Now that the kids are back in school, you may find yourself with a little more time on your hands. Don’t worry about how you’re going to fill that time, though. You’ll need some of it to take advantage of the plethora of summer bargains to be had. Grab your shopping list and see if any of these items will fit into your purchasing plans.

Summer clothes – Retailers who still have summer clothes on their sales floor are downright desperate right now to be rid of them. Peruse the clearance racks for items that you might need. You may wish to buy shorts and t-shirts in sizes slightly larger than the sizes your kids wear now to wear next summer.

Pool or water accessories – Swimming accessories like life jackets or floating rafts can be picked up for almost nothing at summer clearance sales. Likewise, pool chemicals, like chlorine, are much cheaper this time of year, too. If you have a pool, you may want to stock up on the necessary chemicals now and store them until you re-open your pool next spring.

Linens – I’m not sure why, but I’ve been seeing linen sales all over the place these last few weeks. Extra sheets, new bath linens, and luxurious curtains are nice additions to any household. Having a few spare linens can take some of the stress out of laundry day; the extra time is well worth the small expense.

Outside dining supplies – Durable tableware, like plastic cups or melamine plates, must be quickly vanquished from your local discount store’s shelves this time of year. Stash a new set of dishes away for your first barbecue next summer. You’ll love being able to break out a new look for your patio for pennies on the dollar.

Grilling equipment – Whether you need a whole new grill or just a new grill brush, now is the time to buy it. Great prices will allow you to find what you need at a bargain price, and there is still enough good weather left to enjoy it before winter.

It’s been a difficult week here in the Not Made of Money household. All four children have been sick. Thankfully everyone looks to be on the mend now, but what a week it was! Our Target pharmacist knows us all by name now. On to the reading for the week.

I want to give a big welcome to Frugal Zeitgeist to the Frugal Blog Network. This past week she shared her gym shopping experience with a pretty comprehensive look at what questions to ask and how to get the best possible cost. Almost Frugal takes a look at frugal gift giving. Frugal Babe shares the cheapest health food. Tight Fisted Miser lists five free frugal resources.

We participated in the Carnival of Personal Finance hosted at Broke Grad Student. My favorites from this week are:

My Two Dollars shares How To Save Money On Prescriptions.

Shtinkykat’s PF Blog tells The Silly Savings Game I Play.

Prime Time Money discusses automated tithing.

We also participated in this week’s Festival of Frugality hosted at Fire Finance. Here are my top picks from this week:

No Debt Plan asks “Is Your Lawn Sucking You Dry? 6 Ideas to Save Money and Water.”

Money Crashers warn you to Watch Out For Sneaky Overdraft and Bank Fees.

I wrote yesterday about five home improvements you can do yourself. However, there are certain home repair projects we won’t tackle because of our lack of experience:

Complicated appliance repairs – Some parts of appliances are easy to repair. Replacing a broken drawer or a blown light bulb can and should be handled by the homeowner. However, if your refrigerator no longer cools or you smell gas when you use your range, it’s time to call your trusted repair technician.

HVAC repairs – HVAC units are often complex pieces of equipment. Between the hi-tech thermostats that trigger your heating and cooling system and the gas or electrical elements that heat the air in your system, there are many intricate parts that work together to make your room comfortable. Unless you know exactly what you’re doing, you should probably leave repairs to your HVAC unit to a professional.

Roof leaks – Poorly repaired roof leaks can quietly do damage to the structure of your home. If the leak continues, water can collect and stain or rot ceilings or joists in your home. In addition, inexperienced homeowners may not know how to safely walk around a roof and could end up with a nasty injury.

Electrical repairs – Certainly, some electrical work can be handled by the homeowner. Replacing a broken electrical outlet and updating light fixture are simple projects that can be taken care of quickly. However, if you suspect that there is a short in your home’s circuitry or need to upgrade the service to your home, you should call a certified electrician. Electrical problems can easily lead to a home fire that will be much more costly than the repair.

Foundation cracks – A few surface cracks on your home’s foundation are probably nothing to worry about. Wider and deeper cracks are a much bigger problem, however. If you are worried that your home’s foundation is in trouble, you should seek the help of a foundation expert. He will be able to tell you if your concerns are founded and the best way to solve the problem.