Editor's Note: This story comes from partner site DealNews.com.
October isn’t exactly known for having tons of deals or shopping holidays, although Black Friday has started to stretch into the middle of the month instead of sticking to November. Still, in many circles October is most well-known for its 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.
Check out our guide on what to buy in October 2023, as well as the items you should buy later — or at least do extra research on before you add them to your cart. Then take a look at our guide on the best things to buy every month, so you’ll know how to save throughout the year!
The 9 Best Things to Buy in October
1. Amazon’s Prime Event
Amazon has announced a second Prime-exclusive event for 2023, and it’s happening October 10-11. We have the info you need to know on this Prime Big Deal Days sale here!
The event is following the timing of the Prime Early Access Sale from last October, kicking off at 3 am ET on the day it starts and running for 48 hours. Prime Big Deal Days will be exclusive to Prime members again, and will feature deals from brands such as Sony, LG, Dyson, Barbie, iRobot, SharkNinja, Peloton, Jabra, and others. (If you’re interested in Prime, check out info on Prime membership deals here.)
Last year we saw discounts of up to 80% off items like select Fire TVs, so these kinds of offers could return again this year, too.
2. General Fall Savings Events
With Labor Day behind us and Black Friday officially coming up on November 24, you might be surprised to know that retailers offer general savings events during October.
Some of the most notable October sales we saw last year included the following:
- Up to 50% off at Skechers
- Early Black Friday deals at Target
- A 48-hour flash sale at Best Buy
- A Harman Audio Halloween Sale that knocked up to 70% off
- A Macy’s Clearance and Closeout event that cut up to 80% off
Kohl’s had a handful of noteworthy sales, as well. It took up to 80% off a variety of categories and offered the chance to take an extra 20% off select purchases, as well as an extra $10 off orders of at least $50. It also knocked up to 79% off Halloween items, with the same extra discounts above available on select purchases.
Looking for discounts on other products? In October 2022, we also saw Steam offer up to 90% off during its One Special Day Sale, Amazon cut up to 75% off home items and more during a savings event, and Home Depot take up to 56% off tools.
These are a small selection of the sales we saw last year, and we expect a significant number of events to happen in October 2023, as well.
3. Free Tacos and Desserts
National Taco Day falls on October 4, while National Dessert Day is on October 14.
This month will be the perfect time to indulge in tacos from different restaurants, so keep an eye on your favorites for special promotions.
As for desserts, you may be better off looking to grocery stores and big-box retailers for discounted goodies to celebrate. Even so, it’s worth watching your favorite dessert-offering restaurants for promotions around that holiday, just in case.
Last year, National Taco Day deals included ones like the following:
- 10 mini tacos for $2 at 7-Eleven
- $1 off tacos at Chronic Tacos
- Select tacos for $1.50 each at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
- $2 classic or $4 premium tacos at On the Border
- Free tacos with any purchase at Rubio’s Coastal Grill
- Eat for free when you dress like a taco at Chuy’s
As for dessert deals on October 14, know that some notable chains decided to offer them last year. BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse offered $5 Pizookies all day; Potbelly let customers get a free Dream bar or cookie of their choice; and McAlister’s Deli had “buy one, get one” desserts.
4. Grills
Grills might be big during the warmer summer months. But 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, notable offers included sales at Woot! and Ace Hardware that took up to 42% off and up to $180 off, respectively. We also saw indoor smokeless grills for $36, a Cuisinart 18″ vertical smoker for $51, a Char-Griller Akorn Jr. Kamado grill for $127, and other offers.
Accessories also saw discounts. Shoppers could get a charcoal starter for $8 and a 20-pound bag of hardwood pellets for $11, for example.
5. 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 Halloween costumes, candy, and everything in between.
Watch for decorations to be as little as $6, while LED masks could go for around $7 and select graphic tees could hit lows of $8.
Of course, sweet treats are a huge part of Halloween. Watch for 9.8-ounce bags of fun-size, Halloween-themed goodies to be as little as $4, while varieties of Hershey’s bagged candy could be $5, and 100-packs of chocolate alternatives like Sour Patch Kids and Swedish Fish could go for $8.
Whether you’re shopping for your own sweet tooth or to hand out these goodies on October 31, you’re better off waiting until later in the month for the absolute best deals.
6. Plants
If you enjoy gardening, get ready to stock up on perennial plants. In October, many nurseries and home improvement stores try to clear out inventory of these items. That gives you a good excuse to overhaul your home’s landscaping.
Perennials don’t need 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.
7. Jeans
Denim is a quintessential fall item. So if you need new jeans as the temperatures start to drop, know that October is a good month to keep an eye out for deals.
Last year, we saw jeans for as little as $11, while Gap Factory dropped starting prices to $14. We also saw sales at Amazon, which knocked up to 62% off brands like Calvin Klein and Wrangler. Belk, meanwhile, offered denim prices starting at just $23, and Lucky Brand offered jeans from $25 but also had shorts priced from just $14. This promotion was perfect for anyone who wasn’t ready to let summer go yet.
8. 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, we could see outdoor knives for as little as $2, while pocket knives could be around $3. Necessities like a Coleman 8-piece tent accessory kit could go for just $6, while light sources like oil hurricane lanterns could cost as little as $7. Watch for items that make camping easier, as well, such as a 24-pack of fire-starting blocks for $8, multi-tools for $10, 28″ machetes for $11, and mesh chairs for $15.
As for camping-themed sales? They could include REI knocking up to 75% off clearance camp furniture, Marmot offering deals on apparel and equipment starting at just $7, and Amazon taking up to 50% off camping and hiking equipment.
9. Seasonal Produce
There are plenty of good reasons to shop for seasonal produce, from saving on your grocery bill to enjoying items at their peak quality. We recommend checking out this seasonal food guide to see the kinds of fruits and veggies that are native to your area and are excellent buys this month.
And 5 Things to Consider Buying in October
Patio Furniture
Summer is well and truly over in October, but we could still see patio furniture deals available as retailers try to clear out remaining inventory. Shoppers may even be able to grab products that are suitable for cooler weather, such as patio heaters and outdoor blankets. Look for offers similar to those below:
- Up to 61% off patio furniture and accessories at Amazon
- Up to 80% off plus an extra 10% off outdoor furniture at Macy’s
- Up to 50% off outdoor furniture at Wayfair
New Cars
This category is a bit of a toss-up, as it’ll depend on what kind of vehicle you’re shopping for. Traditionally, this is about the time when dealerships start getting vehicles for the upcoming year and try to sell off older models.
It’s worth checking out the cars most likely to have deals before you start shopping. 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.
Lawn Mowers
Once cooler temperatures set in, lawn mowers aren’t as necessary as they are during the summer. So if you need a new one, it may be a good time to shop. Watch for offers like these:
- Up to 43% off Greenworks tools at Amazon
- Up to 42% off outdoor power equipment and storage at Home Depot
- Up to 56% off outdoor power products at Amazon
Snow Tools
Winter is looming, and retailers know that shoppers will be looking for deals to cope with frosty conditions. We expect to see discounts such as the following:
- An extra 22% off Snow Joe items at eBay
- Greenworks snow throwers at Amazon from $145
- Ice scrapers from $4
Major Appliances
It’s no guarantee, but we may see decent savings on select large appliances this month. Look for offers like these:
- Up to 60% off at Build.com
- Up to 60% off at Best Buy
- Up to $1,500 off at Samsung
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.
iPhone 15 Devices
When to buy: November
Why: Apple has its iPhone announcements in September, but Black Friday is when 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 electronics 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 off waiting for sales in January and February.
Gift Cards
When to buy: December
Why: Thanks to the holiday season, December is an excellent time to shop gift card deals. Retailers and restaurants alike offer bonus cards with the purchase of select gift card amounts, so you can ensure your dollar goes further.
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