Editor’s Note: This story comes from partner site DealNews.com.
October isn’t known for having a ton of deals or shopping holidays. In many circles it’s most well-known as the month of spooky vibes, thanks to Halloween.
With Black Friday around the corner, it might seem like saving opportunities won’t come for another month, but October has plenty to offer as far as deals go. In fact, if trends from the last two pandemic-era Black Fridays return, noteworthy deals for that shopping holiday could arrive even sooner.
Check out our guide on what to buy in October, as well as the few things you should buy later — or at least do extra research on before you add them to your cart.
Top Offers to Shop in October
Cinnabon: Members of the Cinnabon Rewards program can redeem a buy one, get one free baked good offer in the app. Unlock the code ROLL22 in the Cinnabon app which applies to Classic Rolls, MiniBons, 4-count BonBites, or Center of the Roll. This offer is valid October 4-7.
Additionally, orders via app or the Cinnabon website qualify for free delivery during this time.
Fan of Schlotzky’s Deli? Download the restaurant’s app to take advantage of the same BOGO free offer above, redeemable at any locations that feature Cinnabon items. It’s available in the app only, and valid from October 4-7, no code required.
Noodles & Company: Celebrate National Noodle Day by taking 20% off all regular-sized entrees. This offer is exclusive for Noodles Rewards members and valid on October 6.
Yogurtland: October 7 is National Spoon Day, so head to your local Yogurtland and score a giant turquoise spoon for free with a $10 purchase in-store. What better way to display your love for delicious froyo? Online and third-party delivery orders are excluded from this offer.
The 9 Best Things to Buy in October
General Fall Savings Events
With Labor Day behind us and Black Friday officially coming up on November 25, you might be surprised to know that retailers offer general savings events during October. In fact, last year during this time frame, we saw almost 400 general sales that covered a variety of categories, including clothing, kitchen and dining items, toys, shoes, and seasonal decor, among others.
Some of the most notable October sales we saw included a Uniqlo event that took up to 70% off men’s items and a Kirkland’s clearance sale that knocked up to 75% off all kinds of decorative items. Both earned our Staff Pick badge, reserved for deals we consider “the best of the best.”
Kohl’s had a couple of noteworthy sales, as well; it took up to 60% off plus an extra 20% off fall home decor items. Additionally, it offered an extra $10 off $50 on select purchases. Aside from that sale, Kohl’s also took 40% to 50% off plus an extra 25% off select men’s clothing, which was perfect if you wanted a fall wardrobe refresh.
The discounts aren’t all for clothing and decorations, though. We also saw Steam offer up to 90% off during its Halloween sale, eBay offer a “buy two, get an extra 20% off” Blu-ray sale, and Macy’s offer up to 50% off select cologne and beauty clearance items.
This is a small selection of the sales we saw last year, and we expect a significant number of events to happen in October 2022, as well.
New Cars
This may not be as true these days due to recent vehicle-inventory shortages, but historically, October has been an excellent time to purchase a new car. It’s near the end of the year, when dealerships are often trying to clear out older inventory to make room for newer models, especially in time for the winter holidays. How many car commercials have you seen featuring shiny new vehicles with a big red bow on the hood and a snowy landscape in the background?
To ensure you’re able to get the best deal that you can, though, be careful about when you shop.
For instance, Autotrader notes that you may have better luck getting a deal if you buy a new car at the end of the month; that’s usually when salespeople are trying to reach quotas.
And you may have even better luck if you shop at the beginning of the week. In other words, go car shopping on a Monday. Chances are, salespeople will have more time to sit and negotiate, since the dealership could be less busy.
It’s also worth checking out the cars most likely to have deals before you start shopping, too. Those that are slow to sell will probably allow for more negotiating power — just make sure you aren’t sacrificing quality to save some cash.
Grills
While grills might be big during the warmer summer months, they’re also popular products during the fall, especially for those who enjoy tailgating. We tend to see deals surface around Labor Day, but there should be some in October, as well. Even better, there’s a good chance some will earn our Staff Pick designation.
Last year, about 20% of the grill deals we saw in October were Staff Picks, and included big brands like Pit Boss and Char-Broil. Watch for portable charcoal grills to drop to as little as $30, smokers to be $110, and gas grills to go for around $130.
We’ll likely also see deals on accessories. For instance, last year we saw wood grill brushes for $9, tongs with a removable LED light for $15, and water-resistant grill covers for $18.
Halloween Gear
Obviously, October is going to be one of the best times to buy Halloween items. Whether you have spooky vibes year-round or go all-in for this one month, you’re bound to come across deals on costumes, candy, and everything in between.
Watch for decorations to be as little as $4, while 13-piece sets of pumpkin carving tools could drop to $14. Keep an eye out for sales, too. Last year, Amazon knocked up to 30% off select Halloween items from Disney and Wayfair offered inflatable decorations priced from $27, for example.
Of course, sweet treats are a huge part of Halloween. Watch for a 34-pack of Halloween-themed Oreos to be $7, a Charms Mini Pops 400-pack to go for around $8, and a Nerds and Laffy Taffy 40-ounce variety pack to cost around $9. Needless to say, you should have plenty of options for goodies to hand out!
Plants
If you enjoy gardening, get ready to stock up on perennial plants. In October, many nurseries and even home improvement stores try to clear out inventory of these items, which means you have a good excuse to overhaul your home landscape.
Perennials don’t require replanting each year, making them fairly low maintenance as far as plants go.
If you want flowers for spring, consider looking for bulbs now; you can plant them before temperatures really drop and they’ll bloom when winter is over.
Jeans
Denim is a quintessential fall item, so if you’re in need of new jeans as the temperatures start to drop, October is a good month to keep an eye out for deals.
Last year, we saw women’s jeans for as little as $8 and men’s jeans for only $12. We also saw October sales at Levi’s, which took up to 60% off and had prices starting at $17, and Buckle, which offered jeans from $19.
Camping Gear
Some people are happy to camp year-round, but gear for this outdoor activity is usually most popular during the warmer months. Because of that, October tends to be a good time to find noteworthy savings on all kinds of gear for the great outdoors.
For instance, chilly fall mornings spent around the campfire call for coffee in aluminum camping mugs, which could be as little as $2 each in October. Light sources like pop-up lanterns could cost only $7, and inflatable pillows could be $9. Watch for personal coolers and trash cans to be priced from $10, while HotHands hand warmers could come in a variety pack for only $11.
And if your destination experiences high October temps, look into getting a portable air conditioner, too.
As for camping-themed sales? They could include Marmot taking up to 50% off a variety of tents, REI Outlet taking up to 50% off new markdowns, and Columbia offering up to 60% off.
In-Season Produce
With the price of groceries still high, many shoppers are feeling the pinch on their weekly trips. One way to mitigate those costs is by taking advantage of purchasing fresh, in-season produce when you can. We recommend checking out this seasonal food guide for the kinds of fruits and veggies that are native to your area and are excellent buys this month.
6 Things NOT to Buy in October
TVs
When to buy: November
Why: Black Friday still tends to have the most TV deals and often the best prices we see all year. November should bring a larger selection of discounted models, plus more stores offering savings.
Gift Cards
When to buy: December
Why: Thanks to the holiday season, December is an excellent time to shop for gift cards. Retailers and restaurants alike offer bonus cards with the purchase of select gift card amounts, so you can ensure your dollar goes further.
iPhone 14 devices
When to buy: November
Why: Apple announced the iPhone 14 in September, but by Black Friday we should see retailers like Target offering deals on the latest Apple devices.
Laptops
When to buy: November
Why: There are two times per year that are best for laptop purchases, and Black Friday is one of them because of the sheer volume of deals and quality of discounts.
Electronics
When to buy: November
Why: In general, Black Friday is huge for electronic discounts, so if you’re looking at these kinds of products, you’ll likely find a great deal during November.
Winter clothing
When to buy: November, or during postseason sales
Why: You’ll find some fall/winter items on sale around Black Friday, but if you want to bulk up your winter wardrobe, you’re probably better waiting for sales in January and February.
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