I recently got this article from
RedFlagDeals.com and thought I would pass it along to you.
It's a little long but is quite helpful to all us Recessionistas.
What to Buy When
Don’t you just love it when you see that $10 Christmas wrap you bought in December is selling for $1.50 in January? And doesn't it give you a warm, fuzzy feeling when a friend tells you she bought the exact same sweater/refrigerator/car as you at a much lower price than you paid? Probably not. So why does this keep happening? It isn’t that the universe is against you, necessarily, it may just be that you’re shopping for the right thing at the wrong time.
Like fashion, sports, and the weather, shopping is also affected by the seasons. So, to assist you in becoming the best shopper that you can be, we at RedFlagDeals.com have compiled this handy shopping calendar to help you maximize your annual savings. Of course, there will always be those impromptu sales and amazing deals you can’t plan for, but this guide, along with some planning, may help you save enough throughout the year to hit those surprise sales guilt free!
What To Buy In The Spring:Fall and winter outerwear. Typically, March is the hot month to shop for cold-weather wear. Retailers need to clear out this seasonal merchandise in order to make room for spring and summer fashions, and that translates to big savings for you.
Used cars. Industry experts believe April is the best time to purchase a used vehicle. This is the month when dealerships start stocking up for the warm weather and more stock means better selection and more room for negotiation.
Laptop computers. While the back-to-school shopping season seems to get all the credit for good deals on computers, it turns out the prices for laptops are actually better in April. This could be attributed to manufacturers clearing out their older models to make room for the newer versions coming out this time of year.
Cookware and small kitchen appliances. Spring is graduation and wedding season, and those graduates and newlyweds need toasters and sauté pans. Luckily, you don’t have to tie the knot or get a degree to take advantage of the sales on kitchen items that coincide with this gift-buying season.
Travel. With the exception of Spring Break, this time of year is a shoulder season in the travel industry. That means you’ll find great off-season rates on everything from airfare to hotel rooms to vacation-home rentals.
Flowers. When spring has officially sprung you’ll see lower prices on fresh in-season flowers. Just avoid paying through the nose around Mother’s Day.
Mattresses. Remember it this way – May is for mattresses. You’ll save the most on last year’s mattress models as the new ones hit the stores this month.
Tools. What do dads want for Father’s Day? Tools, of course! Wait until just after Father’s Day and take advantage of sales on the tools that didn’t get snapped up for gifts.
Vacuum cleaners. You may not have it circled on your calendar, but June is the month vacuum cleaner manufacturers roll out their new models – and put the older models on sale.
What To Buy In The Summer:
Gym memberships. The rush of New Year’s-resolution-inspired sales has long passed and many people are getting their fitness fixes out in the sunny weather. This means gyms are more likely to sweeten the deal in order to sign you up.
Home décor. July is a good month to spruce up your home. Retailers often feature sales on home goods to coincide with the spike in wedding-gift shopping that occurs in July.
Furniture. Furniture manufacturers usually release their new stock in February and August, making the end of summer one of the prime times to score deals on outgoing furniture models.
Patio furniture/outdoor toys/camping gear/lawn mowers. The end of August is a great time for bargains on seasonal items. Retailers tend to hold clearance sales on everything from patio lanterns to swing sets to camp stoves in order to make room for fall merchandise.
Warm-weather clothing. It seems like tank tops and flip-flops start to get replaced with sweaters and boots earlier and earlier each year as retailers rush to cash in on the next season’s fashions. By mid to late summer you’ll save a bundle on summer clothing and still have plenty of time to wear it.
Fresh produce. Why overpay in the colder months when you can stock up on cheap, seasonal fruits and then freeze or preserve them now? Let the other suckers pay $6 for a fruit smoothie in November.
Computers. The back-to-school shopping season at the end of summer is a great time to pick up a new computer for less. While the retailers try to capitalize on all those students you can capitalize on all the great sales being offered.
What To Buy In The Fall:
New cars. Dealerships are preparing for the influx of next year’s models and that means big savings on the current models still in stock. Experts recommend shopping on a weekday morning to maximize your savings.
Major appliances. September and October is when you’ll see the new appliances hitting the market, so this is a great time to get a deal on last year’s make of refrigerator or washer and dryer.
Candy. Treat your sweet tooth to a budget candy bonanza in the days after Halloween. Unfortunately, there are no deals on dental work this month, so don’t overdo it.
Baking ingredients. If you prefer to make your own treats rather than hitting the after-Halloween sales, October and November are good months to stock up on supplies. Prior to the holiday baking frenzy, prices tend to drop to help you prepare.
Travel. Like the spring, fall is a shoulder season in the travel industry. Look to save big with off-season rates at resorts and on flights, cruises, and hotels before the Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday season kicks off.
Tech gadgets. Retailers are releasing the latest tech toys and gadgets to take advantage of the holiday shopping season, so now is a great time to save on previous models of these products.
Toys and games. The toy industry usually gears up for the holiday season with some strong offers on games and puzzles in the fall. You may start seeing some half-price or two-for-one boardgame deals as the weather gets colder.
Wine. Keep your eye out for deals on higher-quality wines in the early fall months. New vintages are launching this time of year and that often equates to savings for consumers. It’s also a good time for affordable winery tours.
Cosmetics and fragrances. Holiday gift sets are big sellers for the fragrance and cosmetics industry. You’ll get a lot more bang for your buck with retailers throwing in free products, samples, carrying cases and more.
What To Buy In The Winter:
Appliances, computers, and televisions. From Boxing Day/Week and into the New Year, retailers offer big savings on these big-ticket items – so adjust your holiday-shopping budget accordingly!
Barbecues. Your summer grilling days may be behind you, but there’s always next year! Pick up a new barbecue during the winter season and you’ll save substantially compared to the pricing in spring and summer.
Real Estate. While you may not find as much of a selection as in the more popular spring, winter can be a good opportunity to score some off-season deals on a new house, condo, or apartment.
Christmas decorations and wrap. Why pay more next December? You’ll be able to pick up all kinds of Christmas wrap, décor, and accessories at a fraction of their original price at the end of December and into January.
Clothing and footwear. The after-Christmas period is a bargain shopper’s dream come true – this is when retailers are most desperate for your shopping dollars and you’ll find some of the biggest discounts of the year on clothing, footwear, and accessories.
Air conditioners. This may not be high on your priority list while it’s below zero outside, but you’ll get a much better deal by not waiting to shop for your air conditioner during the sweltering peak-season days of summer.
Exercise equipment. Retailers know they only have a small window of time to cash in on your New Year’s fitness resolutions, that’s why you’ll find some of the best prices on fitness equipment during the month of January.
Candy. Just in case you didn’t get enough chocolate over the holidays, you’ll find deep price cuts on boxed chocolates and seasonal goodies at the end of December and into January. It’s also a good idea to stock up on chocolates Post-Valentine’s Day without paying the high pre-Valentine’s Day prices.
Linens, towels, bedding. White Sales abound in the new year, so this is a good time to stock up and save on basics for your home.
Wedding supplies. The majority of weddings occur in spring and summer, making this a prime time to take advantage of off-season winter wedding products and services.
Boats. Just because you won’t be breaking out the sunblock and Captain’s hat and hitting the high-seas (or lakes) any time soon, doesn’t mean it’s not a good idea to take advantage of the much lower off-season pricing when it comes to shopping for boats.
Carpet and flooring. January is a good time to take on a home-renovation product like new carpet and flooring – retailers generally offer up good incentives to get you spending during this month.
Furniture. February is one of two months when furniture manufacturers roll out new product lines (the other being August), making this a good time to save substantially on last year’s furniture selection.
Digital Cameras. Shop for a digital camera in January and February – in addition to the many after-holiday sales, manufacturers are releasing new models now so you’re likely to snap up some good deals on last year’s stock.
Happy shopping!
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