Chances are you’re going to buy lots of stuff
this year. Sometimes you have no choice about when to shop, like when the
‘fridge is running on empty, your microwave nukes its last leftover or your
clothes washer gurgles a death rattle.
Many purchases, however – big and little – can wait until
the time is optimal for getting the very best deals. So if
you’re thinking of upgrading an item you currently own or adding something new
to your inventory, mark your calendar now and then watch for deals from
national and local retailers. Here are tips from consumer experts on the best months to target for
shopping for specific items.
January
Fitness is a key component for this
post-holiday period with elliptical bikes, treadmills and bathroom scales on
sale. For tucking in comfortably on cold winter nights, bed linens are on sale,
as are towels. New model office furniture debuts next month, so retailers put
existing inventory on sale.
February
If high-end chocolates appeal to you, shop the
sales immediately after Valentine’s Day, as you won’t find these premium
products on sale often. Mattress sales are huge for Presidents’ Day in
mid-month, and winter sports gear and coats are on season-end sales, even
though winter will linger awhile. February is also a good time to shop for
major appliances, housewares and cookware. To get a jump start on spring, look
for bargains on running shoes.
March
This change-of-season month is a good time to
shop for luggage, in preparation for spring and summer travel. You can find
great deals on winter sports equipment and all winter clothing and cold-weather
accessories. Digital cameras and humidifiers also go on sale in March. If you
missed the January deals on fitness equipment, this is another good time to
look for treadmills, ellipticals and small workout-at-home items like weights
and fitness mats. March is frozen food month, so think about stocking your
freezer with frozen veggies, fruits and prepared meals. Try out a new set of
golf clubs on sale as spring begins.
April
New carpeting is a popular upgrade after
winter and as spring sets in, deals abound. Desktop and laptop computer also go
on sale and you can find great offers on jewelry. As thoughts turn to vacation
time, cruise lines offer special rates through the entire season if you book
now. Car auctions for dealers are plentiful in spring and they’re trying to
move used cars quickly, so this is a good time to upgrade your ride. It’s also
a good time to improve your old ride with new tires.
May
If a wedding is on the horizon, bridal gowns
are on sale in May. Baby necessities like high chairs and strollers are on
clearance, so plan ahead if a new arrival is expected in your family. You can
find good buys on desktop and laptop computers and mattresses, if you missed
February’s sales. If your home needs a bright new look, interior and exterior
paints go on sale in May, as do wood stains.
June
As the 2018 hurricane season starts, you can
get great rates on Caribbean cruises starting now. If a northern route is more
appealing, it’s off season for Alaskan cruises, so you can find good packages
for remaining sailings for 2018. To record your upcoming summer adventures,
camcorders are on sale in June. Indoor furniture is on close-out prices, as
much of the focus is now on outdoor living. To add to your outdoor fun, summer
sports gear is on the seasonal promotion tables. With the focus on outdoor
recreation, gym memberships are attractively priced in June.
July
Tools, barbecue grills and decking are big
clearance items in July, as the outdoor season remains the main retail focus.
As thoughts start to turn to back-to-school time, however, summer clothes end
up on the sales racks and you can find good buys on computers. With no major
gift season coming up, jewelry retailers are looking for customers and offer
enticing specials.
August
The retail focus this month is on the end of
summer and start of the school year. Look for bargains on air conditioners,
outdoor furniture and dehumidifiers. Backpacks, school supplies and kids’
clothing are on sale, as retailers compete for traffic in stores and clicks
online. As you shop for back-to-school season, watch for tax-free shopping days
in your area on many essential items. If you like to plan way ahead, look for
pre-season offers on snow blowers.
September
New cars debut in late September and October,
so dealers need to clear their lots of the remaining 2018 inventory. This is
also a good time to shop for major appliances and office supplies. If travel is
on your holiday agenda, book now for the best rates on airfares, hotels and car
rentals. In advance of the holiday entertaining season, look for sales on wine.
October
Summer is now truly history, so remaining
bikes, barbecue grills, lawn mowers, tractors and camping gear are on clearance
sales. If you’re looking for big-ticket items for holiday gifts, check out the
offers on digital cameras and desktop computers.
November
For great buys on TVs, November is a good time
to hunt. Electronics on sale this month include camcorders and GPS systems. If
you want to spruce up your home for holiday entertaining, furniture is on sale
in November, as are vacuum cleaners and tool kits. For the gamers on your
shopping list, video games are on close-out special. And of course, check out
the Black Friday offers, if you can deal with the strange shopping hours and
the crowds; and Cyber Monday offers, for click-and-buy convenience.
December
Not surprising, December is a good time to buy
just about anything, as the make-or-break retail season rushes toward its
conclusion. If your budget allows, put some cash aside for shopping for
yourself, in addition to the family and friends on your holiday shopping list.
Numerous items on sale now include camcorders, e-book readers, gas grills, GPS
systems, headphones, kitchen cookware, major appliances, TVs and of course,
toys. December is also a good time to shop for a new house, as the market is
slow and sellers may be willing to lower their asking price considerably if
they really need to move on. For New Year’s parties and stocking up for the
coming months, champagne and other bubbly wines are on sale. Cheers to smart
shopping in 2018!
The best shopping advice for year-round, of
course, is to avoid an impulse purchase of any high-ticket item. Do your
research, know the typical price, comparison shop, and if you can, wait for a
great deal and then act before you miss it. Afterwards, feel satisfied that
you’re a savvy shopper.
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