Ah, September! You start out the month with barbecues and back-to-school, and wrap it up with … doing all your holiday shopping? 

It sounds ambitious, and a little unrealistic, but it’s the smart thing to do — and not just because you’ll be way less stressed in December (a HUGE perk). Doing your holiday shopping well before the holidays can save your bank account too, even if retailers don’t want you to know it.

5 Insider reasons to knock out your holiday shopping in September

1. Sneaky Black Friday tactics

This might just blow your mind: Black Friday’s models of electronics and appliances are often lesser versions of their normal counterparts. Oh yes, every year, manufacturers churn out these lower-spec products just for the Black Friday frenzy. As a result, retailers dangle these ‘deep discount’ carrots in front of you. 

Even bigwigs like Walmart and Best Buy are in on it, often offering TVs with unique model numbers for Black Friday, usually with stripped down features. So, yeah, think twice before you wait for those ‘deals.’

2. Price gymnastics

Ever noticed a coffee maker that rose from $150 to $200, only to become $150 again as a “25% off” deal during holiday sales? Confusing, right? It’s a sneaky strategy called price anchoring, where retailers bounce prices up and down to make discounts seem more attractive.

Keep an eye out for the TRUE discounts. They may not be the same as what you’re led to believe.

3. A clearance goldmine

September is the real treasure hunt month with loads of clearance sales. Retailers wave goodbye to summer inventory and last year’s holiday leftovers, often with discounts deeper than those flashy holiday promos. 

Think patio furniture and grills from Home Depot — better deals in September than on Black Friday. Now that’s a score!

4. Loss leaders: guess who loses?

The loss leader strategy is basically the holiday season equivalent of a BOGO sale. It’s a tricky way of getting you to spend more by saving more (spaving). Retailers get you in the door  with one really amazing flash sale deal on an in-demand item to get you in the door, then boom! — you’re filling your cart.

It’s a strategy we associate more with in-person shopping, but there are plenty of online tactics too (ahem — free shipping). It’s all part of the holiday shopping buzz machine, which brings us to…

5. Strategic inventory

Retailers have this crafty habit of engaging in what’s called “strategic inventory management.” They intentionally understock popular items early in the season to create a buzz. 

Fall prey to their artificial scarcity tactics, or beat them at their own game by shopping before the holiday rush. It can save you from the “sold out” heartache later.

Tips for effective holiday shopping in September

Take advantage of seasonal sales & clearances

A lot of things that make great holiday gifts are just as discounted during back-to-school and Labor Day sales. And we’re not talking about backpacks and gel pens — laptops, clothing, and home goods are often marked down during these events. 

Think about it: you might actually get a much BETTER deal on a sweet outdoor grill setup when it’s on clearance for 50%, 60%, or even 70% off after summer ends, rather than during the holidays when retailers are likely to discount them a little less because demand will be higher. 

It may not be the latest model by the time December hits, but your quality to cost ratio could easily outweigh that.

Try price tracking

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: sellers on Amazon love to jack up prices right before a “sale” so that they can label it as discounted, even if the sale price is higher than the price before it was inflated. This is the new way of the world in online shopping. 

 But with a little know-how, you can stay one step ahead. Tools like Keepa and CamelCamelCamel are invaluable for tracking the price history of items on Amazon and other online retailers. 

Just plug in the product link and see its price for any given point during the year to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible on your chosen gifts.

Look to experiences 

Travel, concerts, and shows don’t typically price by seasonality. In fact, waiting to buy concert tickets until peak time in December just means those center stage seats probably won’t be there anymore. And get this: you might even get a way better deal by combining travel and a concert. 

A lot of savvy shoppers recently discovered that Taylor Swift tickets were so much cheaper in Europe than America that they could buy a flight to somewhere like Amsterdam AND see her there for less than the ticket price in their hometown.

Taylor aside, experiences can come in all kinds of forms, like a unique gift box subscription. It’s a thoughtful set-it-and-forget-it idea that bypasses the typical ins and outs of the retail game, while still showing them you know just who they are.

Check the return, exchange, and price guarantee policies

Now is when you show up with the receipts — literally.  As you’re making your purchase decisions, jot down your options for returning or exchanging your gift should you find a lower price elsewhere down the road. Or even better, get a refund for the price difference if the retailer has a price guarantee. 

Take note of the model number and details in case they make a fuss. And be sure to include the timeframe allowed, so you know when you’ll be locked in. Then, use one of those handy price trackers to keep an eye on the item or set up a Google Alert to be notified if and when there’s a better deal. 

With a little planning and ingenuity, there’s no reason NOT to shop now

Combine the tools above with some standard budgeting, planning, and saving methods like making a list ahead of time, creating savings goals, and regularly contributing to those goals. Then brush yourself up on other new ways of thinking, like what Gen Z is doing with their money that you might not even know about.

You’re setting yourself up to not only be done with your holiday shopping by September, but done without straining your budget, overspending, or getting stuck paying for it later on with hefty credit card bills. It’s a gift you’re giving to yourself:  serenity.