Personal Finance

The best month of the year to buy everything

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Woman with Shopping Bags_Edited
Smart shopping can save you a bunch in the long run.  Flickr / John Fraissinet

Timing is everything.

"There really is a best time to do just about anything and everything, and that's especially true when it comes to buying things," writes Mark Di Vincenzo in his book, "Buy Ketchup in May and Fly at Noon."

If you're looking to cut back on expenses or score some deals, don't just consider where you're shopping — consider when you're shopping.

Using tips from Di Vincenzo, along with time-tested advice from sources like DealNews and Mint, we highlighted the best times to buy just about everything, broken down by month.

Megan Durisin contributed to an earlier version of this post.

JANUARY

winter sunrise
Shutterstock

Bicycles

Biking in copenhagen
Flickr/City Clock Magazine

Bike lanes stay pretty empty in January, making stores roll out the deals on their stock of Schwinns.

New models will start rolling in by the middle of the next month.

Pools and hot tubs

hamptons pool party
Matthew Eisman / Stringer / Getty Images

The winter is the best time to purchase warm-weather luxuries, when prices are the lowest.

Plus, it's smart to give yourself several months to regrow the grass in your yard after it gets torn up during pool installation.

Suits

kid in suit
Chris Jackson/Getty

Since this isn't prime suit-shopping season, you're likely to get a good deal.

If you're looking for something a little less fancy, January's a great time to stock up on most types of clothing.

Take advantage of post-Christmas shopping deals.

A trip to New York City

Empire State Building
John Moore/Getty Images

After the New Year's Eve crowd heads back home and the confetti is cleared from Times Square, hotels and restaurants will be ready to give out deals to lure in customers during the tourism off-season.

Just remember to bring a jacket.

Broadway tickets

Broadway NYC
Andrey Bayda/Shutterstock

February is one of the slow months for the theater world, since tourists don't typically flock to New York in the winter.

Catch the latest five-star show for a discounted fare.

Cameras

Photographer Taking Picture Camera
Flickr / Jiuck

This is the time new models typically hit stores.

That means it's a great time to buy one of last year's models or take advantage of a President's Day markdown on a newer one.

Prom dresses

prom
Bethany Clarke/Getty Images

Most of the year's frilly frocks have made their way into store aisles by now, and retailers are in prime competition to get you to buy your gown from them. 

Video games

computer video games
Adam Ziaja/Shutterstock.com

The majority of new games don't come out until the summer.

That makes the post-Christmas season a great time to grab a new copy of your go-to games.

MARCH

St. Patrick's Day
AP

Perfume

Chanel No. 5 perfume
Flickr/snailsareslimy

Now that Valentine's Day is over, it's easier to find your favorite scent for a steal. 

Grab a flowery fragrance for your mom before Mother's Day gets closer.

Chocolate

Box of Chocolates Up Close
Flickr / Marcus Woelfle

The same post-Valentine's Day logic applies for sweets. 

If your significant other forgot to grab you a box of your favorite chocolates last month, grab one for yourself now at a steep price cut.

Frozen foods

frozen pizza
ais3n/flickr

Didn't know March was National Frozen Foods Month? Neither did we.

But the campaign promises a host of deals and sweepstakes to promote the food in the freezer aisle.

Luggage

bellman luggage cart baggage
Pixabay

Spring break is on the horizon and it's a good time to grab a new carry-on.

Updated luggage styles will be arriving in anticipation of summer travel, so March is the time to buy last year's suitcases.

APRIL

Yellow flowers
REUTERS/Nigel Roddis

Laptops

cool office working laptops couch
Flickr / Dev Bootcamp

There's not much rhyme or reason here.

But other than back-to-school deals that pop up later in the year, Gizmodo found April to be the cheapest time to update your laptop.

Tropical vacation

If you're looking for a tropical trip, mid-April is the end of the tourist season for the Caribbean, so you can save a buck on getting there.

Plus, Di Vincenzo says this month is one of the best times for ocean visibility if you're planning to scuba dive to check out the area's marine life.

He also recommends April as a good time to visit the Galapagos Islands or Cancun.

Flea market items

Flea Market
Flickr / Phil Strahl

Di Vincenzo recommends spring as the best time of year to take advantage of flea markets and thrift stores.

Many are just opening after the winter and are chock full of spring-cleaning wares. 

He also advises going at the end of the day — sellers are more likely to give you a steep markdown so they don't have to haul their goods back home.

Raincoats

raining umbrella
Flickr/Luca Boldrini

April tends to be scattered with rainy days, so stores stock up on wet weather gear.

However, retailers have a small window of time to sell gear, as sunnier days are right around the corner. In order to move their inventory quickly, they'll offer enticing discounts.

Mattresses

woman in bed
Flickr/Mislav Marohnić

Memorial Day mattress sales are not at all uncommon. They can be the best time to stock up on mattresses and box springs.

Refrigerators

melia open fridge
Melia Robinson/Business Insider

The latest fridges arrive in the summer, making May a good time to catch a discounted model.

Athletic apparel

athleta model athleisure running
Athleta

As people start to get out of their winter hibernation routine, stores will start to lure customers in with sales in hope of getting rid of last season's merchandise.

Stock up early so you'll have incentive to work out as soon as the temperatures start to spike.

Barbecue supplies

barbecue hotdogs chicken burgers
Flickr/Jun Seita

Snag barbecue essentials — chips, crackers, ketchup, and relish, to name a few — by late May. You should be able to find markdowns on marinades and dressings as barbecue season heats up.

These supplies tend to last for at least a year, so don't be afraid to buy a lot while they're cheap.

Dishes and home decor

dishes
Flickr/gabludlow

Wedding season is in the air, and you're likely to score a good price on items that often pop up on bridal shower lists.

Cell phones

people on phones
Rich Fury/Invision/AP

Phone companies bank on parents buying cell phones at this time for their recent graduates who are heading off to college.

December is also a good time to buy one, as cell phones tend to be a hot holiday gift.

Textbooks

girl books summer
Francisco Osorio/Flickr

If you know which ones you'll need during your next college semester, don't wait to buy them.

Prices are lowest right after everyone sells them back.

Lingerie

taylor swift victoria secret
REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Typically, lingerie comes at a steep price, but you can score deals in June when Victoria's Secret unveils its semiannual sale. The sale starts with most items 50% off, and after a few days, you'll find things for up to 75% off.

You won't be limited to Victoria's Secret, as many other lingerie stores follow suit during this time.

JULY

fireworks
Shutterstock

Bottled water

bottled water
Brian Smithson/Flickr

Retailers often lower prices on bottled water when it's hottest.

Outdoor picnics and barbecues are common, and many people will buy a case of water before they head to the park. 

Furniture

isa furniture
Taavo Somer

It's a common theme for prices to drop the month before the latest furniture arrives.

August is when stores get their new models, so expect to see deals in July.

Fresh fruit

Food and Wine Aspen strawberries
Business Insider/Aly Weisman

Obviously, fruit is at its best when it's in season — usually that means summertime.

Different varieties are best all year round, but July is the prime time for berries, melons, peaches, plums, and watermelons.

Kayaks

kayaking ocean hawaii
Flickr / Ricardo Mangual

Kayaks aren't space savers. 

Sporting goods shops will discount their stock now so they don't get stuck with a ton of kayaks hogging their displays during the winter months.

Stocks

traders new york stock exchange
REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Di Vincenzo cites August as the stock market's traditionally worst-performing month during the past few decades.

If you listen to "buy low, sell high" proponents, now is the time to put your bets on the table.

Flip-flops

flip flops
Rebecca Schley/flickr

No one is going to buy these in the cooler months.

Stores don't want shelves of sandals in the winter, so they'll give you a deal if you'll buy their stock now.

Backpacks

backpacks
lauren/flickr

Back-to-school season tends to drive the prices on these essentials down instead of up.

If you wait much longer, you may not be able to find one.

Plants and flowers

flower market in cartagena
Jennifer Polland /Business Insider

The prices of flora and fauna start to fall around Labor Day.

Be sure not to wait to get them in the ground.

SEPTEMBER

leaves autumn
Shutterstock

Car lease

ford car dealership salesman
Scott Olson / Getty Images

You're likely to find the best rates of the year in September, since it signals the start of the model year.

Prices will start to climb as fall rolls on. 

Swimsuits

bikini girls picnic park hot summer
REUTERS/Darren Staples

These are bound to be on the clearance rack by the time leaves start to change color.

If you don't buy them now, you'll pay much more when you head on a winter or spring trip.

Wine

wine
Flickr / Patrick Brosset

Grape growers are busiest around this time, meaning winemakers typically are getting ready to put out their best product.

You might find a markdown on your favorite Merlot.

Sunglasses

Young Woman with Hat and Sunglasses
Flickr / Chris JL

These accessories see their biggest price spikes in the summer, but you're bound to need a pair all year round.

Shop now to grab some aviators while the discounts last.

A trip to Hawaii or Beijing

Paia, Hawaii
Flickr/Kanaka Menehune

The majority of tourists have left both of these locations by the middle of fall, and hotels will be likelier to give you a good deal.

Plus, the weather should still be pleasant enough to enjoy the outdoors.

Jeans

jeans
Getty Images

Look for jeans sales well after the back-to-school season ends.

Once demand tapers, retailers discount their supplies.

Camping gear

hiking
Hiking to Choquequirao, Peru. Flickr/Rick McCharles

Fall is a good time to restock on outdoor essentials, as people start to spend more time indoors than outside.

Thanksgiving is also a good time to purchase new tents and sleeping bags.

Bushes, trees, and bulbs

descanso gardens
Flickr/Tim McGarry

You should have no problem finding something to spruce up your yard this late in the year.

And if you plant bulbs now, you'll have one less thing to worry about in the spring.

NOVEMBER

thanksgiving
Shutterstock

Halloween candy

Candy Corn
History Channel

If you didn't get your sugar fix in October, jump start holiday season with discounted Halloween candy throughout November.

Your options may be limited, but the price tag is hard to beat.

Cookware

Home Cooking
Laura D'Alessandro

Thanksgiving always involves time in the kitchen, and cooking supply stores will give you a good price to buy your pots and pans from them. 

Wedding dresses

IMG_3704.PNG
Nikki Reich

Bridal shops buy more dresses ahead of the holiday season engagement frenzy.

But if you start looking around Thanksgiving, you can beat the rush and find a more affordable gown.

Electronics

black-friday-best-buy
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The hype that Best Buy gets for its Black Friday discounts isn't unjustified.

Stores often give TVs and electronics huge price slashes to lure in Christmas shoppers.

DECEMBER

people ice skating in central park new york winter
Shutterstock

Apartment lease

nyc apartments
NYC apartments Flickr/echiner1

People don't like to move when there's two feet of snow on the ground, driving prices on new leases down.

Celebrate the new year in a new abode.

Boats

fishing boats in Limassol marina cyprus
Shutterstock.com / Andriy Markov

Welcome to winter boat show season.

Grab your next pontoon or speedboat now before summer sets in.

NFL tickets

cam newton
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

A good chunk of the teams will have poor records by now, and the drop in the demand could help you score cheap seats.

Premium tickets to Europe

eiffel tower, paris
REUTERS/Jacky Naegelen

Business travelers usually take up the bulk of these airlines tickets on flights overseas.

But during the holiday, more of them are staying home, leaving cheaper seats for everyone else.

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elkins
Kathleen Elkins
Kathleen is an investing correspondent at Business Insider and the author of the Small Business Insider newsletter.She's been writing about personal finance for BI and other publications, including CNBC, since 2015. Her coverage includes the Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement, side hustles, and small businesses. She also enjoys writing personal narratives about her own experiences building businesses and navigating the world of money.Elkins graduated from Williams College in 2014 and resides in Los Angeles. Outside work, she trains for marathons and triathlons in the Santa Monica Mountains.Follow her on LinkedIn.Popular articles: