The Best Time to Buy… Anything | How to Shop Based on Annual Sales Cycles

Want to know the best time to buy furniture? How about the best time to buy electronics? We have the scoop on the best times to shop annual sales cycles!

Shop smarter and buy at the right time. ⏰

Have you ever paid full price on a household good only to see that very same item on sale the next week? We’ve been there too. 😩 Luckily, there’s a way to avoid that aggravating situation. By knowing the best times to shop annual sales cycles, you can shop with confidence no matter what your next purchase is.

Want to know the best time to buy a car, a mattress, or even when to buy a house? We know the best time to shop sales. If you want to purchase goods at a low price, hit the stores according to our monthly shopping guide!

Here are the best items to buy each month…

JANUARY:

January is National Oatmeal Month and you can expect major brands like Quaker to be offering sales. Keep an eye out for prices to drop! If you’re a fan of this hearty grain, January is the month to stock up.

It’s also a smart time to shop for any football party plans you have coming up. 🏈 The big game usually falls during the first week of February or the last week of January. As the month comes to a close, you’ll spot deals on soda, chips, dips, cheeses, chicken, snack foods, and team apparel.

January also plays host to White Sales, which refers to bedding and linens getting deeply discounted for a new year home refresh.

FEBRUARY:

There are a lot of offers to grab come February. It’s the best time to buy chocolates, candy, flowers, candles, and other Valentine’s Day essentials. If you’re a sweet tooth, grab those gourmet chocolates while they’re priced to sell! 🍫💘

In addition to being the month of love, February is National Canned Food Month and National Hot Breakfast Month. Savvy shoppers can score huge discounts on items like canned vegetables, tuna, pie fillings, soups, breakfast meats, frozen hash browns, and maple syrup.

And that’s not all! If you’re a fan of Asian cuisine, you’re in luck! The Chinese New Year starts in February and you can score major deals on Asian foods and condiments. YUM! 🍚🥢

MARCH:

Calling all foodies! Hit the freezer aisle of the grocery store this March. It’s National Frozen Food Month and many grocers offer deep discounts on your favorite freezer items like frozen meals, pizza, veggies, juice concentrates, ice cream, and more! 🍦

If food deals are what you’re after, there are a few special dates in March you need to know about! March 7th is National Cereal Day and the perfect time to snag a hot sale on your favorite breakfast cereal. For deals on dessert and pizza, look for discounts and freebies on March 14th which is International Pi Day. 🍕🍰 Meanwhile, those with a hankering for a salty treat can score a low price on National Potato Chip Day on March 14th and National Chip and Dip Day on March 23rd.

APRIL:

Here comes Peter Cottontail, and with him, sales on eggs and Easter supplies! Once the holiday is over, stock up for next year’s celebration. You’ll score clearance prices on Easter items like baskets, egg-dying kits, and decorations.

For the environmentally conscious, this is the time to buy sustainable products! In honor of Earth Day, you’ll see sales on items like organic food, natural cleaning products, reusable bags, and water bottles.

April is also when Tax Day occurs. Submitting your paperwork may not be fun, but several restaurants offer freebies and deals to make the day a little easier!

MAY:

With so many holidays, May is an exciting time to shop! Thanks to Cinco de Mayo, you’ll find great prices on piñatas, colorful decorations, and Mexican cuisine. As Mother’s Day approaches, look for restaurant freebies and shopping deals on flowers, chocolates, and gift sets for mom.

Come Memorial Day, stock up on barbeque supplies, paper plates, and foods like hot dogs, ketchup, buns, and burgers. It’s also a wise time to scoop up early deals on outdoor items and gardening supplies.

JUNE:

Smart shoppers know June is the time to stock the gift closet! In June, both Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works host their semi-annual sales and you can snag their coveted products for dirt cheap! 🙌🤑

It’s also the time to shop for Dad! When buying a gift for Father’s Day, scout for discounted items like tools, tech gadgets, ties, and briefcases. Also, don’t miss out on Father’s Day restaurant offers including free food, sweet treats, photo prints, and more!

June is also National Dairy Month. Wait for the prices to dip and stock up on products like milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, and whipping cream. 🧀

JULY:

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! 🎵🍦 July is National Ice Cream Month and that means you can get a sweet treat for cheap! Look for sales on frozen treats, cones, toppings, and deals at your local ice cream shop. 😋

If you need a nap after your ice cream snack, July is also one of the best times to buy a mattress!

AUGUST:

With the hot season coming to a close, summer items will be majorly discounted. Expect to see rock-bottom prices on summer essentials. This is the best time to buy sunscreen, insect repellent, gardening supplies, pool toys, and more.

August is also the time for back-to-school sales. Take advantage of deals on school supplies and if your state has them, make sure to shop during tax-free weekends. ✏📓🎨

SEPTEMBER:

Labor Day sales are the prime time to pick up summer items for clearance prices. Grills, lawnmowers, and outdoor patio furniture will all be on sale. Are these items on your wishlist? Wait until summer is over to buy and you’ll be rewarded with a low price. 💲

September is also the best time to buy plane tickets! When the summer vacation months are over, airlines tend to drop their prices in order to increase sales. If you want to satisfy your wanderlust AND save some money, buy your airfare in September. ✈

OCTOBER:

With Halloween hitting the shelves, October is a good time to find candy, pumpkins, and spooky decorations on sale (but for clearance prices, shop in November).

Thanks to National Taco Day on October 4th, many restaurants and stores have discounts and freebies for you to enjoy! Taco-bout a good time! 🌮 Plus, October is also National Seafood Month, which means it’s the best time to buy shrimp, salmon, clams, oysters, and tuna.🦞🐟

NOVEMBER:

Halloween lovers will be bewitched by November prices! This is when after-Halloween clearance items become available for up to 90% off! Spoil yourself by scooping up all the spooky merchandise that’s on sale. 👻

November is also a time to honor our armed forces. Veterans Day is November 11th, 2023, and we anticipate tons of stores and restaurants will offer our veterans special discounts. See our list of deals and freebies!

And don’t forget about Black Friday and Cyber Monday! It’s the best time to buy electronics like a television among other deep discounts and doorbuster sales, such as tech gadgets, toys, clothing, and more!  📺🎮🧸

DECEMBER:

In December, the magic of the holidays is in full effect! You’ll be amazed at the prices you’ll see. It’s the best time to stock up on the supplies you need for holiday baking and Christmas dinner! Common holiday foods like eggnog, baking supplies, potatoes, deli platters, gravy mixes, bake-and-serve rolls, frozen pies, meat, and cranberry sauce are usually on sale.

After Christmas is over, capitalize on the after-Christmas clearance events. You can stock your gift closet for next year and pick up some cute decorations too! Check out our after-Christmas clearance tips for shopping the sales.

December is also one of the best times to buy a car. Older models will be discounted as the dealership prepares for the next year’s inventory. If you can be patient and wait until the end of the year, you might just score a new ride at an affordable price. 🚗

Need a better budget for the new year? Here are some of our best budgeting tips.