When to Buy What: A Month-by-Month Shopping Calendar

Timing is everything in shopping. Buy a TV in March and you'll overpay. Wait until November and you'll save 40%. This guide shows you exactly when to buy what.

January: New Year, New Deals

Best Buys:

• Fitness Equipment: Retailers stock up for New Year's resolutions, then discount heavily when enthusiasm fades mid-month
• Christmas Decorations: 75% off clearance as stores make room for Valentine's inventory
• Winter Clothing: Deep discounts as spring inventory arrives
• Linens and Bedding: Traditional "white sales" continue from post-holiday clearance

February: Love and Savings

Best Buys:

• Winter Sports Gear: Ski season is ending, prices are dropping
• Tax Software: Early-bird discounts before the April rush
• Presidents Day Sales: Mattresses, furniture, and appliances see major discounts
• Chocolate: Stock up after Valentine's Day at 50% off

March: Spring Cleaning Your Budget

Best Buys:

• Luggage: Pre-summer travel season discounts
• Frozen Foods: National Frozen Food Month brings promotions
• Last Year's Skis: Final clearance before next season
• Golf Clubs: New models arrive in spring, last year's clubs go on sale

April: Spring Forward with Savings

Best Buys:

• Spring Clothing: Easter sales bring discounts on spring fashion
• Vacuum Cleaners: Spring cleaning promotions
• Cookware: Retailers clear inventory before Mother's Day
• Candy: Post-Easter clearance at 75% off

May: Memorial Day Madness

Best Buys:

• Mattresses: Memorial Day weekend is the best time all year
• Appliances: Major sales as retailers push spring inventory
• Outdoor Furniture: Season starts, competition drives prices down
• Grills: Best selection and prices before summer peak

June: Summer Starts, Prices Drop

Best Buys:

• Tools: Father's Day sales bring discounts on power tools and hardware
• Gym Memberships: Mid-year enrollment specials
• Spring Clothing: Clearance as summer inventory takes over
• Laptops: Back-to-school inventory arrives, last year's models discounted

July: Independence from High Prices

Best Buys:

• Summer Clothing: Mid-season clearance begins
• Furniture: July 4th sales rival Memorial Day
• Appliances: New models debut in September, old models discounted now
• Grills: Peak season ends, prices start dropping

August: Back-to-School Bargains

Best Buys:

• School Supplies: Loss leaders to drive traffic, stock up for the year
• Laptops and Tablets: Best deals of the year for students
• Summer Clothing: Final clearance at 70% off
• Backpacks: Widest selection and competitive pricing

September: Fall into Savings

Best Buys:

• Patio Furniture: End of season clearance at 60-70% off
• Grills: Deepest discounts of the year
• Bikes: New models arrive, last year's bikes discounted
• Summer Sports Equipment: Final clearance before winter inventory

October: Spooky Good Deals

Best Buys:

• Jeans and Denim: Fall fashion sales begin
• Candy: Post-Halloween clearance at 75% off
• Older iPhone Models: New models launch, older ones discounted
• Slow Cookers: Pre-holiday cooking season promotions

November: Black Friday and Beyond

Best Buys:

• TVs: Black Friday brings the year's lowest prices
• Small Appliances: Doorbuster deals and deep discounts
• Toys: Black Friday through Cyber Monday for best selection and prices
• Laptops: Cyber Monday is the best day for tech deals
• Clothing: Black Friday weekend beats end-of-season sales

December: Holiday Hustle

Best Buys:

• Gift Cards: Bonus card promotions (spend $50, get $10 free)
• Champagne: New Year's Eve week brings discounts
• Toys: Week after Christmas for clearance
• Winter Clothing: Post-holiday clearance starts December 26
• Christmas Decorations: December 26 at 50% off, deeper discounts in January

The Exceptions to the Rules

Some items don't follow seasonal patterns:

• Groceries: Buy what's on sale this week, not what's "in season"
• Cars: Best deals are end of month when salespeople need to hit quotas, regardless of season
• Books: Used books are always cheap, new releases rarely discount
• Jewelry: Best prices are January and July, worst are February and December

How to Use This Calendar

Strategic shopping means planning ahead:

1. Make a list of big purchases you'll need in the next 12 months
2. Mark your calendar for the optimal buying month for each item
3. Set price alerts so you know when deals hit
4. Be patient and wait for the right month unless you urgently need the item
5. When the time comes, compare prices across retailers to find the best deal

The Waiting Game Pays Off

Buying a winter coat in January instead of November can save you 50%. Waiting three months for a TV purchase can save you $300. Patience is literally profitable.

But timing alone isn't enough. You also need to compare prices across retailers and factor in all costs. That's where tools like PayLessly help, showing you not just when to buy, but where to buy for the lowest total price.

Because the best time to buy is when the price is right and you've done your homework.