Need it this summer? Buy it now.

[donnafreedman]

That's the theme of my column this week at MSN Money, which you can find here:
money.msn.com/saving-money/what-to-buy-now-for-summer-savings-freedman.aspx
Post-holiday clearances and certain things that are cheaper now than later (camp enrollment, cruise bookings, convertibles) can boost your budget. And a whole bunch of things, from office furniture to mattresses, traditionally go on sale this time of year.
Anyone else buying $3.48 shirts from Target or those lawnmowers at the back of the local hardware store? Or hitting the January white sale?

[Deleted]

I'm one of those non spenders for the next couple of months that inspire the deals the rest of you are getting.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

When my wonderful DH comes home from Iraq next month, we're going door shopping for a new garage door and a security screen door. Our old one needs replacing (it's 32 years old) ... but I don't know if things like outside doors and security screen doors go on sale, really.

I did venture into one of my favorite clothing stores last week and went rummaging around the clearance racks and found a basic white tank top with embellishments at the collar for under $5 ... so I snapped it up and paid cash for it. Shopping the clearance racks off-season for clothes is often a really great idea for those people who know what size they are/will be in that season.

I keep getting email ads for airfare sales ~ but never for our city. But for people who live in hub cities, I think there are some nifty deals out there.

[sccdf]

I'm usually so far behind that I'm ahead on the seasons. Just before Christmas I bought a sleeveless shirt I'm eager to wear ($1.50) and a pair of sandals ($2). I might wear the shirt under a blazer now. I try not to buy too much clothing because I have a large wardrobe. Usually I stock up on discontinued sunscreen this time a year.

While it is still cold I will make reservations for our summer vacation. Most hotels let you make reservations months ahead. They have a limited number of cheap rooms. I will book what I want and cancel if I find something better later or can't keep the date. Unfortunately you can't do that with plane tickets.

[motherto2]

Trying not to buy much of anything right now. Might be going to Hawaii in March because DD is getting ready to be stationed there to finish her Army training. If she can get a few days off after the training is complete, I'll spend the money to go out there. Definitely wasn't in the budget, but how do you not take advantage of that?!?

[donnafreedman]

Mollymouser: Are you planning to buy your screen door and/or your garage door from a place like Sears, Lowe's or Home Depot? If so, see if you can buy it through a cash-back shopping site and specify "site to store" delivery.
In other words, buy it online but pick it up at the store (or see if they offer free delivery). You'll get at least a 3% to 4% cash-back. (If you decide to check this out I can give you a referral code. They will start you off with a $5 sign-up bonus.)

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Donna ~ Thanks! I will let you know. My wonderful DH has the final say, but he likes Lowes and Home Depot. But to get his 10% military discount from Lowes, it has to be an in-store purchase (and I don't think he can get it on special order items.)

[donnafreedman]

Definitely the 10% would be better...but ask them if your picking it up in the store means "store purchase." Worth a shot. That way, you'd get up to 14% off. Just sayin'.