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The best and worst things to buy in August

By WTOP Staff

WASHINGTON — August may signify that summer is winding down, but many summer-themed deals are heating up.

DealNews lists some of the best and worst things to buy in August and summer items top the list of things to purchase:

  • Summer apparel. Clothing for summer goes on clearance as retailers work to make room for autumn apparel. Some stores will take 40 percent to 70 percent off on the summer apparel items.
  • Patio furniture. Typically, outdoor furniture sales see an uptick in August and September, but this year, many stores are offering above-average sales. Stores such as Home Depot, Sears, Walmart and Target have discounts of up to 75 percent off.
  • Grills. August is the time for sizzling sales on grills. It’s the best time of the year for discounts on grills and accessories. Sears, Lowe’s, Target and Walmart offer discounts of up to 50 percent off. Also, search for coupons that can take off an extra 10 percent to 15 percent off.
  • Back-to-school items. As the beginning of school creeps up, August marks the best time to snag deals as more stores cut prices. Stores, such as American Eagle and Levi’s, took 40 to 50 percent off in August 2013. DealNews says there could be a similar trend this year.

    Also, Walmart has good dorm room deals. Last year, the retailer had futons at $89, desks at $29 and backpacks at $10.

  • Laptops. With back-to-school sales, come deals on laptops, too. The 15-inch systems with Intel’s current processor have rock bottom prices around $380. Also, when it comes to Apple products, retailers such as Best Buy can be a great place to get good deals. In late July, Best Buy beat Apple’s back-to-school deals by $200.
  • LCD HDTVs. Cool off indoors during August’s heat with a reasonably-priced 42-inch LCD HDTV. Brand-name, 42-inch LCD HDTVs hit their lowest price of the year coming in at $299, roughly $40 less than 2014’s average for the size category.

There are some things to avoid buying in August, too, DealNews notes.

  • Apple devices. In the past, Apple releases new models in September and October. There are much better discounts once the current devices are bumped to previous-generation status, so hold out for the next-best Apple gadget to come along.
  • Waterproof cases. The cases that can keep your cellphone and other electronics dry may not be worth the money — even during pool season. DealNews says it used a simple Ziploc bag on devices and found the same result for very little money.

DealNews points out that shoppers should be on the lookout for Labor Day sales in August. Since this year Labor Day is on Sept. 1, those offers will start kicking off in late August.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story didn’t reflect the correct pricing information on laptops.

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Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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