Our e-mail newsletter shares the latest programs and initiatives Consumer Reports will not sell or rent your email address to third parties. See our Privacy Policy.A bit of planning can save you a ton of money when it comes to buying throughout the year. Here’s your comprehensive, always up-to-date guide on the best times to buy everything this year. Click “Expand” on the graphic to get a closer look.You probably know that certain things are cheaper at certain times. Whether you’re buying airfare, dining out, shopping online, or buying anything else, there is often a “best time to buy.” Every year year, we compile a list of the best times to buy stuff based on when stores are trying to push out old stock, when they’re dropping prices for upcoming holidays, or even when they start having sales for no good reason. Check out the chart below for an easy view of the year, or read on for more details. ’s Best Time to Buy guide and PC World’s gadget-specific buying guide.
However, in an effort to make the guide as accurate as possible, we’ve gone searching for more specific, individual sources for each item to ensure you’re looking for deals at the right time (and gotten rid of the items for which there wasn’t clear consensus—like party supplies or aluminum cookware). So, for each item, click the source link for more specific information on when and how to buy. Also, if you’re looking for more specific up-to-the-minute news, we highly recommend checking out Dealnews’ monthly best time to buy feature—it’ll highlight a lot of the same stuff that we do here, but also discuss specific gadgets (like the newest iPad or the Xbox One and PlayStation 4). For a bigger overview of the year, read on! Apart from the above time periods, there are other days of the week or year that are best for buying certain items (which is great if you can’t wait three months for a new computer). We’ve mentioned a few of these around the site before, but in the interest of being comprehensive, here are some things to keep in mind:
And with all things, if you find an item you like, monitor it regularly. Things go on sale for no reason all the time, whether it’s a Shell Shocker on Newegg, the end of a clothing season, or when a particular product goes through a refresh (like Apple computers).That’s our big list for the year. We’ll be updating you at the beginning of each month, reminding you of the best things to buy, but this should help you plan for the year ahead. There are some very real reasons (beyond your horoscope) for when and when not to make certain purchases. Should you really be shopping for a new mattress in April? Or a grill in June? Don't Upgrade Your Mattress...This middle-of-spring month doesn't have any major holidays, and mattress retailers love to hold sales around days that most people have off from work or school, like Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day. Plus, in May, manufacturers tend to mark down old models to clear them out and make room for the new ones coming in, so if you buy in April, you'll be too early to score a deal.
Don't Buy A New Grill... ... between March and June. As soon as people get their first whiff of warm air, they start thinking about burgers and hot dogs, which means they head out to buy charcoal and gas grills -- and high demand means high prices. Leslie Wheeler, director of communications at the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, says you're unlikely to get a great buy early in the season. Wait until after the Fourth of July or, if you can hold out, autumn, when prices are at an all-year low. Don't Restock Your Home Office... ... in March, April, November or December. Instead, plan on replenishing your work space around the same time that kids are filling up their backpacks for the new school year; August and September tend to bring deals on anything office- or school-related. Don't Purchase Those Earrings You've Been Admiring... ... in February, May or December. As with grills, increased jewelry demand translates to top prices, so avoid buying around Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Christmas (exceptions: Black Friday and Cyber Monday).
If you're in the market for a new watch, though, do buy around a holiday. Shelton says it's good to wait for Father's Day and graduation season when these items typically go on sale. Don't Get The Stitching On That Jacket Fixed... ... in November or December. David Eisele, board member and past president of the Custom Tailors & Designers Association, told us you probably won't be able to get any deals on tailoring during the holiday rush -- and you'll also have to face long lines. If you wait until January or February, you may be able to negotiate a discount (sometimes as much as 25 percent). Don't Get That Treadmill... ... between November and February. Everyone wants to exercise indoors when it's cold outside, so prices for treadmills, stationary bikes and elliptical trainers are usually at their highest in winter. household savings expert Jeanette Pavini says, you'll find sales on this type of equipment. That also includes gear, such as the weight-lifting bar, pull-up bar and kettlebell needed for home workouts like the immensely popular CrossFit program.
Check out HuffPost OWN on Facebook and Twitter.Here's The Best Month To Buy Everything Sometimes, finding the best deals has more to do when when you shop than where. "There really is a best time to do just about anything and everything, and that's especially true when it comes to buying things," writes Mark Di Vincenzo in his book, "Buy Ketchup in May and Fly at Noon" Using tips from Di Vincenzo, along with time-tested advice from sources like DealNews and Mint, we've complied dozens of examples of the best times to buy just about everything. Click here to see the full guide > Get the Slide Deck from Henry Blodget's IGNITION Presentation on the Future of Digital Read Business Insider On The Go Available on iOS or Android See All Jobs » Thanks to our partnersExcerpted from the 2013 AARP AlmanacAs the saying goes, for everything there is a season. And there is a season for when you should — and shouldn't — buy a car, a dining room set, a new refrigerator.
Here's how your calendar can help you be a savvy shopper. Sporting goods: Cold weather puts the chill on two-wheeling leisure and ball-field activities, so expect prices to drop with the temperature — at least in colder climates. Furniture: Many furniture companies introduce items in February, so retailers are eager to make room for new inventory. Expect January sales on previous-year merchandise. Linens and bedding: So-called white sales are a tradition that's been around since 1878. No reason to expect that will change this year. Air conditioners: Need you ask why? Early winter is also the best time to have existing units serviced — along with lawn mowers. Cameras: Some industry trade shows occur in January to unveil new models, so older inventory is marked down, and you can snap up bargains. Luggage: With a lull between the busy holiday travel rush and the beginning of spring break, it's a good time to bag deals. China and flatware: Between the holidays and the upcoming wedding season, retailers dish out discounts.
Gardening tools: Before spring fever hits, inventory may be sparse. But what's available should be cheaper than in coming months. Winter outerwear: Who thinks about parkas, gloves and hats toward the end of March? Retailers with leftover inventory, that's who. Look for deals and be ready for next winter's wrath. Athletic footwear: Check out spring sale savings on sneakers. Computers: As tax refunds arrive, so do discounts, especially for laptops. Vacuum cleaners: Find spring savings before new models come out in the coming months. BBQ accessories: Stock up on charcoal and lighter fluid before barbecue season. But hold off on buying grills for now. Patio furniture: The new stuff hits stores, along with seasonal sales on it and on leftover stock. Spring and summer clothing: Sales begin in shower-filled April, but the better bargains are in May — especially around Memorial Day weekend. Health club memberships: Gyms empty as more fitness fans opt for outdoor workouts.
Look for healthy savings. Men's suits: Ties may be a classic Father's Day gift, but suits and dress shirts are a better buy. Tools: Expect sawed-off prices just before and after Father's Day. Kitchen appliances: Look for discounts on refrigerators, ranges and microwaves starting mid-month. Grills: After July 4, expect plenty of markdowns. Lawn and gardening supplies: As summer reaches its midpoint, prices dip on remaining lawn mowers, as well as on lawn and gardening supplies. Camping equipment: These summer supplies take up a lot of room in stores, which need to display winter gear. Look for deals on tents and sleeping bags. Linens and storage containers: College-bound kids need 'em, and good sales abound on these and other dorm supplies. Wine: Many vineyards release new wines in the early fall, so it's a good time to stock up on the existing inventory. Bicycles: Retailers try to unload last season's models. Cars: Post-Labor Day, you won't have to work so hard haggling on existing new models.
Also look for financing deals, especially toward the end of the month. Grills and lawn mowers: These summer staples can be a wintertime display and storage headache. Shop after Labor Day. Cookware: Retailers discount prices for early holiday shoppers. Lingerie: Get special discounts this month and maybe next. RVs: As with cars, new models arrive in the fall — and prices on existing inventory get slashed. Look for this trend to continue through the winter months. GPS devices: Navigate toward unexpected discounts around the end of the month. Baby products: A good selection — with prices to match — makes this the month to buy clothing and accessories for grandkids' first holiday. Televisions and electronics: Black Friday and Cyber Monday, of course, offer well-publicized deals. But with more retailers kicking off the holiday shopping season on Thanksgiving Day itself, it's the perfect time to cruise the Internet for those discounts. Cars: Traditionally, this is a slow time at dealerships, since consumers' attention turns to holiday spending.