Best Times to Buy Everything: A Month-by-Month Guide to Finding Deals

Ever wonder why some people always seem to score amazing deals? The secret is knowing when to shop. Retailers tend to have sales in predictable patterns throughout the year by clearing out old inventory, discounting seasonal items and running big sales around holidays.

• January and February are perfect for finding post-holiday deals and steep discounts on older winter inventory.
• March to May is bursting with springtime discounts on a wide range of items.
• June to August brings hot deals on summer essentials and back-to-school gear.
• September to December is full of bargains on seasonal and year-end purchases.

When you plan your purchases around these common sales cycles, you can save a lot of money on the things you need. For example, during the weeks around Memorial Day, Labor Day and Black Friday, prices on kitchen appliances can drop 20-35% as new models come in. That’s a big difference just for waiting until the right time to shop.

Whether you’re planning a large purchase or simply want to make your everyday budget go further, our month-by-month deal-seeking guide can help you shop smarter and save hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars each year. You can search this guide by month and by item, plus get tips on how to save as much money as possible.

Plan to save big with this month-by-month shopping calendar

January: New-year deals on fitness, home goods and winter gear

• Gyms and retailers offer deep discounts on treadmills, exercise bikes, weight sets and other home gym gear in January to appeal to New Year’s resolution shoppers.
• Tech-savvy bargain seekers can find deals on small electronics like smart watches and sound bars.
• You’ll find traditional sales on linens and bedding so you can stock up on sheets, towels, comforters and blankets. 
• Humidifiers go on sale just in time to help you deal with the cold, dry winter air.
• Winter clothing hits clearance racks as retailers make room for spring inventory. Coats, boots, sweaters and cold-weather accessories get marked down. Wait until mid-to-late January for even steeper discounts.
• Holidays this month: New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day

February: Holiday bargains on appliances, furniture and electronics

• Presidents Day weekend in February brings major sales on big-ticket items like appliances, furniture and mattresses.
• Look for deals on cameras, printers and tablets as retailers clear out inventory ahead of spring releases.
• Winter sports equipment goes on clearance as ski season winds down. If you’re planning ahead for next year, now is the time to grab skis, snowboards and winter gear at steep discounts.
• Snowblowers and space heaters get marked down as demand drops and retailers make room for spring merchandise.
• Holidays this month: Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day

March: Deals for spring cleaning and tax season

• Retailers offer deals on tax software and office supplies in March as many people prepare their tax returns.
• Spring cleaning season means deals on cleaning supplies, vacuum cleaners, air purifiers, organizational tools and storage solutions to help you tackle your annual chores.
• Winter items continue to drop in price as stores clear out remaining inventory.
• You’ll see early discounts on lawn and garden equipment like yard trimmers as retailers prepare for the busy spring season. 
• If you’re in the market for replacement windows, you may find deals now.

April: Smart savings on spring lawn care and outdoor gear

• Lawn maintenance equipment is typically on sale in April. You’ll find discounts on leaf blowers, chainsaws, pressure washers, lawnmowers and other yard care essentials. 
• You can find good prices on spring clothing as stores transition to their summer inventory. 
• Retailers want to get rid of their current inventory of grills before Memorial Day sales kick in. 
• Vacuum cleaners continue to see discounts as spring cleaning wraps up. Carpet cleaners also should be discounted now.
• Prices on windows will still be discounted into April.

May: Big Memorial Day sales on mattresses and appliances

• Memorial Day weekend in May is one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year. Mattresses see some of their deepest discounts, so it’s the perfect time to upgrade your bed. 
• Appliances like refrigerators, ranges and dishwashers go on sale as new models arrive in summer. You can save big by buying last year’s model. 
• Retailers cut prices on fitness trackers and smart watches, which can make nice Mother’s Day presents.
• Get ready for summer with promotional pricing on essentials like outdoor furniture, grills, sunscreen, insect repellent and air conditioners.
• Home improvement supplies like tools, paints and stains are discounted as DIY season peaks.
• This is a good time to shop for baby gear and strollers if you can grab Memorial Day deals.
• Holidays this month: Mother’s Day and Memorial Day

June: Summer deals on outdoor gear and tools

• Summer officially starts in June, and retailers are already thinking ahead to fall. That means outdoor gear like tents, backpacks, lanterns and fitness equipment will be marked down. 
• If you need to upgrade your toolbox or yard care setup, tools and lawn equipment are discounted for Father’s Day. 
• You’ll find deals on small electronics, like blood glucose monitors, smart speakers and smart watches. 
• Summer sales continue with deals on essentials like air conditioners, sunscreen and insect repellent.
• With wedding season in full swing, keep an eye out for sales on gifts and registry items.
• Holidays this month: Father’s Day

July: Holiday sales on appliances and summer gear

• Independence Day sales kick off the month of July with deals on appliances, furniture and mattresses. The prices are similar to Memorial Day weekend’s deep discounts.
• Refrigerators, microwaves, washing machines and clothes dryers typically are marked down a lot this month.
• Deals on grills heat up as retailers clear their inventory after the July 4 holiday rush. 
• Restock your supply of sunscreen and insect repellent as the summer sales continue.
• Summer clothes hit clearance racks at steep markdowns as stores make room for fall arrivals.
• You can find excellent prices on air conditioners, air purifiers and dehumidifiers. New models typically launch in summer, which makes last year’s versions more affordable.
• Small electronics like blood glucose monitors, blood pressure monitors and home security cameras should be on sale.
• The holiday weekend is a good time to shop for baby strollers.
• Holidays this month: Fourth of July, Amazon® Prime Day

August: Back-to-school tech and Labor Day preview sales

• Back-to-school sales dominate August. Laptops, tablets, printers, wireless routers and other tech devices see significant discounts. 
• Back-to-school supplies, backpacks and clothing get marked down as retailers compete for family budgets. 
• Find good deals on seasonal items like grills and patio furniture near the end of the month as outdoor living season winds down. 
• Mattresses will have another round of major discounts. 
• Household necessities like freezers, microwaves, vacuum cleaners and dehumidifiers go on sale. If you held off during earlier sales, Labor Day often matches or beats those prices.

September: Labor Day savings and end-of-summer clearance

• Labor Day weekend extends into early September as sales continue on appliances, mattresses and a variety of outdoor items. 
• After the holiday, summer gear goes on deep clearance. Swimsuits, pool supplies and beach accessories hit rock-bottom prices—perfect for stocking up for next year. 
• Grills get their final deep discounts before retailers shift to fall and winter merchandise. Many big-box retailers like Lowe’s® and Home Depot® offer discounts to members of the military. 
• Air conditioners are on sale as summer ends and demand drops.
• You can find price cuts on major kitchen appliances like ranges, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and laundry machines. 
• As fall arrives, you can find deals on yard maintenance essentials like chainsaws, lawn mowers, tractors, leaf blowers and snow blowers. 
• Windows and home improvement supplies are discounted now as contractors and homeowners wrap up projects before winter arrives.
• Holidays this month: Labor Day

October: Fall equipment and early holiday season deals

• October is a smart time to start your holiday shopping early if you see good deals. Prices on some items may not get much better even during the November rush.
• Small kitchen appliances like blenders, food processors and coffee makers start dropping in price ahead of Black Friday. 
• Small electronics like blood pressure monitors and home thermostats should be on sale, too.
• Large appliances continue their promotional pricing. 
• Mattresses see another round of sales. 
• You can still find discounts on chainsaws, leaf blowers and snow blowers.
• Holidays this month: Indigenous People’s Day and Halloween

November: Steep discounts for Black Friday and Cyber Monday

• Black Friday sales and Cyber Monday deals make November the biggest shopping month of the year. Just about everything goes on sale. The deepest discounts are on TVs, laptops, tablets and small appliances. 
• As the holiday entertaining season approaches, large appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers and laundry pairs see some of their lowest prices of the year. 
• Vacuums also go on sale again this month.
• Toys and electronics get heavily discounted as retailers compete for holiday shoppers. 
• If you’re buying big-ticket items like furniture or mattresses, this is often the best time of year to buy.
• Gaming consoles, headphones and smart home devices also hit rock-bottom pricing.
• Holidays this month: Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday

December: Post-holiday clearance and year-end deals

• Early December continues Black Friday momentum with ongoing sales on electronics and appliances. Look for deals on laptops, tablets and more.
• Televisions and soundbars see post-holiday discounts as retailers make room for next year’s models.
• Toys get marked down after post-holiday sales as stores clear remaining inventory. 
• Gift cards often come with bonus offers, like giving you something extra for free if you buy a certain amount. 
• Fitness equipment starts seeing deals again as retailers prep for the January resolution rush.
• After the holiday shopping rush peaks in mid-December, winter sports equipment and cold-weather gear will go on clearance.
• Holidays this month: Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa

The best times to buy almost everything you need

Sometimes you know exactly what you need but aren’t sure when to buy it. This list organizes the best shopping months by product category so you can plan your purchase around the deepest discounts:

• Air conditioners: May, June, July, September
• Appliances (large): February, May, July, August, September, October, November, December
• Appliances (small): July, August, September, October, November, December
• Baby gear and strollers: May, July
• Cleaning supplies and storage solutions: March 
• Computers and laptops: August, November
• Dehumidifiers: July
• Electronics (cameras, printers, tablets): February, August, November, December
• Electronics (small): June, August, October, November, December
• Fitness gear: January, May, June, December
• Furniture: February, July, November
• Gift cards: December
• Grills: April, May, July, August, September
• Home improvement supplies: May, June, September
• Humidifiers: January
• Kitchen appliances: May, July, September, November
• Lawn and garden equipment and furniture: March, April, May, June, August, September, October
• Linens and bedding: January
• Mattresses: February, April, July, August, September, October, November
• Outdoor gear (tents, camping equipment): June, September
• School supplies and backpacks: August
• Smart watches: January, May, June, November
• Snow blowers and winter equipment: February, September, October
• Soundbars: December
• Spring clothing: April
• Summer clothing: July
• Sunscreen and insect repellent: May, June, July
• Swim gear: September
• Tax software and office supplies: March
• Toys: November, December
• TVs: November, December
• Vacuum cleaners: March, April, August, November
• Wedding registry gift items: June
• Winter items, clothing and accessories: January, March, December
• Windows: March, April, September

Smart shopping tips to save more money

Timing your purchases is just one piece of the puzzle. Use these strategies so you can increase your purchasing power, whenever you shop.

Compare prices before you buy

Don’t assume the first sale you see is the best one. Check prices at multiple retailers, both online and in the store. Price-tracking tools and browser extensions like CamelCamelCamel, Keepa and Honey can show you the item’s price history and alert you when the price drops. Sometimes waiting a few days can help you get a better deal. 

Stack discounts when possible

Look for opportunities to combine discounts with other savings. Many retailers let you use promo codes on items that are on sale. Credit cards often offer cash back on specific categories. Some stores provide additional discounts for email subscribers or loyalty program members. These small percentages can add up fast on big-ticket purchases. 

Consider buying last year’s model

Manufacturers release new models of appliances, electronics, cars and more on predictable schedules. When the latest version hits stores, last year’s model is sold at a significantly lower price to clear out old inventory. Unless you need the newest features, you can save big by choosing the slightly older model.

Don’t feel pressured to buy

Retailers create artificial urgency with countdown timers and “limited time” offers. A genuine deal doesn’t require pressure tactics. If you feel rushed into a purchase, step back and make sure the sale price is actually good. Many “doorbuster” deals happen several times during the year so you may have another opportunity to get a discounted price. 

Buy in the offseason for the deepest discounts

The best time to buy something is usually when no one else wants it. Winter coats cost less in March. Grills go on clearance in September. Air conditioners drop in price at the end of the summer. You can plan ahead and buy discounted items now that you’ll need later.

Make your money work harder for you

Timing your purchases well can help you save a lot of money all year long. When you know the sales patterns retailers follow, you can plan ahead and keep more money in your budget for the things that matter most.

Navy Federal is here to help. Read more of our MakingCents financial education articles to learn tips on managing your budget and saving up money. When you’re ready to make those planned purchases, use one of our credit cards to help put money back in your pocket on every transaction. And, if you’re a cardholder, see what deals and offers you can find when you shop online with our Member Deals program.^{Footnote [2]} We give you lots of ways to make your money go further!