Best Time to Buy: Your Calendar for Smart Shopping

Shop the yearly calendar

• When to buy by season
• When to buy by month
• When to buy specific items

Timing your purchases can save you significant money throughout the year. Here's a seasonal and month-by-month guide to help you plan and take advantage of the best deals on major items.

Seasonal breakdown for big purchases

Winter (January – February)

• Cars: Best time to buy a car is at the end of the month or during holiday promotions (New Year’s Day).

• Appliances: Take advantage of New Year’s sales on large and small appliances.

• Mattresses: Discounts start during New Year promotions and continue with clearance stock.

Spring (March – May)

• Gardening supplies: Stock up on outdoor essentials as spring begins.

• Grills: Early spring through Memorial Day offers great deals on grills.

• Lawnmowers: Best bought in early spring, leading up to Father’s Day.

Summer (June – August)

• Laptops: Back-to-school season is ideal for bundles on multiple devices or accessories and is often paired with tax-free weekends.

• Outdoor furniture: End-of-summer clearance in August provides huge discounts.

• Cars: Memorial Day promotions and the summer months often feature special financing or rebates.

Fall (September – November)

• Patio furniture: Prices drop significantly in September as retailers clear out summer inventory.

• Large appliances: Labor Day and Black Friday offer some of the best deals of the year.

• Electronics: TVs and gadgets see huge discounts from October through Cyber Monday.

Holiday season (November – December)

• TVs: Black Friday and Cyber Monday bring discounted prices, with deals starting in late October.

• Home goods: Year-end clearance sales help you save on holiday decorations and gifts.

• Cars: The end of the year is ideal for negotiating deals as dealerships aim to meet annual quotas.

Month-to-month guide for the best deals

January – February: Post-holiday sales & Yew Year discounts

What to buy:

• Bedding, linens and home essentials (White Sales)

• TVs (Sports championship sales)

• Fitness equipment (New Year’s resolutions)

Why buy now: Retailers offer deep discounts to clear out inventory after the holiday season, making it the perfect time to upgrade your home or kickstart your fitness goals.

March – April: Spring prep & winter clearance

What to buy:

• Gardening supplies and outdoor furniture

• Spring clothing

• Winter clothing (clearance deals)

Why buy now: Stores transition to spring inventory, offering deals on winter items while helping you prepare your garden and patio for the warmer months.

May – June: Memorial Day deals & furniture discounts

What to buy:

• Mattresses (Memorial Day sales)

• Large appliances

• Indoor furniture (pre-summer discounts)

• Grills

Why buy now: Memorial Day is one of the biggest sale events of the year, with massive discounts on household items and outdoor products.

July – August: Back-to-school & summer savings

What to buy:

• School supplies, laptops and clothing

• TVs (Amazon Prime Day)

• Patio furniture and outdoor gear (end-of-summer clearance)

Why buy now: Back-to-school season means discounts on essentials for students, while summer clearance sales offer great deals on seasonal items.

September – October: End-of-summer clearance & pre-holiday prep

What to buy:

• Patio furniture, grills and outdoor gear

• Home goods (Labor Day sales)

• Fall clothing and gear

Why buy now: Retailers clear out summer inventory and offer pre-holiday discounts, making it a great time to stock up for fall adventures or next summer.

November – December: Black Friday, Cyber Monday & holiday sales

What to buy:

• Electronics (TVs, laptops, appliances)

• Holiday gifts, decorations and winter clothing

• Toys and games

Why buy now: The holiday shopping season is packed with discounts, from Black Friday to year-end clearance sales, perfect for wrapping up the year with savings.

Smart shopping tips

1. Plan ahead: Track seasonal trends for optimal savings.
2. Leverage memberships: Use discounts from loyalty or warehouse programs.
3. Shop online: Use price-tracking tools for competitive pricing.
4. Consider secondhand: Refurbished or used items (like furniture or electronics) can save money without sacrificing quality.

Timing your big purchases could save you hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars. Use this calendar to plan your shopping list so you can get the best value throughout the year.