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

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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!

Target shopping cart with black friday sales

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…


Quaker Instant Oatmeal 40 pack

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.

Other things to buy in January:

  • Bedding
  • Christmas decorations and wrapping paper
  • Diet aids and scales
  • Fitness equipment and gym memberships
  • Flooring
  • Furniture
  • Home organization tools
  • Humidifiers
  • Towels
  • Major appliances
  • New Year’s party supplies
  • Paint
  • Seasonal produce

valentines day candy in target cart - best times to buy

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! 🍚🥢

Other things to buy in February:

  • Jewelry
  • Engagement rings
  • Fragrance
  • Heart-healthy foods and medicine
  • Mattresses
  • New furniture
  • Seasonal produce
  • Space heaters
  • Winter clothing and necessities
  • Zoo, aquarium, and museum memberships

Frozen Pizza Taste Test

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.

Other things to buy in March:

  • Cleaning supplies
  • Digital cameras
  • Jewelry
  • Home improvement items
  • Houses
  • HVAC equipment
  • Hygiene products
  • Luggage
  • Seasonal produce
  • Snow blowers
  • St. Patrick’s Day party supplies and food
  • Tax software
  • Winter clothing and necessities

easter clearance - best times to buy - best times to shop according to annual sales cycles

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!

Other things to buy in April:


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.

Other things to buy in May:

  • Allergy medicine
  • Baby Supplies
  • Bathing suits
  • Blenders
  • Charcoal
  • Furniture
  • Interior and exterior paint
  • Insect repellent
  • Mattresses & air mattresses
  • Party supplies
  • Pet supplies
  • Seasonal produce
  • Spring clothing
  • Refrigerators
  • Roofing
  • Salad dressing
  • Small kitchen appliances
  • Star Wars merchandise (May 4th)
  • Sunscreen
  • Vehicles

holding a half gallon of Simple Truth Organic milk - best times to buy milk - best times to shop annual sales cycles

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. 🧀

Other things to buy in June:

  • Appliances
  • Athletic apparel
  • Cordless drills and tools
  • CVS products
  • Dishwashers
  • Gym memberships
  • Lingerie
  • Pain relief medicine
  • PC games
  • Pressure washers
  • Seasonal produce
  • Spring clothes
  • Strollers
  • Sunscreen
  • Tea products

eating from a pint of ice 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!

Other things to buy in July:

Collin holding crayons as part of back to school deals

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. ✏📓🎨

Other things to buy in August:

  • Breakfast items
  • Camping gear
  • Dehumidifiers and air conditioners
  • Dorm decorations
  • Engagement rings
  • Lawn mowers & equipment
  • Luggage
  • Lunch supplies & snacks
  • Grills
  • Home security
  • Household items & cleaning supplies
  • Office supplies
  • Outdoor patio furniture
  • Seasonal produce
  • Tax-free items

various types of outdoor grills lined up outside on pavement in front of home depot store- best time to shop annual sales cycles

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. ✈

Other things to buy in September:

  • Air conditioners
  • Apple products
  • Appliances
  • Bathing suits
  • Bicycles
  • Coffee
  • Computers
  • Diabetes awareness items
  • Hot tubs
  • Hotel rooms
  • Mattresses
  • Plants
  • Printers
  • Seasonal produce
  • School supplies
  • Snow blowers
  • Summer clothes
  • Washers & dryers

halloween decor from at home store - best times to shop annual sales cycles

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.🦞🐟

Other things to buy in October:

  • Amazon Prime Day deals (potentially)
  • Breast Cancer Awareness merch
  • Columbus Day sales
  • Cooktops
  • Denim
  • Houses
  • Jeans
  • Large appliances
  • Mattresses
  • Outdoor items
  • RVs
  • Seasonal produce
  • Summer clothing clearance
  • Snow tires
  • Thermostats
  • Vacations
  • Vehicles
  • Wedding supplies

Veterans Day sale sign in Dollar Tree window

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!  📺🎮🧸

Other things to buy in November:

  • Baby products
  • Baking supplies & bakeware
  • Canned foods and broths
  • Cookware
  • Food storage containers
  • Holiday food
  • Holiday gifts
  • Home services
  • Pajamas and slippers
  • Routers
  • Seasonal produce
  • Soundbars
  • Speakers
  • Streaming devices
  • Televisions
  • Tech items
  • Vacuums
  • Vehicles

Homemade Christmas Crack closeup

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. 🚗

Other things to buy in December:

  • Air Fryers
  • Bath & Body Works candles
  • Batteries
  • Carpet cleaners
  • Champagne
  • Computers
  • Flooring
  • Gift cards
  • Golf clubs
  • Headphones
  • Home security
  • Houses
  • Paint
  • Photographs and photo albums
  • Seasonal produce
  • Snow blowers
  • Tech gadgets and small electronics
  • Televisions
  • Tools
  • Toys
  • Wedding dresses

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


About the writer:

Kara is a writer and photographer from the Midwest. Her creative work has appeared in various publications over the past decade. With a background in finance, she loves to be money-savvy.


Join The Discussion

Comments 5

  1. Stacey

    Does this list exist as a downloadable PDF? It would be helpful and I know that is what this amazing team is all about. I would like to keep it on hand for a reference refresher starting each month.

    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      Hey Stacey! This can be printed or you can add it to your HipList! 🤗💞

  2. Sue

    Appliances are listed in several months. How do you know which month is best?

    • Jessica (Hip Sidekick)

      Hey Sue! It seems that it would depend on if you’re looking for major or small appliances. We’ve noticed that there are sales on appliances during these months – particularly around the holiday of that month. Hoping this might be helpful! 💕

  3. Sue

    Major appliance savings is what I was wondering about. Not sure how much longer my fridge will hold out and if it’s worth it to bite the bullet on a package if my other appliances are nearing their life span.

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