Looking for the best time to buy different products and services can save you a lot of money. This is because one of the best ways to save money is to stop overspending or buying impulsively and plan for great deals, especially on large ticket items such as cars, appliances, TVs, computers, laptops, furniture, mattresses, bikes and even airfare. But why stop at big purchases when you can your luggage, video games, cell phones, and all the stuff you want to buy cheaper.
With so many different products and gifts up for sale during certain months of the year, it can be very tempting to constantly buy new gadgets, toys, and household needs. However, knowing where to find the best deals and discounts is only half the battle – knowing what time of the year retailers and companies are pushing out old stock to make room for new products, or having sales can help you find the best time to buy everything and anything.
This can be particularly rewarding when you can save 25% to 50% or more from retailers who are heavily discounting products and services due to seasonal changes or new product launches. Below, you’ll learn about the best months to buy the things you want!
Best Time of Year to Buy Everything
Determined to never pay full price again? Here is our list of the best time to buy everything by month!
January
Clothes – Christmas and the holidays mark the busiest shopping period of the year – full of sales, discounts, and deals – but have you ever been shopping after Christmas? The selection may not be plentiful, but the savings will be amazing.
Video Games – many new games are released in late fall to get ready for the holiday shopping season. These same video games go on sale once the holidays are over.
Furniture – most furniture companies release new products in February and August, meaning retailers need to clear out their showrooms from the previous season to make space for new arrivals. Therefore, furniture is heavily discounted or marked as clearance in January.
Suits – a lot of people don’t buy suits in January considering most proms and weddings aren’t scheduled until April, May and the summer. Because this is a slow time for suit sales, many retailers will share post-holiday deals to get shoppers in the door. You can find quality suits at reasonable prices.
Linens and Bedding – many retailers will feature the “white sale” on linens and bedding to make room for the new items that will hit shelves in Spring. Nonetheless, always be on the lookout for great deals year round.
Carpet and Flooring – families remodel and get their homes ready for the holiday season. Once January rolls around, prices on carpet and flooring prices are discounted and cheap.
February
TVs and Home Theater Systems – you won’t find all brands and models on sale; however, you will get great deals on older generation models before technology companies release their new electronics, gadgets and enhancements in the Spring. There may also be pre-Super Bowl sales you can take advantage of.
Cell Phones – many cell phone companies will have “buy one get one free” deals for couples.
Cameras – since many of the newer model digital cameras will have been displayed at the CES trade show, a lot of the older models from the previous year will be on sale.
Boats – February is not only the middle of the off-season for boats, but boat shows will be highlighting the current year’s new models and discounting last year’s.
Due to the short product cycle of televisions, cell phones and cameras, look for sales and discounts every 3 to 6 months with these products. Just remember not to spend too much or you may have buyer’s remorse when the next generation brings huge technological changes and you feel left behind.
March
Luggage – with the Winter travel season over and Summer-time vacations yet to come, luggage goes on sale during March. Check out any low-priced, high-quality bags. If you are a frequent flyer, it may be worth investing a few dollars into a great, long-lasting brand.
Chocolate – once the Valentine’s Day chocolate craze ends, prices drop. This is the perfect time to stock up on some delicious sweets and surprise your wife or girlfriend “Just Because”. But don’t skimp out on plans for the 14th and take up this strategy at the expense of pissing off your significant other. Trust us, their happiness and yours is definitely worth spending a few extra dollars.
Golf Clubs – new golf clubs are released in the summer, so stores discount the majority of their golf clubs beforehand to make room for the new inventory.
Frozen Foods – March is known as “National Frozen Food Month”. If you love having an easy and quick meal handy, it’s the perfect time to stock up on your favorite frozen foods.
Furnace and A/C – Spring usually calls for calm weather and results in a slow-down for heating and cooling companies. March would be the best time to get your furnace and air-conditioner checked or replaced without heavy demand resulting in outrageous rates.
April
Cruises – if you plan to go on a cruise during the summer, April would be the best time to purchase your tickets. Booking your cruise months in advance or at the very last minute will get you the lowest prices.
Shoes – Spring shoe sales are very common, especially for workout and running shoes.
Laptops – with the exception of Back-To-School deals, you can find the cheapest laptops in April.
Vacuum Cleaners – new models of vacuum cleaners come out in June and July, so you can find great deals from discount retailers starting in April.
Skis – when the snow begins to melt and resorts close, you can find huge savings on a pair of skis.
May
Office Furniture – most home-businesses start the day after Tax Day – that dreaded deadline to file your taxes. For this reason, retailers and supply stores discount office furniture, such as desks and chairs, as well as common office supplies.
Refrigerators – unlike other large appliances that are on sale later in the year and during the holidays, new model refrigerators come out in May. For this reason, retailers and hardware stores will discount all of last year’s models to make room for new inventory. Check out our post on the Best Time of Year To Buy Large Appliances.
Mattresses – though mattresses don’t have a set time during the year in which new ones are released, Spring and Memorial Day clearances bring heavy discounts.
Patio Furniture – while the warmer summer weather approaches, companies release new patio furniture designs. Forced to make room to showcase their new products or open warehouse space, stores discount the older floor models. (Hint: you can ask for more of a discount if a set is the last floor sample in the store.)
June
Gym Membership – as people forget about their New Year’s resolutions, gyms are somewhat desperate for new members. It’s easy to find a great deal that works around your schedule.
Dishware – with wedding season in full bloom and newlyweds out registering for home items, stores have steep discounts on these everyday items that everyone can take advantage of.
Tools and Barbecue Supplies – as Father’s Day nears, tool sets and barbecues go on sale. Shop for a great gift without overpaying before the holiday.
Textbooks – some students are cash-strapped, so if you know which textbooks you will need for the upcoming semester, buy them online right after school is over and supply is highest. Sellers will be competing to get rid of their textbooks and many will undercut each other’s prices.
July
Computers and Laptops – even if you aren’t a student, take advantage of Back-To-School sales when comparing prices and purchasing a computer or laptop.
Home Décor – as wedding season continues, retailers continue to discount home decor goods, from picture frames to wine glasses, along with the aforementioned dishware.
Furniture – if you weren’t able to snatch a good deal on the furniture of your choice in January, now would also be a good time to go furniture shopping. July marks the second round of clearance sales to make room for new arrivals released in August.
Kayaks – sporting goods stores discount their stock in July to avoid maintaining inventory during the winter months.
Grills, Ovens, Stoves and Ranges – the 4th of July brings about great sales on big ticket items, including kitchen appliances and grills.
August
Summer Clothing – with summer ending and the colder months approaching, most stores start discounting all of their summer styles, including swimwear, flip-flops and kids’ clothes for school.
Linens, Containers and Storage – with students heading to college, stores discount new dorm supplies, bed sheets, comforters, storage boxes, plastic containers, and organizers.
School Supplies – Back-To-School sales mean a lot of great discounts and deals on school and office supplies. If you aren’t in a rush to buy supplies, wait till the following month for even better savings.
Playground Sets and Equipment – how many kids play on their swing sets in the winter? The best deals on playground equipment come at the end of summer, and will be ready for your child’s use next Spring and Summer.
Grills – deals on grills continue to get better after July as stores try to get rid of the last few units in their stores and warehouses.
September
Large Appliances – excluding refrigerators (see May), September and October mark the best time to buy big appliances. New models come out during these months, and last year’s models are up for sale.
Bikes – new models of bicycles tend to come out around September, at the end of the cycling season. Stores will have sales on the previous season’s models.
Cars – buying or leasing a car shouldn’t be an impulse purchase. If you expect to need a new car soon, start planning and researching ahead of time. Car makers release their new models at the end of summer, so dealerships and lots will be clearing out old inventory during this time, making it even easier to negotiate on prices and features as well. And if you have the patience, buy towards the end of the month when sales reps may be behind quota and are more willing to haggle to make a sale.
Lawnmowers – to make room for their winter gear, stores discount most “summer” tools and hardware.
Wine – harvest season means wine producers are busy working to release their best products, and your favorite bottle of wine will be cheaper.
School Supplies – stores discount their supplies even more in September to get rid of leftovers.
October
Digital Cameras – with the announcement of newer digital camera models, older ones go on sale. It would be a great time to buy one for yourself or even as a Christmas gift.
Cars – car dealerships and lots continue their promotions and deals to get rid of excess inventory.
Appliances – whatever inventory is still left at the end of September will surely be more heavily discounted in October. These few months continue to be the best time of year to buy large appliances, but selection may start to become limited.
Air-Conditioners – who buys an air-conditioner in the winter? Answer: consumers looking for great discounts on older models in the off-season.
Patio Furniture – as the colder weather begins to kick in, depending on where you live, most people won’t be spending much time outside anymore. Be sure to look for the best prices on outdoor furniture and gear.
Jeans – jeans are common leftovers of the Back-To-School period, so go out and find a great pair before the holiday shopping season.
November
Appliances – if the October deals for appliances seemed too good to be true, the Fall sale season allows for the lowest possible prices, though inventory and selection will be incredibly low.
Candy – most stores are left with a bunch of Halloween candy they need to get rid of. Give into your sweet tooth and stock up on your favorite treats.
TVs and Electronics – the famous Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales are when most people buy electronics at discounted prices. Make sure the deal is truly worth it before you splurge; some items will be heavily discounted before or after these heavy shopping days as well.
Toys and Games – want to get your Christmas shopping done early this year? Retailers want you to spend your money with them sooner than later, so toys and games for the children will be on sale.
Wedding Dresses – it seems the Winter and holiday seasons are the perfect time for proposals and engagement parties, so check out bridal shops around Thanksgiving to beat the rush and competition.
December
Champagne – with employers getting ready for office parties and families prepping for get-togethers, Champagne producers are in fierce competition with one another and will drop their prices. Stock up on your favorite champagne for your upcoming holiday events.
Swimming Pools – most people will be too busy buying gifts and getting ready for the holidays to even think about the following year; so if purchasing and installing a swimming pool has been on your mind, now would be the best time as prices are the lowest due to weak demand.
Grills – cold weather means a lot less grilling, so shop around and you’ll find a great deal on your next grill.
TVs – as we mentioned before, the sales will continue long after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, usually up until a week before the Super Bowl.
Golf Clubs – off-season for golf means most equipment is on sale. Take advantage of cheap prices to invest in your favorite hobby.
Air Conditioners – if you’ve thought about investing in a new A/C unit, the cold temperatures mean low demand in cooling units, allowing you to get a great deal.
Tickets Overseas – light/low travel season means low prices and awesome deals for your next vacation, especially overseas.
