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Deals to scoop up or avoid in September

Posted at 7:11 AM, Sep 16, 2014
and last updated 2014-09-16 07:45:07-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — As summer winds down, so do the prices on some items on the market. Here are a few great things that are a great time to buy according to Forbes.com, lifehacker.comand Consumer Reports.

Grills: many people like to grill all year-long, but these are considered a summer item, meaning, stores need to clear them out-of-the-way to make room for other cold weather seasonal items. Don’t just jump at the first one you see on sale, though. Use Consumer Reports to help you pick out the one that fits your needs.

Bicycles: Unless they are the awesome fat tire bikes meant to go in the snow, let’s face it, places like Michigan only have  few months when they really can enjoy getting out there, and letting the wind blow through their hair. Walmarthas a woman’s 26 inch bike marked down to $79 (orig. $99)

Trees, shrubs and flowers: Nurseries that were in full bloom all summer long close down as the fall season heads our way. Sometimes it’s a guessing game of what color your tree might bloom, only because the blooms are all gone. But then again, that could really leave with you with something to look forward to in the spring. I am taking the cup half full, rather than empty approach to this one. Also, plant mums right now! Many places have them as low as $2.99 and they come back up, next year, too.

Mowers: If only there was a need to mow our lawns all the way until December, here in Michigan! Forbes.com points out that you can save up roughly 40 percent if you buy mowers in September.

Wine: Go ahead, wine about it, I say! September is prime harvesting season, so all kinds of great new reveals that winemakers want consumers to get their hands on to review.

Small electronics: Might be a good time to think ahead to Christmas; there, I said it. Due to back-to-school sales, you can snag some amazing deals on small electronics right now.

Items to hold off on:

Refrigerators : Spring is actually the best time to snag one of these, according to Consumer Reports because new models are revealed  May through July.

Gaming Systems: When Christmas rolls around, there are a lot of “extras” that get thrown into bundle deals.

Furniture: The best month to snag this is in February, according to Consumer Reports.  During that time, is when things ranging from sectionals to sofas go on sale in anticipation of the new line arriving in April.