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30 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • September 2021 WRITTEN BY NIKKI DUCAS family money While sitting poolside, thinking of ideas for my next column, my thrifty budget-conscious friend curiously asked if I had a list of hidden-gem deals that could help her save Christmas for her big family and ulti- mately save her from going into 2022 in debt. Two products she said she always shops for at Christmas are Lindt chocolates and Hallmark orna- ments, and she wished they had deals now (I'm writing this in July!). While Lindt doesn't have a Christmas in July sale, it offers bulk buying options and free shipping on $75 purchases or more. As for Hallmark, you'll need to act quickly if you'd like to join their Keepsake Ornament Club. On November 2, 2021, you can join for 2022 and members receive exclusive ornaments and special savings. This conversation led me to think of the summer of 2004 when my husband bought a grill in early September for a house that we didn't move into until October because the sale was too good to pass up. Sure enough, September is the best month to buy outdoor furniture and grills. Labor Day marks the end of the summer grilling season and outdoor entertaining, so retailers stop stocking these items during the winter. Now Let's Find Those It feels like my family is always upgrading or replacing a smartphone. Apple has announced its new iPhones at the company's annual key- note in September and consequently drop prices on current phones. Meanwhile, Black Friday and early December are a good time to buy electronics like tablets, laptops, gaming systems, activity trackers and other smartphones. My tween is jonesing for a smartphone but also has a dozen other things on his wish list, so I had to find out what all the buzz was around Walmart's Deals for Days price drops on Christmas gift ideas. You may also want to seek clearance items throughout the month of a holiday, but for the most markdowns and widest section shop the first five days of the month. You could save even more by asking a manager for additional markdowns off clearance items they want to move. I've been using the Krazy Coupon Lady app for a while to find deals, but recently I found BrickSeek. BrickSeek is the Internet's price check- er. It helps you find online and in-store deals at CVS, Home Depot, Lowes, Macy's, Office Depot, Staples, Target and Walmart. BrickSeek helps you find deals on items you want to buy and shows you where you can find them. No one likes to spend more than they have to, especially at Christmas. If you are like me, I can't stand leaving money in my cart. So, with a little sleuthing and a bit of patience, you too can find the best deals, offers and discounts on the stuff topping your family's wish lists. DEALS Christmas is Coming.