How to save on seasonal items

What are seasonal sales?

A key component to budgeting is understanding sales and the best time to get the lowest prices. While you might be familiar with winter holiday sales in November and December, you can find seasonal sales all year long. Seasonal sales are strategically planned sale periods during which retailers mark down specific items to optimize sales opportunities and reach more customers. Because shoppers respond to external factors like weather, holidays, and the school year, seasonal sales are typically predictable and tend to fall during the same period every year.

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Best months to buy seasonal items

By understanding the various seasonal sales, shoppers can plan for the year ahead and save money by buying items while they’re on sale, instead of during peak season.

January

Almost everything goes on sale in January after the holidays, including cookware, furniture, computers, sports equipment, and more. Specifically keep an eye out for sales on linens and winter wedding merchandise—and, of course, discount holiday decorations.

February

Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day drive sales in February. Expect jewelry, perfume, and candy sales around Valentine’s Day and discounted electronics and bigger ticket items around Presidents Day. Flights may also go on sale during February, as airlines encourage travelers to plan for summer trips early.

March

As the weather gets warmer, retailers clear our cold weather gear and heavy outerwear with big sales. If you can, hold off until March to buy a new winter coat or pair of snow boots.

April

With shoppers eager for summer, t stores promote yardwork supplies and travel-related merchandise like cruise packages with special sales.

May

Mother’s Day and Memorial Day drive the seasonal sales in May. This is the time to get deals on sports equipment, mattresses, and home appliances like washing machines. June is a popular time for new models of appliances to come out, which means you’ll find the best sales on the old stock in April and May.

June

With Father’s Day comes sales on gifts like cologne, fishing gear, and tools. The summer months are also the best time to buy indoor workout equipment like stationary bicycles and treadmills, since many people move their workouts outside in the warmer months and stores need to incentivize consumers.

July

In July, stores clear out their summer inventory and prepare for the next season. That means you’ll find early back-to-school sales on school supplies and fall clothing, as well as sales on living room and dining room furniture.

August

As summer ends, August is a great time to save on seasonal items like bathing suits, camping equipment, garden supplies, patio furniture, and beach towels.

September

September means back-to-school and Labor Day sales—so keep an eye out for the best deals on laptops and electronics. Sales on summer items continue into September, so shoppers can find more deals on summer clothing, garden supplies, and patio furniture.

October

With Halloween falling on the last day of the month, prices on Halloween-related merchandise start high and slowly drop as the holiday gets closer. October is also a great time to find deals on off-season items like air conditioners.

November

November is the month of the big one: Black Friday, which occurs the day after Thanksgiving. Black Friday is the perfect time to save on big-ticket electronics and other gifts before the winter holiday season. The following Monday has grown equally as popular for online sales, earning it the name Cyber Monday.

December

December is high season for shopping but stay savvy and wait until the end of the month to score deals on holiday decorations and markdowns on gifts.

Looking for more budgeting tips and tricks? Check out our guides on how to make a monthly budget, how to budget for variable expenses, and how to get-back-to-school student discounts.