Best Things to Buy in August

The month of August is a busy one for most. As summer winds down and autumn begins to creep in, moms are busy marking off back to school lists for their kiddos while yards and homes are getting prepped for fall weather and travel plans are being made for the upcoming holidays. With all that running around, it's hard to catch your breath, let alone do research on what's trending or what products are at their lowest price points.

Have no fear -- we're here to save the day. So, find 10 to 20 minutes to call your own, grab your choice beverage and let us guide you via this list of the best things to buy in August.

Swimwear

We know the season for splashing around in crisp waters and sunbathing is practically over, but don't cut your swimsuit's life short.

Because prices are now slashed on summer apparel -- including swimwear (prices are drastically low right now) -- it's the perfect time to snatch up an additional bathing suit or replace an old one.

If you buy now, you'll have at least another month of wear left in your new suit. Additionally, just because it's cold outside doesn't mean you have to put your swimwear to rest. Wear your new suit at any indoor pool or, if you're lucky, to a tropical destination over the holidays. Oh yes, if you want a little inspiration, check out what real women like you said about their favorite, most comfortable swimsuit.

Hot Prices:
O'Neill Painted Desert Swimsuit Top, $43.99
Miraclesuit Printed Slimming One Piece Bathing Suit, $71.99 (Retail $138)
Gottex Floral-Print Bandeau One Piece Swimsuit, $85 ($170 retail price)
Mossimo Women's 2-Piece Bikini Swimsuit with Brown Strips, $19.99
ASOS Cross Front Swimsuit, $43.10
Calvin Klein Shirred One-Piece Swimsuit, $49 (Retail $98)
Nike Lingerie Tank Women's Swimsuit, $63.97 (Retail $80)

Jewelry

We know you're probably on a spending binge right now, so buying something for yourself is probably hard to justify. If you're pinching pennies, but still want to a) keep up with the trends b) update your look and c) snag a little something for yourself, jewelry is the best route to go.

Summer's a prime time to buy jewelry because there aren't holidays that lend themselves to buying things like necklaces, bracelets or earrings (unlike November through May where jewelry's purchased as gifts for holiday engagements or gifts for Mother's Day). As a result, jewelers move product via awesome sales.

Jewelry is also an easy and inexpensive way to update a tired wardrobe. Right now we love the look of a giant cuff, statement necklace or bauble ring. Also trending is geometric or architectural pieces and masculine metals and animal prints.

Hot Prices:
Blu Bijoux Emerald Facet Bib Necklace, $60 (Retail $125)
Full Tilt Facet Cheetah Ring, $5.99
Tryst Bold Striped Bangle, $15.60 (Retail $26)
The Limited Shiny Disk Earrings, $22.90
LOFT Oval Pave Ring, $16.50

Athletic Shoes

Even if you don't have children, you can still benefit from all the back to school sales happening right now.

In addition to school supplies -- which double as office necessities -- you'll find that athletic shoes are especially cheap. And, what better time of the year to throw on a pair of comfy sneakers and enjoy the upcoming cooler weather?

Note that when it comes to athletic shoes, fit and comfort are essential to a healthy body. Even as adults, our feet continue to outgrow old shoes.

Replace yours at least once every few years to prevent injury. Doing so will also keep you more motivated when it comes to physical fitness.

Hot Prices:
Asics Corrido, $55
Pearl Izumi - SyncroFloat IV, $82.50 (Retail $110)
New Balance Women's 442 Sneaker in Grey/Pink, $49.95
Adidas Climacool Chill Open Mesh Shoes, $67.50 (Retail $75)
Puma Espera III Nu Basic Shoes, $70

Scarves

Few accessories are as versatile as scarves. You can wear one as a headband, as a belt, around your wrist as a bracelet or upper arm as a cuff.
You can even tie a scarf to the handle of your purse for an inexpensive, updated look or around your neck for a dash of stylish warmth.

This season, scarves in playful patterns are especially trending. Think texturized, faux animal prints like zebra or snake, retro standards like polka dots and pin stripes and solid hues in bright colors like yellow, blue, neon and red.

Hot Prices:
Juicy Couture Water Color Dot Scarf, $68
Bebe 2B Geometric Black and White Scarf, $12.95
Old Navy Women's Flora Gauze Scarves, $12.94
Justin Gregory Crinkle Dot Scarf in Coral and White, $30 (Retail $50)
Anthropologie In The Wind Scarf, $19.95 (Retail $38)
Gap Pom Pom Trim Scarf, $19.95 (Retail $29.95)

Nail Polish

Just as the leaves are about to change, you should consider adding more color to your look.

An easy way to do so just that without breaking the bank is via nail polish or nail products.

Right now, colors like fire engine red, Yves Klein blue, grass green and banana yellow are super trendy; as are the traditional fall hues like eggplant, burnt orange, burgundy and woody brown.

Use the colors to accent your fall ensemble. Try matching your nails with a piece of jewelry or detail on a bag/shoe for a subtle touch.

For a more playful approach, paint one nail a different color or alternate nail polish colors for every nail. You can also draw designs with the help of nail polish pens or apply a nail sticker for major impact.

Hot Prices:
Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Collection, $2.49
Sephora Collection Nail Patch Art, $12
Essie Nail Color in A List, $8
Sally Handsen Nail Art Pens Collection, $7.04
Forever 21 Neon Orange Nail Polish, $2.80
NARS Vintage Nail Polish in King Kong, $17
Sally Hansen Salon Manicure Color Collection, $6.49

What Not to Buy

Furniture
Over the past few months, furniture stores have had discounted prices. Why? To move old stock off the floor and make room for the new stuff. That new stuff is now on display and price points are the highest they'll ever be. Instead of buying furniture now, hold off until after the holidays.

Fitness Equipment
Like furniture, fitness equipment price tags are also pretty high during the fall months. This is the time when people buy indoor equipment so they can work out in doors and out of the cooler temps. High demand yields high prices.

Coats
You've likely noticed that price tags on products like flip flops and summer apparel are super low. That's because stores want to make room for fall and winter items like coats. If you can wear your coat for an additional winter, we recommend doing so and then buying when they go on sale during the winter and early spring.


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