OK, I'll say a word and you respond with the first thing that pops into your head.
Me: January.
You: White sales!
Excellent response—the very one I was hoping for to set the tone for this column. It’s important to note that times have changed with these monthly sale guides. In recent years, some of the best sales often take place immediately before the related holiday or season.
Here’s a quick month-by-month guide for the best times to purchase all sorts of consumer goods.
October
This is the big candy month. Stock up for all your holidays. And it may be a good time to buy a new car, if you must. In October, salespeople are getting nervous about meeting or beating year-end quotas. And have you noticed October is National Pizza Month?!November
Turkeys are priced dirt-cheap from now through Christmas. So are cranberries and baking supplies. Stock the freezer, because a turkey that remains frozen is good for at least a year.December
Everything you can imagine, from toys to computers, shoes to perfume, crystal to party foods, and cellphones to baby furniture is on sale in hopes of boosting holiday retail sales.January
Besides everything Christmas, as well as other white sale items such as towels and blankets, this is the time to stock up. TVs are priced lowest during the two weeks prior to the Super Bowl.February
Presidents Day is the cue for furniture retailers to offer blowout bargains, especially on upholstered furniture.March
Even though it still feels like winter, home improvement centers haul out air conditioners in March and put them on sale. And March is National Frozen Food month, so plan to fill your freezer.April
Home improvement items such as flooring, house paint, and gardening supplies are good buys now. And eggs—both chocolate and fowl. Think: Easter.May
Mattresses and box springs are highly promoted from late May to early fall. This is when retailers get support from the mattress manufacturers in the form of advertising and special offers. Memorial Day weekend is the signal for big-ticket items such as major appliances to go on sale.June
If you’re not too picky, this is a great month to buy a wedding dress. What hasn’t sold gets highly discounted in anticipation of a new season of bridalwear. Home tools and hardware, dairy foods (yep, it’s National Dairy Month), and menswear are hot items in June, too.July
Electronics, including air conditioners (what’s left by this time in the season) and ceiling fans; craft supplies; summer clothes; shoes; swimwear; and barbecues are bargains this month.August
Outdoor furniture, now marked down, is taking its last breath as the season winds down. Fresh produce is cheap this month, as are school supplies and preseason fall fashions. And white sale items are now offered routinely in August. My grandmother would be happy.September
Golf clubs are a bargain this month, along with canned goods, scooters, bikes, and ... houses. Home sellers who were unsuccessful in selling during the summer are anxious to move before Christmas. Now they may listen to your ridiculously low offer.Would you like more information? Go to EverydayCheapskate.com for links and resources for recommended products and services in this column. Mary invites questions, comments, and tips at EverydayCheapskate.com, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a lifestyle blog, and the author of the book “Debt-Proof Living.” Copyright 2020 Creators.com
