U.S. dollar falling to �76.68 from �76.84 roughly 24 hours earlier, exporters saw selling despite modest Wall Street gains overnight. Sony Corp. lost 0.9%, Panasonic Corp. fell 1.5%, and chip maker Elpida Memory Inc. gave up 3%. Trading houses rose, however, with benchmark Nymex crude futures jumping 1.9% Tuesday in New York and gold futures recovering the $1,800-an-ounce level. Mitsui & Co. rose 1.3%, Mient store, chain store or big-box retailer without at least checking the Internet ahead of time for coupons, Mendelsohn says. Just hit a search engine, type in the name of the store you want to visit and the words "coupon code," she says. Patio Furniture and Accessories September "is a huge month for any outdoor furniture," Mendelsohn says. "Anything that is summer stock is getting cleared out." And this year, it can be a double boon to consumers on Labor Day and beyond. "The fall, for a big part of the country, is a big time of the year to do entertaining," says P. Allen Smith, author of "Living in the Garden Home." "With the extreme heat, a lot of folks lost out on their summer." So when patio furniture and related items go on sale for up to 50% off in September, it offers a chance "to reclaim your summer," Smith says. Shoppers can get deals on those same goods online, Mendelsohn says. Many online retailers offer free shipping, which amounts to free furniture delivery, she says. Two good areas for bargains and sales: Cushions up to 60% off. Patterned accessories, which tend to be on sale more than the basic colors, Mendelsohn says. "Patterns are a great way to shop for bargains." Other patio items that promise bargains during and after Labor Day: ceiling fans, grills and grilling equipment, Smith says. Shrubs, Trees and Canning Supplies September "is a great time to be going into your nurseries and looking for good prices on shrubs and trees," Smith says. "I've seen sales as deep as 50%." September sales on plants especially make sense this year because a lot of homeowners lost vegetation to the summer heat. Another garden-related item where you'll find good buys on Labor Day and beyond is canning supplies. While a lot of home gardeners have wrapped it up for the year, farmers markets "are going to be full of fresh vegetables well into November," Smith says. But many retailers won't keep pressure cookers, jars and other supplies on the shelves past August, says Smith. As a result, you could save as much as 50% on those supplies in September. Your Winter Vacation Picture yourself hitting the ski slopes and relaxing afterward with a gourmet dinner. That mental vacation could be more than a stress break. In September, it could actually save you some money. If you book for the winter holidays through mid-January, "you will get a significant discount right now," in September, Mendelsohn says. "Resorts would rather lock you in at a lower price and know who's coming." By booking in September, you can get discounts of 5% to 20% off the cost of those winter trips. Golf Gear September is a sweet spot when it comes to deals on golf equipment. Manufacturers bring out new models, and retailers clear space to attract traffic. The result is sales on this year's clubs, including some "fantastic drivers," which were on Golf Digest's hot list, says Bob Carney, brand editor for the magazine. Whenever you buy gear from the year before, "yo