End-of-season sales always offer discounts on items associated with the season that's about to end, as retailers make room for the new season's items. To take advantage of these sales, you have to plan ahead. If you can prepare and plan your shopping with these seasonal trends, you can save a bundle.

General Guidelines on Bargain Shopping

Spring and summer merchandise usually goes into clearance in June and July. Fall and winter merchandise usually goes on sale in January. With a little advance planning, you can save significant amounts of money and avoid charging up your credit card by planning your purchases around these guidelines. As we're approaching the end of June, this means that many summer items will slowly begin making their way to the clearance shelves.

Bargain Shopping Rule of Thumb

Remember this rule of thumb: when demand is high, prices are high; when demand is low, prices are low. In late fall and winter, buy lawnmowers, gas grills, and other outdoor summer equipment. In summer, buy items you'll need in the winter. Sure, you may not have the latest and greatest, but you also won't be paying a premium for those items either.

Online Bargain Shopping Strategies

If you shop online you can often get great bargains at any time of year at sites that specialize in end lots and overstocked items, like Overstock.com. These sites often have not only seasonal clearance items, but many just regular items that stores happen to over stock, so check back frequently to see what deals are out there.