SUN lovers thinking ahead to their summer holiday might want to snap up a suitcase before the end of the month – but hold off on the sun cream.

Shoppers know a key money-saving tip is that the price of products tends to vary through the year, and this is often driven by supply and demand.

Buying you summer holiday essentials in certain months could save you cash

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Buying you summer holiday essentials in certain months could save you cash

It’s why you probably shouldn’t go shopping for a fake Christmas tree in December, and why you find the cheapest Valentine’s Day deals AFTER the big day.

Stores often eke up the prices of items that are “in season”, and put them on sale to shift stock when they’re not.

But you might not realise this applies to many of your holiday staples too.

Research by comparison site Idealo reveals the best time to stock up on everything from your sunglasses to your swimmers.

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And buying at the right time of year could save you hundreds of pounds.

Holidaymakers in need of a new suitcase should move quickly – Idealo says the cheapest time of year to buy one is March.

The average cost of a new suitcase or travel bag is £112.78 in March, but ramps up to £124.12 in September, so you could save 9% by buying now.

And sun care products are at their priciest in August, according to Idealo – you’ll save around 4% if you buy a month earlier in July.

Of course, you shouldn’t let yourself be rushed into a purchase because you’re afraid you’ll miss out.

It’s always worth shopping around for the best deal and keeping an eye out for cashback or voucher code deals that could get you money off.

March is also the cheapest month to buy new sandals, although a forecast cold snap means you may not want to ditch your socks and wear them just yet.

They’re on average 8% cheaper at £54.32 in March than in May, when they’ll set you back £59.

Katy Phillips, brand manager at idealo, said: “Holidays have been up in the air over recent years, but it looks like this summer could see things return to normal.

“Prepping early and price comparing can save hundreds of pounds in unnecessary spending.”

If you’re an outdoorsy type in need of a new tent, then April is the best month for your purchase. It’s 4% cheaper to buy one than in June, the most expensive month.

Adventure-seekers could be in line for a major discount if they buy an action camera in May – at £184.66, they’re a whopping 24% cheaper this month than they are in September, when they average £243.99.

And if it’s a relaxing break you’re looking for, buy your beach towel in May – at £17.55, it’ll be 21% cheaper than if you wait until September.

It’s not just holiday items that are cheaper at certain times of year. We’ve previously looked at the best time to shop for Christmas gifts.

We found that shoppers get a better deal on smartphones and games consoles in September, with savings of up to £56.

And if it’s a new bike you’re after, you could save £110 by buying October.

How to find the best prices

Shopping comparison sites like Idealo, PriceRunner and PriceSpy can help you see the price tag on items at various places.

You can use tools to track the price history of an item too, which helps work out if it’s gone up or down.

CamelCamelCamel tracks the price history of items sold on Amazon. You find the item you want on Amazon’s website, then take the URL and put it into the CamelCamelCamel website.

It will reveal the historical price of the item, so you can check whether you’re getting a good deal or not.

And a browser extension called Alertr can help you track deals at hundreds of retailers such as Boots and John Lewis.

It can also send you an email alert if an item you’re tracking falls in price.

Don’t forget about cashback sites like Quidco and Topcashback too – these get you money back on purchases you make, as long as you click through their website.

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Elsewhere, we look at how to save money at the supermarket – and one expert says he never pays full price.

Plus, we’ve got tips on how to make extra cash or bag a bargain at a car boot sale.

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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk

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