What to Buy in October

By shopping standards, October is that odd month sitting smack in the middle of the back-to-school frenzy and the holiday shopping extravaganza. But frugal shoppers need not despair -- there are plenty of October deals to be had. The best buys range from leftover items from previous months to goods discounted in advance of the big shopping days to come. And don't forget, Halloween erupts in October. 

Here's the list of spooky October deals:

Halloween Gear. Unless you thought way ahead and bought aHalloween costume and decorations last November when prices were at their lowest, you'll need to be on the lookout for bargains this month. The longer you wait, the bigger the deals. There is a fine line, however -- you won't find many costume choices and sizes if you wait too long. The best time to buy Halloween gear is mid-month when selection is still decent and prices are lower. 

Denim. Back-to-school shopping is over and the holiday shopping season is just about due, and much like the month of October, denim is stuck in the middle. Retailers want to sell off back-to-school denim and make room for holiday trends, so keep your eye out for October deals on pants.

Cars. As we noted last month, car dealers are eager to make room on their lots for new 2014 models. October is prime time for striking a deal on a new car that happens to be stamped with last year's date.

Summer Gear. This is most likely the last month you'll see patio furniture, summer yard tools, and summer-themed decorations in stores. And you know where you'll see them: the clearance bins. Add window air conditioner units to the list of October deals and you can easily get ready for next summer now, for less.

Camping Gear. With the best of summer hikes and campouts now done, camping gear will go on sale this month. Find cheap and discounted sleeping bags, tents, and other camping gadgets. Check out Cheapism's recommendations for cheap sleeping bags and tents to help you save on good, low-cost products.

Appliances and Cookware. Deal News reports that September and October used to be the prime time to buy big appliances because this is when new models are introduced. In recent years, however, the site notes that the best big-appliance deals have been popping up in November. Cookware deals on pots, pans, and small appliances are also more enticing next month, so hold off until then; better yet, wait for the Black Friday sales.

Seasonal Produce. October is the month when the fall bounty begins to leave the fields even as some warm-weather plants are producing their final yields. Look for cheap apples, asparagus, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cranberries, grapes, honeydew melon, kale, leeks, lettuce, oranges, pears, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, and yams. If there's an apple orchard nearby, picking your own is cheaper yet. Sometimes the same can be said for pumpkins. Such outings in search of tasty October deals make for a fun time with family and friends on a weekend morning.