'essentials' are rarely put on deep discount sales. manufacturers and retailers know you're gonna buy regardless. even the discount retailers like walmart and target don't put a lot of 'essentials' on black friday deals anymore. used to get a pair of jeans, some socks, shorts and tees, a new hoodie, and a few other things every year, to replace what's worn out or been eaten by the dryer monster, and they were always cheap af--always some kind or another of those were on sale. but i haven't been able to the last 5-6 years.
Look for stores similar to TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, Citi Trends (look over, this is irregulars often), etc. They’re my go-to for things like that, assuming they’re in your area.
i'm in a small town, away from everything. any money saved by driving to a large city to shop is spent on fuel to make the drive there and back. even the nearest 'outlet mall' is a joke, because it's in a tourist trap town--and it, itself, is one, too.
I’m in similar circumstances. Except for bread, milk, fresh produce wrt groceries, I try to save up enough to buy at discount/big box, it’s usually worth the cost of driving. Probably anything I’d need to pick up, I’d try to do it on other errands. It’s not a great situation always, but I’m currently paying for rides or catching them by luck. What about online? I really dk but if you’re interested in talking more, maybe we can brainstorm something suitable.