Courtney Omell | 

9 Things to Buy in August (And Where to Shop the Best Sales)

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Wondering what to stock up on in August? You can expect to see rock-bottom prices on back-to-school supplies. It's also a great time to stock your pantry with easy back-to-school snacks and fill up the medicine cabinet to prepare for flu season (it'll be here soon).

The big Labor Day sales will kick off in late August this year, and you'll find patio deals and gardening items on sale, as well as tech, furniture, and home decor. And shop deals on back-to-school essentials for college students and teachers — it's not all about the K - 12 kids! Here’s my list of what to buy in August. 

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a calendar of retail events in august

1. Back-to-School Medicine Deals

stock-up-in-august-what-to-buy-wellness-and-snacks-kcl-12

We see stock-up pricing on back-to-school deals for your medicine cabinet in August. Since kids of all ages will be heading back to school this month, expect them to bring home germs (ugh).

Whether you're a parent or teacher, prepare for the upcoming flu season with deals on throat drops, pain relief, and more this month.

Stock the Medicine Cabinet

2. Back-to-School Snack Deals

Trying to stockpile snacks and lunch items? Now's a great time. There are deals and coupons on snacks, cereals, and lunchbox needs. Look for deals on Kraft Mac & Cheese, Capri Sun, and lots more mid-month — we know they're coming!

Stock the Pantry

Best August Shopkick Deals

I've also found some pantry-stocking deals from Shopkick on back-to-school favorites.

3. Clearance Patio Deals at Lowe’s and Walmart

You’ll see 50% - 70% off during patio clearance sales in late August. Prices typically hit 70% off by mid-month. Walmart and Lowe’s had the biggest discounts in August 2023, and we expect the same in 2024.

Last year, I saw a Mainstays Loveseat and Coffee Table Set (regularly $327) for $97 at Walmart — a 70% savings. And Lowe’s had an outdoor accent table marked down 75%, from $48.98 to $12.24, and patio cushions priced as low as $5.24.

Watch for 75% off clearance patio at Lowe’s around Aug. 14 and 70% off at Walmart around Aug. 20.

4. Easy Freezer Food From Jack's

Stock up in August on easy after-school snacks. These new Jack's Pull-Apart Sticks drop to just $4.22 for a 10-count at Walmart. Shop four flavors — cheese, pepperoni, sausage, and supreme — at just $0.84 per serving.

To get this deal, grab a 10-count box for $4.97 and submit the $0.75 Walmart Cash* offer to drop the price to $4.22 per box.

*Subject to manufacturer offers & Walmart Cash Terms of Use. Offer valid on 10-count Jack's Pull-Apart Pizza Sticks, while supplies last. Limit 5. See terms at Walmart.com.

5. Easy Pantry Food From Kraft and Velveeta

Microwavable mac and cheese is a pantry staple — for college kids and K-12 students alike. Stock up on these at Kroger this month to pay just $0.87 per serving of Kraft Mac & Cheese Cups and Velveeta Shells & Cheese Cups.

The 4-packs of both the Kraft Mac & Cheese Cups and Velveeta Shells & Cheese Cups drop from $4.49 to $3.49 each when you buy five. That's $17.45 for 20 cups — working out to $0.87 each.

6. Kids’ Back-to-School Gear (Buy in Bulk to Save the Most)

target-back-to-school-supplies-kcl-12-3x2

Back-to-school shopping starts in June or July and runs through September, with many of the best deals hitting in August. I'm already seeing $5 back-to-school deals on backpacks and school uniforms in this month’s sales. 

The Target Back-to-School Sale and the Walmart Back-to-School Sale are the big ones to watch since their prices are hard to beat. Look for BOGO deals to buy enough to last the entire school year, like Sharpie BOGO 25% off at Target coming up on Aug. 25.

But Amazon back-to-school deals are getting more competitive every year, with prices like $0.25 glue sticks and $0.55 rulers. You can also shop Amazon school supply deals by purchasing in bulk and splitting costs with other parents. And right now, you can get $10 off Amazon school supply purchases of $50 or more.

Here are my favorite bulk deals to get below-stock-up pricing:

  • Bic Pens, 144 ct, $13.99 (as low as $0.10 each, at the stock-up price)

  • Plastic Rulers, 30 ct, $10.99 ($0.37 each, $0.05 under the stock-up price)

  • Kids' Scissors, 100 ct, $36.49 ($0.36 each, $0.14 under the stock-up price)

  • Pink Erasers, 108 ct, $20.99 ($0.19 each, $0.06 under the stock-up price)

  • Pencil Zipper Bag, 42 ct, $18.99 ($0.45 each, $0.55 under the stock-up price)

Note: Amazon prices change frequently. Use this as a guide to set bulk-pricing goals.

7. Labor Day Deals

Labor Day deals will be early this year, y’all. We’re predicting that sales will begin as soon as Aug. 22, 2024. Here are the ones you should be shopping.

Home Depot

Some of the best garden deals return in the Home Depot Labor Day Sale, like $0.25 pavers and $2 mulch. Plus, watch for deals on fall mums (I'm crossing my fingers the 4-for-$10 deal returns).

You’ll see up to 60% off patio items and 50% off fire pits. Last year, we even saw a 91% discount on a 2-pack of Hampton Bay Poolside Chaise Loungers (regularly $539); they were priced at just $49, or $24.50 per chair. 

I predict the Home Depot Labor Day sale will run Aug. 22 - Sept. 2.

KCL TIP: Wait for Home Depot’s November sales — particularly Black Friday — to shop for large appliances.

Lowe’s

Along with patio furniture clearance, Lowe’s Labor Day Sale has discounts on grills and garden supplies, and up to $400 off outdoor power equipment. 

My favorite deals in this sale every year are the $2 mums, 40% off planters (with prices as low as $2.98), and the Lowe’s BOGO paint rebate. I hope the paint rebate returns for its third year — you’ll get 25% off two cans from brands like Valspar and Sherwin Williams. 

I predict the Lowe’s Labor Day sale will run Aug. 22 - Sept. 4.

Walmart

My favorite part about the Walmart Labor Day Sale is that it overlaps with their end-of-summer clearance. Plus, they’ve got deals on much more than just garden supplies and patio furniture. You’ll also see discounts on tech, home, apparel, and toys. 

Watch for $99 AirPods, $129 Apple Watches, up to 75% off Pioneer Woman, and 50% off outdoor furniture.

I predict the Walmart Labor Day sale will run Aug. 26 - Sept. 2.

Kroger

The Kroger weekly ads will have deals for Labor Day cookout items all month long. I’m talking deals on all the necessities like burgers, buns, chips, and ingredients for your favorite sides. Check out the digital coupons for Hellman's and Sir Kensington below — you can use them as many times as you need through the holiday weekend.

Here are the hottest August deals at Kroger:

  • $2 off one Hellman's product per purchase (Aug. 21 - Sept. 4)

  • $3 off one Sir Kensington product per purchase (Aug. 21 - Sept. 4)

  • Mott’s Applesauce 6-Count Cups for $1.49 (Weekly Digital Deal on Aug. 21)

  • Select 10-Count K-Cup Pods for $3.99 (Weekly Digital Deal on Aug. 14)

  • Snapple 16-Ounce Singles priced at 10 for $10 or Snapple Minis 8-Count for $5.99 (Aug. 14 - Sept. 3)

Kohl's

Look for deals on towels, pillows, kids' apparel, and shoes in Kohl's Labor Day Sale. Watch for 70% off beach towels, 50% off mattress pads, and 60% off dorm items like butterfly chairs and backrest pillows.

Plus, there will be a $10 off $25 coupon, with $5 Kohl's Cash for every $25 spent.

Wayfair

We're predicting that the Wayfair Labor Day Sale will kick off on Aug. 27, 2024. Based on prior years' sales, you'll likely see furniture, patio, and home decor marked up to 70% off.

Also check this sale for fire pits and fire rings — you'll find savings of up to 80% on select items.

8. Lice Prevention and Treatment

It's not fun to talk about, but along with germs kids can bring home lice from school. With $4 or $5 Ibotta rebates, we've seen stock-up pricing on lice prevention and treatment at Walmart and CVS — making now a good time to stock up.

You'll get the Lice Prevention Leave-In Spray for $10.99 with a $4 rebate and and $5 ExtraBucks reward. And the Lice Removal Kit is just $18.48 after a $5 Ibotta rebate at Walmart.

Nix® Lice Prevention Spray
Online or In-Store Deal at CVS
$10.99$19.9945% off
What to buy
Pickup: Free
Price Summary
Pay $19.99, get $4 Ibotta rebate and $5 ExtraBucks
Nix Ultra® Lice Removal Kit
In-Store or Online Deal at Walmart
$18.48$23.4821% off
Pickup: Free
Price Summary
Pay $23.48, get $5 Ibotta rebate

9. Shop back-to-college deals for personal care and household essentials.

With students going back to college, you'll also see deals on personal care products you'd normally buy. Now's a good time to stock up.

A few other freebies or things to buy in August

chocolate-chip-cookie-KCL

National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day is a yearly daylong event full of free and cheap cookies from restaurants like Insomnia, Crumbl, Mrs. Fields, Potbelly, and BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse.

Target Denim Take Back Event — Aug. 4 - 10

During this first-ever Denim Take Back Event at Target, you can trade in your old denim (yes, any brand!) and get a 20% off Target Circle coupon you can use on new denim purchases.

National Bowling Day — Aug. 10

National Bowling Day is a daylong event where alleys offer free bowling and other specials. Deals often include reduced prices per game or free games, along with discounts on food, beverages, and event packages.

Instacart's Back-to-School Week — Aug. 13 - 19

From Aug. 13 - 19, Instacart’s Back-to-School Week offers up to 25% off your entire order across back-to-school supplies, grocery, and convenience items. Some of the top retailers participating in Deal Week are Best BuyRite AidStaplesSprouts, and Bath & Body Works. You'll save on everything from headphones and notebooks to after-school snacks and backpacks.

Here are a few of my favorite Instacart promos that will be available during this sale:

  • Frito-Lay Variety Pack: Spend $50, Save $10

  • Smucker’s Uncrustables Sandwiches: Spend $20, Save $5

  • Oreo Cookies: Spend $18, Save $3 

Fetch Shop Bonus — Aug. 16 - 21

From Aug. 16 - 21, Fetch users can earn a 2,000-point bonus on any Fetch Shop transaction. Even better: All Fetch Shop retailers will have a points-per-dollar increase between 5 - 20x their normal value during this time period. This means you'll receive at least 100 Fetch Shop rewards points points per dollar at all Fetch Shop retailers.

Here's an example of school supplies you'll be able to get points on when you scan your receipt via Fetch:

  • Elmer's: up to 350 points

  • Expo: up to 1,000 points

  • Krazy Glue: up to 500 points

  • Paper Mate: up to 1,000 points

  • Sharpie: up to 2,000 points

National Dog Day — Aug. 26

National Dog Day falls on Aug. 26 every year. You'll find deals on doggy subscriptions like BarkBox or SuperChewer, dog doughnuts at Krispy Kreme, free ID tags, and more.

Labor Day Freebies and Food Deals

Restaurants offer their own sales during Labor Day weekend. You might see deals like a free Firehouse sub, White Castle BOGO deals, or free ice cream with a cookie purchase at Insomnia Cookies. Plus, we're tracking all the best Labor Day grocery deals for your end-of-summer barbecues.

Wait until September ...

I typically see sales in September with deep discounts on the following:

  • Grills

  • Halloween items

  • Camping gear