Raising teenagers can be very expensive. There are a lot of added expenses as your children grow up. Clothes are more expensive, there are added fees for extra-curricular activities, not to mention the social events that are a "must" for many teens. As frugal parents of teens, we need to learn to save money in different areas that will compensate for the extra money we will need to spend during the teenage years.

One of the easiest ways to save money on many everyday items is by shopping seasonal sales. You can save hundreds of dollars every year by planning your spending to take advantage of the rhythmic pattern of buying and selling. It is just as important to know when to buy as it is to know how and where. I suggest you get your teens involved in your seasonal shopping. Learning this skill will help them learn to live frugally as they move into adulthood.

While local marketing conditions and each store's unique situation are reliable indicators of the frequency, time, and type of sales, and the amount of price reductions, the following sale calendar to help you get the most for your dollar when making purchases.

January

After-Christmas sales of Christmas merchandise, winter clothes, clothing, shoes, fur, handbags, toiletries, tablecloths, costume jewelry, furniture, toys, dishes, sports equipment, appliances. This is also the month that most stores feature a "White Sale", which includes most bedding such as sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and quilts.

February

Furniture, rugs, mattresses, curtains, bedding, china, glassware, silverware, housewares, radios and C.D. players, stereo equipment, and used cars.

March

Garden supplies, luggage, spring clothing, infants' wear, shoes, laundry appliances. luggage, skates, ski equipment, storm windows.

April

After-Easter sales for mostly clothes items including men's and boys' suits, women's and children's coats, housecoats, and women's hats.

May

White sales, clean-up/fix-up supplies, blankets, women's undergarments, TV sets, handbags, sportswear, tires.

June

Women's ready-to-wear, TV sets, refrigerators, fabrics, summer clothes, dresses, building materials, lumber.

July

Shoes, summer clothes, bathing suits, lingerie, sportswear, home appliances, air conditioners, fuel oil, radios and stereo equipment, rugs and carpet, summer sports equipment, used cars.

August

Furniture, white sales, camping equipment, housewares, lamps, coats, tires, lawn mowers, sprinklers, yard tools, barbecue sets and tools, air conditioners new cars, paints, school supplies, school clothes, bathing suits, fans.

September

Back-to-school supplies, housewares, bicycles, car batteries and mufflers, children's clothing, dishes, gardening equipment, glassware, hardware, lamps, paints, rugs and carpet, tools.

October

Fishing equipment, glassware, hosiery, housecoats, school clothes, school supplies, silverware, cars.

November

Coats, pre-Christmas items, quilts, shoes, boots, men's and boys' suits, kitchen appliances, water heaters.

December

Toys, gift items, coats, shoes, party items, quilts, used cars. The day after Christmas is Bargain Day all over.

Patti Chadwick is a freelance writer and creator of Parents & Teens an online magazine and FREE biweekly ezine providing useful resources to help parents connect with their teens. You can subscribe to Parents & Teens twice monthly weekly ezine by going to www.parentsandteens.com. You can contact Patti at: Patti@historyswomen.com