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by Patricia ChadwickRaising teenagers can be very expensive. There are a lot of added expenses as your children grow up. Clothes are more expensive, there are added fees for extra-curricular activities, not to mention the social events that are a "must" for many teens. As frugal parents of teens, we need to learn to save money in different areas that will compensate for the extra money we will need to spend during the teenage years.
One of the easiest ways to save money on many everyday items is by shopping seasonal sales. You can save hundreds of dollars every year by planning your spending to take advantage of the rhythmic pattern of buying and selling. It is just as important to know when to buy as it is to know how and where. I suggest you get your teens involved in your seasonal shopping. Learning this skill will help them learn to live frugally as they move into adulthood.
While local marketing conditions and each store's unique situation are reliable indicators of the frequency, time, and type of sales, and the amount of price reductions, the following sale calendar to help you get the most for your dollar when making purchases.
January - After-Christmas sales of Christmas merchandise, winter clothes, clothing, shoes, fur, handbags, toiletries, tablecloths, costume jewelry, furniture, toys, dishes, sports equipment and appliances. This is also the month that most stores feature a "White Sale," which includes most bedding such as sheets, pillowcases, blankets and quilts.
February - Furniture, rugs, mattresses, curtains, bedding, china, glassware, silverware, housewares, radios and C.D. players, stereo equipment and used cars.
March - Garden supplies, luggage, spring clothing, infants' wear, shoes, laundry appliances. luggage, skates, ski equipment and storm windows.
April - After-Easter sales for mostly clothes items including men's and boys' suits, women's and children's coats, housecoats and women's hats.
May - White sales, clean-up/fix-up supplies, blankets, women's undergarments, TV sets, handbags, sportswear and tires.
June - Women's ready-to-wear, TV sets, refrigerators, fabrics, summer clothes, dresses, building materials and lumber.
July - Shoes, summer clothes, bathing suits, lingerie, sportswear, home appliances, air conditioners, fuel oil, radios and stereo equipment, rugs and carpet, summer sports equipment and used cars.
August - Furniture, white sales, camping equipment, housewares, lamps, coats, tires, lawn mowers, sprinklers, yard tools, barbecue sets and tools, air conditioners, new cars, paint, school supplies, school clothes, bathing suits and fans.
September - Back-to-school supplies, housewares, bicycles, car batteries and mufflers, children's clothing, dishes, gardening equipment, glassware, hardware, lamps, paints, rugs and carpet and tools.
October - Fishing equipment, glassware, hosiery, housecoats, school clothes, school supplies, silverware and cars.
November - Coats, pre-Christmas items, quilts, shoes, boots, men's and boys' suits, kitchen appliances and water heaters.
December - Toys, gift items, coats, shoes, party items, quilts, used cars. The day after Christmas is Bargain Day all over.
~ Patricia Chadwick is a freelance writer and has been a stay-at-home mom for 15 years. She is currently a columnist in several online publications as well as editor of two newsletters. Parents & Teens is a bi-monthly newsletter geared to help parents connect with their teens. History's Women is a weekly online magazine highlighting the extraordinary achievements of women. Patti is also the author of History's Women - The Unsung Heroines now also available through BookLocker.
