Ahh, summer. Time to buy a new barbecue. Again. And new patio furniture. And new bathing suits (what was I thinking?), sunglasses (what do you want for $3.99?), sunscreen (how old is that tube, anyway?), and all the rest of the stuff that you haul out of storage around this time of year. Every summer it feels like I'm starting all over again. But this time, I swear, I'm going to get it right!

Through the years, summer has always challenged my normally pretty sharp shopping skills. There was the grill I got on clearance that had hundreds of tiny parts and took my husband most of the season to set up. (Three teensy but apparently critical gizmos were missing, so he had to stop and wait for the UPS truck at several points along the DIY way. Major summer bummer!) Sadly, after all that trouble, the grill didn't last very long. In the end, it burped flames out the back and nearly set my house on fire.

Then there was the "teak-look" patio furniture. That first year it was a glorious sight with its bright red-, orange-, and yellow-striped umbrella. I couldn't wait to have my friends over for a barbecue. Then the wasps came. The fake teak seemed to attract stinging insects from all over the state--and they appeared to be just as outraged as we were about having to share the table. Slime was another issue. Each year, that table grew a funky coat of mildew that I'd have to sand off or bleach out--not a fun weekend project--before anyone in her right mind would want to eat on it.

This summer I'm buying the good stuff, and I'm buying it now! (Another lesson I've learned is not to attempt buying summer gear during the actual months of summer. When it comes to bathing suits, for example, if you wait until July or August to replace last year's mistakes, you'll be hard-pressed to find anything remotely flattering, as you've probably also learned.) If you're ready to shop smart this summer, we're here to help you find the best deals online, pick the right gifts for mom, dad, and more and even order the right wine in any restaurant. So this year, you can truly relax and enjoy those precious few months in the sun.

Lisa Lee Freeman
Editor-in-Chief

P.S. Would love to hear what you think. Click here to send me an e-mail.

Click any of the links below for a selection of articles from the Spring 2007 issue of ShopSmart;) Five ways to shop smarter Online and off, these tips will help you get the best deals Great sites for gift givers Fun and funky presents to buy online for grads, dads, brides, and anyone else on your list How to order wine Order the right wine at any restaurant (even if you have no idea what you're doing) Online shopping The best shopping sites you’ve (probably) never heard of Vitamins Which multivitamins should you take, if any?