Your Calendar Guide To Smart Shopping Year-Round — Learn More

Have you ever wondered if you should wait to make a purchase due to fear of a potential sale or price drop later on? It’s more than likely that you’ve pondered if a purchase was made at the right time or if you could have found a cheaper price elsewhere. This is a common and normal problem amongst shoppers everywhere for good reason. Just as you would wait until a fruit or vegetable is in season to buy, the same method of thought can be applied to purchases outside of the grocery store, although these shopping seasons are less known. So, if you’ve ever found yourself debating whether or not it’s a good time to finally proceed with check out, you’ve come to the right place.

Here’s What You Should Buy According To Each Month

It’s been said that shopping is a sport — and with supply chain issues and increasing prices these days, it's become an extreme sport. Spending wisely means shopping with purpose, and in order to do just that, it helps to understand what time of the year is best for specific purchases. This is precisely the information retailers don’t want you to know about — which means it’s Squeaky Deals’ favorite type of industry insider tips to share. Say goodbye to overspending on seasonal items and hello to staying one step ahead of the sales.

What To Buy In January

• Bedding, Linens, Workout Equipment, Christmas Decor

Ah, January, the signal of a new year and fresh start, and for many, the beginning of New Year’s Resolutions. Retailers are prepared to help you hit your goals, making January a great time to purchase fitness and exercise equipment. Occasionally, retailers will mark down workout apparel too. Regardless of what or if you have any resolutions set, take advantage of these markdowns, as they are unlikely to be repeated until the following year.

January is also a prime time to stock up on linens, bedding and furniture. Traditionally, retailers have participated in white linen sales which can feature steep discounts on high quality, expensive bedding and linens. Stock up on these items that carry a higher price tag and you’ll thank yourself later. While you're browsing home section sales, don’t forget to look for deals on Christmas decor, ornaments and wrapping paper.

What To Buy In February

• Furniture, Televisions, Mattresses, Perfume, Jewelry

For many retailers, February is the first shot at clearing out inventory from the previous year — specifically winter associated items. The end of February marks the end of cold weather and ushers in spring and summer ready products, meaning retailers are eager to get rid of winter items to make room for new styles. Although new spring lines are tempting, this is the perfect time to save on expensive fall and winter necessities like coats, sweaters and boots.

February is also the month of Valentine’s Day, President’s Day and the Super Bowl. With so many events occurring this month, you’ll want to take advantage of Valentine’s Day sales on popular gifts like jewelry and perfume, President’s Day deals on mattresses and furniture, as well as tech sales on TVs and projectors to watch the big game.

What To Buy In March

• Tax Prep Items

Spring has finally sprung once March rolls around, and while there are not any major sale-associated holidays like President’s Day, you can still find great deals on items that are otherwise not marked down much. Additionally, you can find even deeper markdowns on winter clothing and accessories as retailers make their final push to clear inventory before an overhaul of summer merchandise arrives. March is also a time to save on tax prep software like TurboTax and H&R Block, which often run specials on services prior to tax month, April.

What To Buy In April

• Easter Decor, Vacuums, Cleaning Supplies, Storage and Organization Items

The Easter holiday and all things springtime related rule the sales for the month of April. The closer Easter weekend gets, the more markdowns you’ll find on holiday decor and clothing. If you’ve thought about clearing out the back of your closet or reorganizing throughout your home, this is the time to watch for sales on items related to spring cleaning, as cleaning supplies, vacuums and storage options are frequently marked down items during April.

What To Buy In May

• Furniture, Mattresses, Appliances, Easter Decor, Clothing, Beauty

May kicks off the warm summer months for most, and sales reflect the upcoming season. Memorial Day weekend takes place in May and with that comes some of the best deals of the year. Memorial Day sales feature hefty discounts on furniture and appliances, making it the best time to make big purchases like washer and dryer sets, refrigerators and small kitchen appliances. Following the pattern of markdowns from previous months, you can also find great deals on Easter decor and spring clothing as retailers transition to summer collections. Last but certainly not least are Mother’s Day sales, which tend to include markdowns on beauty, clothing and jewelry.

What To Buy In June

• Semi-Annual Sales, Grilling Sets and Accessories, Men’s Clothing, Cologne

It’s June and you can hardly believe half the year has already passed — but who has time to reflect on colder months when summer vacation is finally here? June is a popular shopping month for brand devotees who follow famous semi-annual sales like Bath and Body Works or Victoria’s Secret. Use this time to stock up on your favorite candles, soaps and lotions, as well as clothing items like lingerie, sleepwear and workout attire. For those not waiting around for semi-annual sales, there’s still savings for you. June is the month of Father’s Day and frequent sales on outdoor goods and grilling items are aplenty — just what you need to get ready for backyard bbqs all summer long.

What To Buy In July

• Amazon Prime Days, July 4th Home Decor, Clothing, Accessories

In the days before Amazon, there was not much to look forward to in the month of July. While you can certainly find better deals on spring and summer clothing, shoes and accessories than at the start of the season, few sales compare to Amazon Prime Days. Amazon Prime Days have given Black Friday sale prices a run for their money, and while Prime Days are typically kept secret until right before, savvy shoppers have predicted a mid to late July timeframe. Amazon Prime Days feature exclusive daily deals as well as flash deals that cover all of Amazon’s massive inventory of brands and products. Outside of Amazon Prime Days, July 4th is the next major holiday that will feature related sales. Find your patriotic attire, decor and everything you need for a summertime celebration.

What To Buy In August

• School Supplies, School Uniforms, Kids Clothing and Shoes, Swimsuits

When August finally rolls around, it’s time to get a little more serious about sale items. For many shoppers during the month of August, this is a crucial time to prepare for the busy months ahead. Back to school sales are key and should not be missed for education professionals and those with little ones. School supplies, uniforms, kids clothing and shoes are all items to keep an eye on for discounts. While it differs by state, August is also a popular month for tax-free weekends, which can double down on savings. Sadly, August also marks the end of summer, but don’t fret — you can cope with summertime sadness with discounted swimwear and summer clothing.

What To Buy In September

• Mattresses, Furniture and Appliances, Apple Products, Clothing

Fall is finally here and the crisp cool shift can be felt in just about every aspect of life — including sales. September is associated with Labor Day, and thus, Labor Day sales. Labor Day sales are very similar to Memorial Day sales and you can expect to find good deals on mattresses, furniture and appliances. If you’re into the latest and greatest in tech, Apple usually announces the latest editions to its line of products, which can not only prompt sales on Apple, but competitors like Samsung and Google products as well. The end of the month is a great time to catch markdowns on clothing items as retailers transition seasonal collections from summer to fall.

What To Buy In October

• Outdoor Furniture, Pool Floats and Games, Candy

Candy, that is all. Jokes aside, candy deals rev up the closer we get to Halloween, which technically is the last day of October, but nonetheless, you can fill trick or treaters’ baskets with goodies for less. Because October is also the unofficial spokesperson (spokes-month?) for fall, retailers do not anticipate many outdoor activities during this time, leaving you the opportunity to get a new patio set, pool floats and games and any other outdoor related goods for way less than just a few weeks prior.

What To Buy In November

• Candy, Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales

Okay, seriously this time, candy. Just like February 15 when Valentine’s Day chocolate prices are slashed in half, the first week of November almost guarantees half-price Halloween candy (actually discounts will vary, of course). You can quite literally act like a kid in a candy store, so no judgement on stocking your shopping cart full of Reese’s and Sour Patch Kids. Now that the most important sale of November has been called out, you can focus your November savings on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Black Friday has (thankfully) drastically changed since the days of storefront camp outs and stampedes of shoppers. However, Black Friday is still viewed as the biggest sale day of the year. Many retailers will mark their entire inventory down, offer doorbusters and feature the seasons most popular gifts in preparation for the December holidays. If you’re not into the idea of shopping Black Friday, sit back, relax and wait for Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday deals are similar to Black Friday deals with the caveat being that they take place exclusively online.

What To Buy In December

• Halloween and Thanksgiving Decor, Clothing

You made it to December — possibly just barely, but nonetheless, the last month of the year is here. December is synonymous with Christmas, which has become synonymous with sales. Many retailers like Walmart and Target have introduced special sale days leading up to December 25 to help last-minute shoppers. These sales may not be as good as Black Friday or Cyber Monday, but they’re still packed with savings. This is also a great time to capitalize on previous months featured holiday goods, like Halloween and Thanksgiving decor.