The scorching summer heat doesn’t have to melt away your bank account, too. There are certain products and services that can be scooped up at hot discounts during the summer months, if you know how to buy smart. 

Gym Memberships: If you haven’t quite gotten around to fulfilling your New Year’s resolution of shedding those extra pounds, now is the time.  Health club business tends to drop in the spring and summer before picking up again in the fall. During this lull, when you’re trying to fit back into that bathing suit, you can score a lower monthly rate or get your enrollment fee waived. For example, Bally Total Fitness is offering no enrollment fee as well as a $12.99 biweekly fee for basic national access to nearly 300 of their Bally Clubs if you join online. 

Fruits & Veggies: After your visit to the gym, you’re going to want to keep in shape by eating right. Fruits and vegetables are the “it” food group in the summer months, making it a great time to stock up. If you’re looking for an easy way to find out if your favorites are in season, visit fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org, a great guide to produce. Many grocery stores have their savings for the week listed on their websites, making shopping a breeze with the ability to plan ahead and save.

Online Savings: It is no surprise that the expense of family summer vacations can add up. Lucky for you, the online coupon industry has been booming with websites like livingsocial.com and groupon.com providing savings of more than 50 percent on meals, drinks, hotels as well as other services. Groupon has just launched the Getaways branch of their site — teaming up with Expedia, they are providing values on unforgettable trips with discounts of up to 60 percent. 

Flexible Fliers: This summer, flying midweek can make a big difference in fares over flying on the weekend. Valid for travel long after the summer is over, AirTran’s sale offers the cheapest seats on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through Nov. 16.  As an added bonus, remember that Southwest allows your first two bags to fly for free, which can be a great money saver as other airlines can charge up to $120 round-trip. 

Broadway Tickets: If you’re headed to the Big Apple and need a little drama in your life, the summer months prove to be a good time to see the outgoing year’s hits at great prices. Theatres offer cut-rate prices in order to have a full house, especially during the slower months throughout the summer. Broadway.com offers hotel packages offering for you to see a show and stay the night at the best NYC hotels, in all price ranges. 

Home Makeover: Make room for a home makeover this summer, because according to the American Home Furnishing Alliance, new furniture hits showrooms in August. That means you can find great savings in the summer months to spruce up your home decor as retailers make room for new inventory. The same goes for outdoor patio furniture, which is best purchased in August as the summer months wrap up. Retailers usually start marking down pieces around the July 4 holiday, but don’t be fooled — the big discounts of up to 50 percent off usually roll in during August.

Summer Gear: The end of the summer is the best time to find deals on fun outdoor merchandise. Swimming gear, swing sets, beach toys and other items can be found at discounted prices of 30 to 75 percent off. The back-to-school shopping season is also a great time to buy swimwear, as retailers are getting ready for their fall and winter items to arrive. If you want to experience retail therapy online, check out retailmenot.com before you make your purchase — it’s an online database for coupon codes that can bring in great savings like free shipping. 

School and Office Supplies: Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to be a drag, especially when it can still benefit your wallet. During this time, retailers offer some of the year’s lowest prices on pens, pencils, paper and notebooks, the essentials for any student. Many states also have sales-tax holidays in August, which will save you even more money on school and office supplies. You can also find bargains on other home-office necessities by picking up the weekly ads distributed by Office Depot and Staples. 

Information from Kiplinger.com and dallasnews.com.