Why You Should Buy a Winter Coat Right Now

— -- intro: Scoring deals and saving money can be some of the best parts about shopping. Summer is a great time to shop, because retailers know that consumers are using their money for vacations, retreats and weekend activities. Combine that with tons of end-of-season leftovers, and it can really be the perfect time to hit the stores.

It doesn’t matter if you are shopping at thrift shops, websites with super deals and free shipping, or just taking advantage of the seasonal sales. If you are looking for deals, you will definitely find them – you just have to know what to shop for. Don’t let the heat keep you from stocking up on winter goods.

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quicklist:title: Buying Usedtext:

If you are shopping for kids, remember some things are OK (and even best) bought used. A winter coat can be one of those things. Since kids can grow quickly, a coat may last only one season. This means a used coat can be almost like new. It also means you might be buying a new coat again next year so you likely don’t want to spend too much. Knowing kids grow so quickly can make buying a winter coat now a little trickier. It’s a good idea to err on the side of caution – going too big rather than too small.

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quicklist:title: Sift Through Salestext: At this point in the year, most people are still thinking about summer or perhaps beginning to consider fall purchases. But you can catch a good deal by finding last year’s coats on deep discounts.

While light jackets may be appearing on mannequins at the highest retail value, the heavyweight fleeces, puffers and parkas from last year are still available — and at a much lower price point. Since many people won’t buy winter items while it is so hot, sales are ranging from 20 to 60 percent off. This may require some digging and not every coat will be available in every size, but if you can find a coat at a deep discount, you could be set for winter.

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If you’re worried that you won’t find the stylish, fresh looks for this year, stick to the classics or research what is trending. Most designers have already debuted their upcoming winter collections at fashion shows so the word is already out on what will be trendy. Thinking ahead means you can save big and look great. Just remember, as the temperature drops, jacket prices will climb.

quicklist:title: Other Good Timestext:

The next time you can find deals this great on winter outerwear will likely be Black Friday or right after Christmas, but you’ll probably already need to have that winter coat by then. While you’re out, consider stocking up on swimwear, patio furniture and grills because this end-of-summer sale means getting bargains up to 80 percent off. Check out what other hot deals come up in August and continue to be a smart shopper so you get the goods you need and want without overspending.