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We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence. Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.
The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within the listing categories. But this compensation does not influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site. We do not include the universe of companies or financial offers that may be available to you.
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Timing is everything when it comes to shopping for the best deals, whether you shop online or go to brick-and-mortar stores. Knowing when to buy is a big key to saving money. Holidays are often the best time for deals. The days right after holidays are good, too. Think of candy sales the day after Halloween, and Christmas decorations that are marked down right after Dec. 25.
Seasons also matter. If you’re looking for items that are in high demand in summer, late summer or early fall is a good time to buy them.
Opening a high-yield savings account is a good way to build up enough cash for things you plan to buy. Online banks typically offer the best yields on savings. Just make sure your account is with a federally insured bank or credit union.
Here is a month-by-month guide for the best times to buy a variety of goods.
Source: Figures based on sales projections from National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.
January is the best time to buy exercise equipment and other fitness-related items to help you keep your New Year’s resolutions. You’ll also find deals on holiday leftovers in the electronics department. Many retailers mark down sheets and other bedding this month. And with people spending most of their time in dry, indoor air, it’s also a good month to shop for humidifiers.
Presidents Day weekend is when mattress deals abound. February is also a good month for furniture sales. You might find stores offering discounts for Valentine’s Day, though you’ll likely find better deals on chocolate, perfume and jewelry after the holiday. Look for markdowns on TVs ahead of the Super Bowl, along with clearance prices on computers and other electronics. As winter starts to wane, expect lower prices on snowblowers, space heaters and winter clothes. Also, sales on tax software begin this month, ahead of the mid-April filing deadline.
Springtime means giving the home and yard a thorough sprucing up, so expect markdowns on house-cleaning and lawn equipment. As you get ready to open up the house after being shuttered in all winter, you’ll see deals on new windows. March ushers in college spring break season and many consumers start thinking about summer vacation plans, so it’s a good month for luggage sales. Retailers get more aggressive about clearing out their winter clothes inventory, too.
If wintry weather lingers into April, look for bargains on equipment to help you get your home and yard looking tidy again. Expect markdowns on bike helmets and grills as the weather warms. You’ll see discounts on formal wear during high school prom season.
Memorial Day weekend is one of the biggest holiday shopping weekends of the year. It’s a good time to save on major purchases, such as air conditioners. Memorial Day weekend is also the traditional end of the school year, so expect to see sales on items related to outdoor fun, vacations, and home and yard maintenance. Look for markdowns over Mother’s Day weekend, too.
Summer begins in June, the kids are out of school and Americans celebrate Father’s Day. It’s an opportune time to shop for equipment related to home, yard and outdoor fun.
Fourth of July and Amazon Prime Day are the sales holidays in July. This year, Amazon Prime Day starts at 3 a.m. Eastern time (midnight Pacific time) on July 12 and lasts through July 13. Prime Day, which started in 2015 to celebrate Amazon’s 20th anniversary, is an opportunity for Prime members and small businesses to score deals on a vast variety of stuff. With the exception of 2020, when Prime Day was held in October due to COVID-19, the event has always been held in June or July.
Other big retailers also hold sales around that time. Look for bargains at Target, Best Buy, Walmart, Home Depot, Wayfair and Bed Bath & Beyond.
Fourth of July is a good time to buy washers, dryers and major kitchen appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers and microwaves.
August is back-to-school month, so it’s a great time to shop for everything from pencils to printers. To ease the financial burden, some states offer sales tax holidays on clothing, shoes and more. Check with your state taxing authority to see which items are included. As summer winds down, it’s a good time to buy bathing suits, patio furniture and other warm weather merchandise. It’s a good month for indoor furniture deals, too, as retailers make way for the next season’s inventory.
Labor Day weekend is a great time to find deals on lots of stuff, including big kitchen appliances, air conditioners and air purifiers, lawn equipment, grills, bicycles, computers, smart speakers and new windows for your home.
The fourth quarter of 2022 is likely to be the best time of the year to buy a new vehicle, says retired automotive journalist Matt DeLorenzo, author of “How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad’s Guide to EV Ownership.”
Tight vehicle inventory reduced consumer demand because of high prices and a lack of purchase incentives and deals chilled the 2022 auto market, but DeLorenzo thinks inventory might improve as the year winds down and dealers may be more apt to negotiate.
“It might be worth waiting until the fourth quarter for the holiday or year-end sales events to buy,” DeLorenzo says. “By then, inventory may be high enough to see some incentives, if not a willingness on the part of the dealer to sell at or below MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price).
“Compact economy cars and midsize sedans are probably the best bets to find a deal,” he adds. “Also, models that are going to be discontinued because of slow sales may provide an opportunity to find a bargain.”
Other items to look for in October include fall and winter yard-work tools. Columbus Day is a popular holiday for mattress markdowns.
The post-Thanksgiving holiday shopping bonanzas of Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the absolute best times of year to buy almost anything, especially TVs, computers, and small and large household appliances.
Many sales that kick off on Black Friday and Cyber Monday continue through Christmas. December is a good month to buy electronics, small appliances, fitness items, winter yard maintenance equipment and other stuff.
To get the most out of every dollar you spend, time your purchases right, keep your eyes peeled for sales, and budget and save money, especially for major purchases. Consider opening a high-yield savings account to give your shopping budget a boost.
Shopping online can save you money and make comparing prices and products easier – even when it comes to buying a vehicle. DeLorenzo recommends looking online for vehicles and not limiting your search to auto dealerships.
“Compare vehicles not only in your geographic area but also look elsewhere in the country,” he says. “Whatever area you’re shopping, remember to put in a ZIP code. What little incentives there are usually are localized.”
Note: Bankrate relied on industry experts and Consumer Reports to compile its list.
Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. Bankrate is compensated in exchange for featured placement of sponsored products and services, or your clicking on links posted on this website. This compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Bankrate.com does not include all companies or all available products.
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