Best buys in June
June ushers in summertime and a range of outdoor products and activities go on sale, says Jeanette Pavini of Coupons.com. If you're looking for some summertime steals, buy these deals in June.
Fishing: National Fishing and Boating week is the first week of June and many states celebrate by letting anglers fish without a license at least for a few days. That can save you anywhere from $5 to $20 per person, depending on where you fish. TakeMeFishing.org has a nice listing of when the free fishing days are in each state - which is usually, but not always, in June. You can check out their free fishing day listing here, or just Google "free fishing day" and your state to find out when your state will let you fish free-free.
National parks: More than 100 national parks waive their entrance fees on June 9th for National Get Outdoors Day. The free entrance is awesome for most consumers, but Pavini recommends that seniors spring for a lifetime pass because the pass is just $10 and it lands you significant discounts on boat launching, camping and other amenities at many national park locations. The best way to buy a senior pass is to visit a national park. If you buy by mail, the charge is $20 -- $10 for the pass and $10 for "processing." It's also worth noting that active duty military members and their families qualify for free annual passes, as do some volunteers. Otherwise annual National Park passes run $80. You can get the skinny on all the different costs and benefits of national park passes here.
Sunscreen: Good news. Since you're going to be spending a lot of time in the great outdoors, thanks to the free fishing and national park days, you're going to need to slather up your skin with a good sunscreen and sunscreen goes on sale in June too. Check for coupons before you go to the store.
Gym equipment: It's gorgeous outside, so you're probably not interested in buying gym equipment that will keep you indoors, right? That's exactly why this type of equipment goes on sale. Retailers of medine balls, hand weights, exercise steps and other gear are trying to drum up some business during an otherwise slow time, so you can find great deals on exercise equipment, particularly if you frequent stores that sell discontinued products and overstock.
Travel: Haven't yet booked a summer vacation? Now's the time. If you want to take a trip to Europe, you'll find the best airfares to Spain and Ireland by booking now, according to Coupons.com. Why there? This is a particularly popular time to take cruises out of popular destinations like Barcelona, so the airlines offer lower fares to keep flights full. Ireland, meanwhile, stays cheap because they have lower fuel surcharges than other countries, says Pavini. Last minute cruises can also be a steal at this time of year, for the same reasons as flights to Barcelona. The cruise company wants to keep their ships full, so you may be able to score a bargain by booking a last-minute cruise to Mexico or the Caribbean.
Dad: You remembered that Father's Day is June 17th, right? If not, retailers would like to remind you with lots of bargains on tools, men's wear and golf gear. Shop early and make sure to look for coupon codes that will give you bigger savings and, often, free shipping.
Party supplies: When graduation season ends, the makers of invitations and party decor find themselves with excess supply, which spells "clearance sale." Planning a sorie later in the year? June is the time to order the invitations and streamers.
Dairy: It's also National Dairy Month in June, which means there will be numerous store promotions and coupons for all dairy products, from milk to cheese to butter. Naturally, stocking up on milk doesn't make much sense since it will spoil within a few weeks. But butter and cheese can be kept in the freezer for several months. Stock up while it's on sale, Pavini suggests.
Fruit: A whole range of fruits and vegetables are in season starting in June, which means the prices drop. Look for bargains on tomatoes, zucchini, corn, berries and peaches. Not only are they cheaper when they're in-season, they taste better. Bon appetit!