Best Things to Buy in August

If you are a student, parent, or teacher, you have a lot of shopping to do this month. You can take advantage of some great back to school sales to stock up on necessary items, but be careful about buying things you don't really need just because they're on sale or in a pretty display in the store. You can also find great deals on other items besides back to school goodies, or take advantage of back to school sales to get some new things for your home, even if it's not a dorm room or frat house. We'll point out all the best deals in August, as well as some shopping traps to avoid this time of year.

Athletic Shoes



Kids grow fast -- especially their feet. Chances are they're due for new sneakers by the time the school year rolls around, either because they've outgrown last year's shoes, or because they've been playing outdoors all summer and their sneakers have taken a beating. Find great prices on kids' sneakers during back to school specials. If you're overdue for your own new shoes, now is the time to shop. You don't have to be going to P.E. class to justify the purchase!
Hot Prices: Asics Gel Women's Dedicate Tennis Shoes starting at $54.95 | Prince OC-I Men's Tennis Shoes from $49.99 | Nike Air Max Moto+ 7 Men's Running Shoes for $54.99 | More in Athletic Shoes



Camping Equipment


A camping trip is a great way to squeeze some extra fun out of the end of the summer. Camping gear goes on sale in August as most campers head back to school or the office until next summer and retailers look to clear their shelves for winter items, so you can score a bargain on some new gear now and try it all out on one last summer excursion. If the weather cooperates, you'll still have some chances this fall to go on weekend trips, too.
Hot Prices: Coleman 12x10ft Family Dome Tent for $79.99 | Camp Chef Two-Burner Portable Stove for $29.99 | Coleman 30° Andover Full Size Sleeping Bag for $31.49 | More in Camping Gear


Lawnmowers


Give it a couple more months and you'll be done mowing for the year -- hallelujah! But if your current mower isn't getting the job done as well as you'd like, now is the time to upgrade. No one buys a lawnmower in the winter, so these will all go on clearance in August. Get a nice lawnmower on a deep discount now, and mowing your lawn will be a little less tedious next season.
Hot Prices: Black & Decker 12 Amp 19-inch Electric Mulching Mower for $199 | Sun Joe Mow Joe 20-inch Electric Mower for $229.99 | Briggs and Stratton Lawn Boy Self Propelled Walk Power Mower for $249 | More in Lawn Mowers



Linens

One back to school item all college kids need is linens -- August is the time to find bargains on sheet sets, comforters, pillows, and more bed and bath items. If your bed could use a new set of sheets, shop now to do some simple redecorating on the cheap.
Hot Prices: JC Penney Wrinkle-Free Luxury Satin Sheets for just $19.99 | Chris Madden Victorian Luxe Comforter Set for $34.99 | Pacific Coast Touch of Down Standard Pillows for $34.99 | More in Linens


Computers


You can always catch a discount on computers when new models come out and you buy the yesterday's news model. But back to school shopping season is the one time of year when you can actually find pretty incredible deals on new computers. If you're starting college in the fall, you're going to want a laptop that can keep up with all your schoolwork, social networking, and multimedia needs. And if you're not a student, it's still a good time to shop for a great new computer at a low price.
Hot Prices: Acer Aspire One Netbook starting at $281.79 | Apple MacBook for $849 | Apple iPad for $615 | More in Laptops


Storage Containers

When you move into a new place, like a dorm or your first apartment, it probably won't be as spacious as Mom and Dad's house, and you might have trouble finding room for things. On the flip side, if your kid is moving out, maybe now is the time to start packing up some of the things they leave behind so you can repurpose their old bedroom for your new home office or gym. Storage containers will help you with packing, moving, and storing when you run out of shelf and closet space, and you'll find them on sale as part of back to school specials this August.
Hot Prices: Large Storage Bin with Hinged Lid 2-pack for $24.99 | Storage Solutions Poly Storage Bins set of 6 for $29.99 | Whitmor Under Bed Storage Box for $25.99 | More in Storage Containers

What Not to Buy In August

The back to school sales will no doubt get you into the stores, where it can be difficult to avoid add-on purchases when it seems like everything is deeply discounted. But some things will get cheaper if you wait until later in the year. Other things just aren't a good idea to buy right before you go back to school. For instance...

Video Games -- Sure, there are some hot new video games you've probably been itching to play, and having a great gaming system in your dorm room will make you the most popular freshman on the hall, but if you want to make it to your sophomore year, keep these distractions out of your dorm room at least until you've settled in to the whole college thing. Besides, gaming systems and games go on sale in the winter. Use the first semester to establish good study habits, then take advantage of deals and let yourself relax a little more in the spring term.
If you really can't wait, the Rock Band games are perfect for social gaming. Starting at $119.

Indoor Furniture -- Some dorm room furniture is available on sale this month, but none of this stuff is built to last. If you're looking for a new sofa or dining room table, now is not the time to shop -- these items are just hitting sales floors now and the prices are high. Look for clearance deals in the spring.
If you really can't wait, the Simmons Upholstery Paris Leather Sofa fits even most college budgets at just $487.