on this season.
Winter Clothing and Snow Boots
Winter coats, boots and sweaters are much cheaper in summer, according to Rhett Stubbendeck, CPCU, CEO and founder of Leverage Planning. “Retailers want to clear their inventory. I bought a winter coat in July for $80, originally $200. At [my company], we always recommend checking for off-season sales on clothing to save big.”
Esther Strauss, co-founder of Step By Step Business, agreed.
“One of the smartest budgeting moves I’ve made is buying winter items during the summer. Prices drop significantly for seasonal goods when they are out of season, and I’ve saved a lot this way,” Strauss said.
“Winter coats are a prime example. I once purchased a high-quality winter coat in July for $100, which would have easily cost $200 or more in December,” she said. “Retailers often slash prices to clear out inventory, and taking advantage of these discounts can lead to significant savings.”
Coats aren’t the only items you can snag for a discount, though. “Another item is snow boots,” Strauss said. “Last summer, I found a pair of durable snow boots for $50. During the peak winter season, the same pair was selling for $120. That’s a $70 savings just by planning ahead.”
Winter Sports Equipment
Ski and snowboard gear are other items cheaper in summer, according to Stubbendeck.
“I found ski boots for $150 in August, down from $300 in winter. [At my company], we suggest buying winter sports gear during summer sales for big savings,” he said.
Strauss agreed. “I also recommend buying winter sports equipment, like skis and snowboards, in the off-season. I bought a set of skis for $250 in August, which typically retailed for $500 in the winter months.”
These discounts can really add up and are a great way to get items you’ll need for less. “The difference is striking, and it’s a great way to gear up without breaking the bank,” Strauss said.
Heaters and Heating Supplies
Heating equipment, such as space heaters and electric blankets, is another category where you can find significant off-season discounts, according to Ben Klesinger, co-founder and CEO of Reliant Insurance Group and Helping Hand Financial.
“For instance, a space heater priced at $150 in winter could be available for about $90 in the summer. Even essentials like firewood or heating oil contracts can be cheaper when demand is at its lowest, typically dropping by 20% to 30%,” he said.
Stubbendeck agreed that portable heaters and heating supplies often go on sale during summer. “A client got a space heater for $25 in a summer sale, which costs $60 in winter,” he said. “We advise our clients to plan ahead and buy heating supplies off-season to save money.”
Holiday Decorations
Experts also noted that holiday decorations are heavily discounted after the season.
“I bought Christmas lights for $10 in June, which were $30 during the holidays,” Stubbendeck said. “We recommend stocking up on holiday decorations during off-season sales.”
Winter Tires
“Look for sales on snow tires,” Musson said. “If tire shops have snow tires left or get a random set in during the summer, they need to get them off the shelf, so summer is a great time to find a lower price on them.”
Stubbendeck agreed that winter tires are often more affordable in summer. “A friend of mine bought a set for $400 in July, compared to $600 in winter. We suggest buying winter tires in summer to avoid the rush and high prices,” he said.
Snow Removal Equipment
Snow removal equipment is another area where summer purchases can yield savings, according to Klesinger.
“Snow blowers that are priced around $800 in winter can be found for as low as $600 in the summer,” he noted. “Shovels, ice melt and other related items also see similar price drops, ranging from 30% to 40%.
“By planning ahead and purchasing these items during their off-peak seasons, consumers can take advantage of significant cost savings, ensuring that their budgets are managed more effectively without sacrificing quality or necessity,” he said.
Ultimately, purchasing winter goods off-season is a frugal way to save money on items you’ll need. “This strategy isn’t just frugal–it’s smart financial planning,” Klesinger said.
More From GOBankingRates
