best times to saveshop+

story by | dani parkos fluge

Calling all penny pinchers and bargain seekers! Next time you’re making a shopping list, check it twice and ask yourself if all your items are “I gotta have it now” type of stuff. Wrangle in those urges to impulsively buy and get the biggest bang for your buck when you buy on the best day and time of the month.

january gift cards You wouldn't think there would be a best time to buy gift cards, but there is. Just after the holidays, consider deals on gift card exchange sites like plasticjungle.com or giftcards.com, where people trade in their unwanted cards for cash. carpeting & flooring People like to freshen up their flooring at the end of the year in preparation for company over the holidays, but it isn’t until January rolls around that prices seem to drop. february boats February is boat show season, and manufacturers like to clear out the old models, so you can often get some pretty good deals. march golf clubs New models come out for the summer and stores will start pushing the older models out the door. Grab last year's set cheaper and you'll forget all about the awesome new models. april cookware & kitchen accessories Spring means graduation season is around the corner and even if you're well out of school, take advantage of the grad-based gift sales for kitchen-related needs. tires and auto parts April is National Car Care Month and it’s likely to find buy-three-get-one-free deals on tires, free oil changes, and other car checkups. may mattresses If you have an old, saggy, or lumpy mattress, May is the best time to buy a new one. Retailers try to clear inventory ahead of the new stock and with Memorial Day weekend closing out the month, you are sure to find deep discounts. gym membership Membership sales soar in January as everyone resolves to lose weight, but lag in spring and summer. You’ll find lower fees and waived enrollment fees to lure you to their treadmills.

this & that

June

paint Summer is house painting season, so prices drop. Whether you're repainting your entire house or you just want to spice up a few boring rooms, this is the perfect time to grab your paint colors for cheap.

tools It’s Father's day month, which means all the stereotypical gifts are on sale—the top choice being power tools.

july grills Borrow your neighbor's grill for Independence Day, then grab a great deal after the 4th. august outdoor End of summer always means big seasonal clear out sales. Swing sets, lake and pool toys, swimming gear, and other outdoor items will be calling your name. dehumidifier Apparently people are less interested in sucking the moisture out of their homes in late summer as research shows August is when merchants put dehumidifiers on sale.

September

wine It's harvest time, which means this is the best time to stock up on wine.

new car With new models rollin’ onto car lots in the fall, it’s a great time to check out last year’s models for deals. Shop on a weekday, at the end of the month to get the extra attention of a sales person working to make their monthly quota.

october shrubs & trees In the fall nurseries are trying to clear out trees and shrub inventory – it is also a good time to plant a tree. Autumn is also a good time to buy bulbs, if your store them according to package directions, you will be money ahead come spring time. wedding supplies With winter right around the corner finding a venue and negotiating those services is going to be a lot easier. The deeper into winter you wait, the better it gets.

November

disney world Considering a family vaca but don’t want to break the bank? Get better deals on hotel and airfare later in the fall when temps are cooler.

furnace Wait until contractors aren’t so busy repairing and installing air conditioning and heating systems. You are likely to find them more willing to cut you a deal in spring or late fall.

December

wedding dresses Boutiques are stocked with gowns for Christmas engagements, but it’s a slow sales period.

Weekly

gasoline Fuel up on a weekday, early in the morning or in the evening. Prices are usually changed between 10am and noon.

groceries [supermarket] Shopping on Sunday evenings can save you on items that must be sold by day’s end—produce, etc.

airline tickets For domestic non-holiday travel, look for the lowest fares 21 days from your departure. Fares are updated at 10am, 12:30pm, and 8pm on weekdays. Lowest fares are filed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and occasionally on Saturdays. Wednesday is generally the cheapest day to fly and Sunday most expensive.

entertainment Venues like museums and amusement parks often have discounts during the middle of the week, when they're less crowded – BONUS!

bread Bakeries discount their products by up to 50% after 4pm to avoid tossing out leftovers. Remember that bread is freezable, so stock up on lunch supplies when you see a good sale.

meat Hunt for meat deals first thing in the morning Monday through Friday. Often you will find manager’s specials that must be sold by noon. Buy in bulk and freeze.

If you’re one to make resolutions every New Year, resolve to save money all year round!

sources: consumer reports | free shopping | carpet supersite cut monthly expenses | real simple