I’m a Shopping Expert: 8 Top Purchases I Make Every Summer

Summer is just around the corner, with the unofficial start of the season — Memorial Day — approaching quickly. And that means more outdoor time, gatherings and barbeques, trips to the beach and pool time.

And the data reflects this: According to new consumer research from Inmar Intelligence, 85% of consumers are planning to host or attend gatherings during the summer, and convenience and savings are top of mind.

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Other trends this summer include that coupons are heating up — with nearly half of consumers emphasizing the importance of coupons in the summer season compared to other times of the year — and the importance of skincare, with shoppers being mindful of their skincare and beauty routines in the summer.

Here are some top purchases shopping experts make every summer and why they are worth it.

Activewear

Thanks to a renewed interest in fitness and gym memberships, June is a pretty good time to shop for new activewear, said Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst with DealNews.

“In January, there tends to be a lot of sales around cold weather activewear, but in June, it’s all for warmer weather, so even if you shopped six months ago, it’s still worth checking out the sales in June,” she said.

She added that it’s particularly good for thinner leggings, short sleeve tops, tank tops, lightweight jackets and more, with prices starting at just $6 in many cases.

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Pool and Beach Gear

These items are at their lowest prices in the summer.

“Beach chairs, tents, pool toys, floats and towels are great prices and are competitively priced among retailers, so it’s worth taking time to compare prices,” said Melissa Cid, consumer savings expert for MySavings.com.

Swimwear

June is the last month before bathing suit season really gets going.

“In most parts of the country, it’s warm but not hot enough for beach days,” said Scott Lieberman, founder of Touchdown Money. “Plus, it’s still just before families really plan for beach outings, meaning now’s the time.”

Toys

This might be surprising, as June is far off from the holiday season. Yet, as Cid noted, Target, for instance, has an unadvertised semi-annual toy sale every summer in June and July with big discounts for every age.

“It’s a great time to stock up for birthdays and early Christmas gifts, as many go up to 70% off,” she said.

Bath and Body Products

According to Ramhold, while there could be deals at a variety of stores, the big one to watch is Bath & Body Works, as it’ll be hosting its summer semi-annual sale in June.

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“That’s when we tend to see a ton of products offered for anywhere from 50% to 75% off, so it’s typically a great time to stock up on your favorite scents in things like soaps, hand sanitizers, lotions and even their notable 3-wick candles,” she said. “Plus, there’s always a chance for extra savings in the form of promotions, such as $10 off $40.”

Fishing Supplies

As Lieberman explained, most states offer free fishing weekends in June.

“This means you can fish without a license, opening things up for the whole family. Having the right equipment means you can take full advantage,” he added.

Video Games

As kids get out of school, they’ve got more time to spend playing games. “Companies know this and put out sales to get them to buy, buy, buy,” said Lieberman.

He also noted that Steam’s Summer Sale usually comes out in June, as does GOG.com’s.

Ramhold echoed the sentiment, saying that whether you’re a gamer yourself or just know one, June is an excellent month to find tons of PC games for up to 90% off.

“Sales from Steam and GOG will both pop up this month, and I tend to stock up on a variety of items from my wishlist every June,” she added.

Look Out for Big Discounts

Another thing to be on the lookout for, said Cid, is that every July, you can expect discounts in every department for the big Amazon Prime Day sale.

“While dates haven’t been announced yet, it’s typically the second or third week in July,” she said.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I’m a Shopping Expert: 8 Top Purchases I Make Every Summer