Save the Dates: What to Buy in August

Summer may not be over yet, but the start of the school year is just around the corner! While many of this month’s savings are targeted at students, parents and teachers, there are still great deals available for everyone. This is a fantastic time to find excellent prices on clothing, technology, office supplies and more.

Retailers are starting their seasonal transitions, moving summer items to the clearance racks and putting new fall releases front and center. With Labor Day falling on Monday, September 1, early sales will start to appear in the last week of August, providing discounts on clearance items as well as fall essentials.

We have used our internal discount data to determine the average discounts shoppers can expect in popular categories this August. From there, we’ve determined the Top 5 categories to shop this month, so you can cut through the clutter and save big where it matters. Wherever you shop, be sure to check out RetailMeNot’s cash back offers, which get you an additional cash back rebate on top of any discounts you find.

August is a big month for savings, so take note of the following sales:

• Tarte Cosmetics Friends & Family Sale: From July 31 to Aug. 7, get 30% off sitewide plus free shipping during Tarte’s Friends & Family Sale! Want to unlock 35% off? Sign up for tarte VIP to save even more!
• LEGO^® Fortnite^® Gift with Purchase: Receive a free gift with purchases of $130 or more at LEGO.com! LEGO Insiders get exclusive access starting on Aug. 1, while all shoppers can access the deal from Aug. 4-11.
• Saks OFF 5TH Summer Sale: Now through August 3, get an extra 30% off select styles during the Saks OFF 5TH Summer Sale. Upgrade your wardrobe and accessories with extra summer savings.
• The Home Depot Glacier Bay Bath Event: Get up to 40% off Glacier Bay bath styles at The Home Depot! Shop by Sept. 28 for discounts on vanities, faucets, storage and more.
• The Children’s Place Back-to-School Sale: Enjoy up to 60% off sitewide at The Children’s Place! Shop back-to-school styles and more while supplies last.
• Academy Sports + Outdoors RMN Exclusive Code: New year, new gear! Enjoy the best back-to-school savings at Academy Sports + Outdoors with up to 50% off and can’t miss price-match guarantees.
• Nike Extra 20% Off: Get an extra 20% off select items using code SPORT at checkout through Aug. 17.
• Princess Polly Mystery Sale: Like surprises? You’ll love this one! Enter the mystery code at Princess Polly by Aug. 10 to reveal your surprise discount.
• The Home Depot Super Savings: Find great deals on thousands of items during The Home Depot’s Super Savings event! Shop by Aug. 20 to save up to 40% on select furniture, kitchenware and home decor.
• Up to $300 Off Cricut Machines: Save money on crafting with this great Cricut offer! You can get up to $300 off Cricut machines using our code until Aug. 31.
• RMN Cash Back Boost Event: Our monthly Cash Back Boost Event is back! Get up to 20% cash back at your favorite stores and brands from Aug. 14-17.
• CVS Extra Big Deals Event: ExtraCare members get exclusive access to unbeatable discounts during this biweekly sales promotion.
• The Home Depot Labor Day Sale: Enjoy discounts of up to 30% on select items and an extra 10% with code.
• National Dog Day Deals: There are always more reasons to celebrate your dog. This month, we have National Dog Day! Don’t miss out on all the deals running Aug. 26 for your furry best friend.

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School is (almost) in session! Fortunately, you’ll find significant savings on office supplies this month, just when you need them the most. Stock up on pencils, pens, paper and more for the school year or for your office needs.

Here are some of our favorite retailers for scoring office supply deals and promos:

• CVS
• Office Depot® OfficeMax® 
• Staples
• The Container Store

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College students often need new tech at this time of year, and retailers are providing discounts to make it more affordable! Even if you’re not a student, this is a great opportunity to grab a deal for yourself. For example, check out Apple’s 2025 back-to-school offer, which gives you the choice of AirPods or an eligible accessory when you purchase a Mac or iPad with education savings.

Shop these brands for great deals on computers & electronics:

• Amazon
• Samsung
• Best Buy
• Lenovo

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As the new school year approaches, many retailers are promoting end-of-summer sales in August. They aim to clear out summer merchandise to make space for fall fashions. Now is a great time to grab the warm-weather clothing your closet needs! Be on the lookout for significant discounts during the early Labor Day sales, which will lower the prices on denim and other popular styles.

Get trendy styles for yourself and the whole family from these clothing brands:

• Macy’s
• Karen Millen
• Carter’s
• Princess Polly

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With back-to-school discounts and end-of-summer sales, you’ll find many sneakers and summer shoes, like sandals, marked down this month. Don’t hesitate; take advantage of these great prices while they last!

Here are brands we turn to for affordable footwear:

• adidas
• Crocs
• New Balance
• Journey’s

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During the summer, many people rush to buy essentials for outdoor activities. As the season comes to a close, demand decreases, allowing you to find the same equipment at better prices! You’re sure to discover picks that the entire family can enjoy throughout the year, especially next summer.

Check out sporting goods deals from these retailers we love:

• Academy Sports + Outdoors
• Cabela’s
• Bass Pro Shops
• Nike

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See if your state has a tax-free shopping weekend: More than a dozen states will hold their tax-free shopping weekends in August, and if yours is on this list, you’ll enjoy waived sales tax on eligible purchases. Eligible items tend to be those of the back-to-school variety, but that doesn’t mean they’re just for students; some states include electronics, clothing, backpacks and shoes in their tax-free weekends. That gives you plenty of options for stocking up on essentials.

Consider last-minute back-to-school deals: If you are comfortable with taking a risk, wait until right before school is back in session to snap up any remaining notebooks, lunchboxes, dorm essentials and other common items on students’ shopping lists. At this point, retailers will be eager to offload them. You may not want to use this tactic for items you actually need, as the shelves will be largely picked over by this point. But it can be a smart way to get essentials you know you (or your kids) will use next year at much lower prices.