When to buy what
Most things have a cheap month. Retail calendars, model-year changes and holiday sales line up the same way every year. This is the grid; October is highlighted.
| Category | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Last year's phonesOlder models drop when the new ones launch. | September: Best month | November: Also good | ||||||||||
| TVsBlack Friday, then pre-Super Bowl deals and new-model clearance. | January: Best month | February: Also good | March: Also good | November: Best month | ||||||||
| LaptopsBack-to-school and Black Friday. | July: Also good | August: Best month | November: Best month | |||||||||
| HeadphonesDeepest discounts of the year on Black Friday. | July: Also good | November: Best month | ||||||||||
| Game consolesBundles with games, not usually price cuts. | November: Best month | December: Also good | ||||||||||
| Smart home gearPrime Day and Black Friday. | July: Best month | November: Best month | December: Also good | |||||||||
| AC unitsNobody shops for AC once it cools down. | March: Also good | September: Best month | October: Best month | |||||||||
| Robot vacuumsPrime Day and Black Friday. | March: Also good | July: Best month | November: Best month | |||||||||
| Major appliancesHoliday weekends, and when new models arrive in fall. | January: Also good | May: Also good | September: Best month | November: Best month | ||||||||
| Holiday decorAfter December 25, at 50–75% off. | January: Also good | December: Best month | ||||||||||
| LinensJanuary white sales. | January: Best month | August: Also good | ||||||||||
| FurnitureNew collections arrive in February and August. | January: Best month | February: Also good | July: Best month | |||||||||
| MattressesPresidents' Day and Memorial Day sales. | February: Best month | May: Best month | July: Also good | September: Also good | November: Also good | |||||||
| Space heatersSpring clearance. In fall, buy early before stock thins. | February: Also good | March: Best month | April: Best month | |||||||||
| VacuumsSpring cleaning promotions and Black Friday. | March: Also good | April: Best month | November: Best month | |||||||||
| Wrapping paperHalf off after the 25th. Buy next year's now. | January: Also good | December: Best month | ||||||||||
| ToolsFather's Day. | June: Best month | November: Also good | ||||||||||
| CookwareHoliday sets and January white sales. | January: Also good | July: Also good | November: Best month | |||||||||
| Small appliancesMother's Day and Black Friday. | May: Best month | July: Also good | November: Best month | |||||||||
| GrillsEnd-of-season clearance after Labor Day. | July: Also good | September: Best month | October: Best month | |||||||||
| Patio setsStores clear floor space for holiday stock. | August: Also good | September: Best month | October: Best month | |||||||||
| Lawn mowersLeftover stock goes on sale as the season ends. | July: Also good | September: Best month | October: Best month | |||||||||
| Fitness gearNew Year promotions on weights and trackers. | January: Best month | June: Also good | ||||||||||
| BikesShops clear last year's models before spring. | January: Best month | February: Best month | October: Also good | |||||||||
| Winter sports gearSki shops clear stock as the season closes. | February: Also good | March: Best month | April: Best month | |||||||||
| Gym membershipsSummer is slow season for gyms; ask about waived fees. | January: Also good | June: Best month | ||||||||||
| PoolsEnd-of-summer clearance. | August: Best month | September: Best month | ||||||||||
| JeansFall denim promotions, before holiday pricing. | April: Also good | October: Best month | ||||||||||
| Winter coatsEnd-of-season clearance. | January: Best month | February: Best month | December: Also good | |||||||||
| Spring clothesEaster and early spring promotions. | April: Best month | May: Also good | ||||||||||
| SwimwearLate-summer clearance. | July: Best month | August: Best month | September: Also good | |||||||||
| LuggageBefore spring break. | March: Best month | November: Also good | ||||||||||
| ToysBlack Friday; popular ones sell out by December. | November: Best month | December: Also good | ||||||||||
| School suppliesBack-to-school and state tax-free weekends. | July: Also good | August: Best month |
- Best month
- Also good
- This month