Best Time To Buy
What is the the Best Time to Buy What?
Planning and timing is everything, especially for frugal consumers who need to make a big purchase. Knowing the best time to buy something -- from cars and houses to televisions and appliances -- goes a long way toward saving you big bucks.
The best time to buy a big-ticket item is usually when a newer model is introduced. For example, new furniture models are released twice a year, so the best time to buy furniture is the month before the new products hit the stores. Season's end is also an excellent buying time. Take, for example, lawn mowers, which are best bought in August and September when winter is on its way and the grass won't need mowing until spring.
Note, though, that following the best-time-to-buy rules in order to get the best bargains means you must be prepared to sacrifice. In other words, forget about having the latest and greatest new model. Older models -- typically equal in quality and in some cases not that much different in features -- come with the biggest discounts.
Need help keeping track? Here's a handy guide ...
January:The Best Time to Buy Furniture
(Also the best time to buy linens, towels, contract work, carpet, flooring, houses, office furniture, digital cameras, and digital picture frames.)
The holidays are over and in much of the country winter is setting in, two conditions that create a shopping lull. To spice things up, department stores generally run "white sales," which serve as the best time to buy linens and towels. January is also the best time to buy holiday decor and wrapping paper. Plus, digital picture frames are often found in the after-Christmas sales bins.
The prospect of hefty holiday credit card bills coming due and the onset of winter hibernation tends to put people off home renovations, so contractors often are willing to strike a deal. January is also the best time to buy flooring and carpet for super-cheap prices. And if you're wondering about the best time to buy a home, January is the month to look for low prices, although selection will be more limited than at other times of the year.
New furniture models come out twice yearly, the first being February, so January is the best time to buy furniture on the cheap. And not to be forgotten, office furniture bargains heat up this month despite the wind chill as many entrepreneurs launch in-home business ventures.
February:The Best Time to Buy Boats
(Also the best time to buy digital cameras.)
The month of love has little to offer bargain hunters. In fact, digital cameras and boats are about the only bargains worth going for in February. The Consumer Electronics Show takes place every January, making February the best time to buy digital cameras as retailers clear out the shelves for newer models. Come February, the winter boat show season is in full swing, and this is the best time to buy a boat for less.
March:The Best Time to Buy A Television
(Also the best time to buy skis, golf clubs, and winter sports gear.)
As the outdoor temperatures begin to climb, demand for winter sporting gear (think skis) cools down and retailers are ready to sell you a bargain. Although the holiday shopping season is a good time to cash in on television deals, the best month to buy a TV is March, when newer models begin arriving at retail locations and merchants must clear out older inventory.
April:The Best Time to Buy A Used Car
(Also the best time to buy a snow blower, jewlery, vacuums, jewelry, office furniture, and sneakers.)
The spring winds blow in a crop of discounts for bargain hunters. April is a good time for charity runs/walks and many new runners hit the pavement in discounted sneakers. New vacuum models are released in June, so the best time to buy an older model is April. (Spring-cleaning plans, anyone?) Tax refund money also sparks sales. The best time to buy jewelry is April when jewelers compete for a portion of your refund check. Small businesses tend to use tax refunds to freshen up office furniture, making early spring another best time to buy these necessities. Car dealers start taking advantage of the changing weather to head out to auctions in search of used vehicles to fill their lots. Not surprisingly, April is also the best time to buy snow blowers and other winter equipment.
May:
The Best Time to Buy A Mattress
(Also the best time to buy refrigerators, furnace installation, and vacuums.)
April showers bring spring flowers and no need for the furnace any longer, which leaves many contractors scampering for work. Spring/May is a best time to buy a furnace and have it installed. Refrigerator and mattress retailers do some spring-cleaning of their own and offer exceptional discounts to make room for incoming merchandise. May is the best time to buy older-model vacuums.
June:The Best Time to Buy A Gym Membership
(Also the best time to buy tools.)
The warm weather heats up gym membership deals as many gym rats take their workouts outdoors. Tools are also hot with Father's Day and many home improvement projects on the horizon.
July:The Best Time to Buy Furniture
(Also the best time to buy jewelry.)
Hot weather means hot furniture and jewelry deals. The second semi-annual release of new furniture models comes in August, which makes July the best time to buy older models for cheap. And with no gift-giving holiday is in sight, jewelers need to offer a bit of an incentive to get your attention, let alone your business.
August:The Best Time to Buy A Computer
(Also the best time to buy a laptop, patio furniture, swing sets, and camping gear.)
Back-to-school sales can work to your advantage even if you don't have kids. In fact, the best time to buy a computer or laptop is during August. It's also the best time to buy patio furniture, lawn mowers, swing sets, and camping gear -- big seasonal items that retailers are ready to purge in exchange for fall and holiday items.
September:The Best Time to Buy Plane Tickets for the Holidays
(Also the best time to buy new cars, appliances, bicycles, patio furniture, lawn mowers, and grills.)
The forecast predicts falling temperatures, so watch for falling prices, too. September is the best time to buy plane tickets for holiday travel. If you know your travel plans, book airfare now before prices creep up closer to the holidays. September is also the best time to buy a car. New car models come out at the end of summer, leaving leftovers from last year taking up space on dealers' lots. Appliance deals on older models also abound this month as new models are introduced. The newest bicycles are released in September and last year's products go on clearance. You can still find patio furniture and lawn mowers for cheap, and the beginning of mark-down season starts for barbecue grills.
October:The Best Time to Buy A New Car
(Also the best time to buy grills, lawn mowers, and appliances.)
Not much new goes on sale this month, but the remainders of summer sales will take on spooky-low price tags. October is still the best time to buy a car, grills, lawn mowers, and older model appliances.
November:
The Best Time to Buy A Laptop
(Also the best time to buy computers, tablets, TVs, electronics, and wedding dresses.)
The biggest shopping time of the year kicks off the day after Thanksgiving with Black Friday followed by Cyber Monday. You won't have to look too hard for all sorts of bargain deals. November is a particularly best time to buy a computer, laptop, tablet, TV, and other electronics. And if you're getting hitched anytime soon, the month of November brings a lull in the wedding business, resulting in the best time to buy a wedding dress.
December:The Best Time to Buy a TV
(Also the best time to buy tablets, computers, laptops, tools, small appliances, electronics, and golf clubs.)
Deals continue on electronics, tablets, TVs, computers, and laptops in the run up to Christmas. 'Tis the season to shop, shop, shop, and December is also the best time to buy tools, small appliances, and golf clubs -- all of which make practical holiday gifts.
