Best Things to Buy Every Month

A new year offers a perfect chance to take control of your personal finances and build a roadmap for your upcoming purchases.

Draft a list of the major items you intend to buy this year and utilize this guide to track popular sales cycles, helping you time your shopping to maximize your savings.

Retailer sale forecasts are derived from the historical timing of past promotional events.

Following the holiday season, the first month of the year provides a fresh start for shoppers. These items are typically discounted in January:

Bedding and linens. Department stores host their traditional “white sales” in January, offering significant price cuts on towels and sheets. You may also find deals on clothing and various home essentials.

Fitness equipment. Retailers capitalize on New Year’s resolutions by offering competitive pricing. Expect a wide range of discounts on workout apparel and gear at sporting goods stores. (Question for you: Will you use the discounted treadmill you buy? It’ll always be cheaper to walk around the block.)

TVs and electronics. In the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, retailers frequently lower prices on televisions and other home theater components.

Mark your calendar: Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Jan. 19.

Retailer sales to watch for in January: Macy’s semi-annual sale.

February is often a better time to invest in major purchases for yourself than to hunt for gifts for your valentine. Options include:

TVs. Television discounts often carry over from January into February as the Super Bowl approaches. Aside from Black Friday, this period is one of the most advantageous times to purchase a new TV.

Winter apparel. As the cold season draws to a close, retailers aim to clear out their inventory of warm clothing and winter sports equipment that is no longer in high demand.

Home goods. Look for retailers to offer home-related sales during Presidents Day and the weekend leading up to the holiday.

Leftover chocolate. Savvy shoppers celebrate Valentine’s Day after the fact to save money. Pick up heart-shaped boxes of candy on Feb. 15, when stores discount their remaining holiday stock.

Mark your calendar: Super Bowl Sunday is Feb. 8, Valentine’s Day is Feb. 14 and Presidents Day is Feb. 16.

March is surprisingly strong for sales. Keep an eye out for discounts on these <a href="https://shoppixy.com/reddit-reviews-launches-with-ai-summaries-of-10000-products/” title=”Reddit Reviews launches with AI summaries of 10,000 products”>products:

Tax software. As the April 15 deadline approaches, tax software prices tend to rise. Retailers frequently offer promotions earlier in the season to encourage early filing.

Beauty products: Ulta’s sale may provide a great opportunity to restock your supply of skincare, makeup, and hair products this month.

Home and garden at hardware stores: Both Lowe’s and Home Depot launch their spring promotions this month. Look for bargains on items that help with outdoor projects, such as patio furniture, grills, paint, and power equipment.

St. Patrick’s Day essentials. Around the holiday, department stores and online retailers typically discount green apparel, jewelry, and party supplies.

Vacuum cleaners: Some retailers — keep an eye out for an Amazon spring sale — will be ready to reward early spring cleaners with a deal on a Shark, Dyson, or other vacuum brand.

Mark your calendar: St. Patrick’s Day is March 17. Spring begins March 20.

Retailer sales to watch for in March: 21 Days of Beauty at Ulta Beauty; Lowe’s annual Springfest event; Amazon’s Big Spring Sale (it was March 25-31 in 2025).

April brings genuine spring savings and discounts, including on:

Vacuums. April is the peak month for cleaning, which leads to more vacuum promotions. Check for price drops at retail stores and on the websites of manufacturers.

Tax-themed items. Restaurants and retailers often try to ease the stress of Tax Day by offering freebies or discounts on services like paper shredding. Watch for these deals around mid-April.

Mulch: It is time to spruce up your garden beds. Home improvement centers usually feature competitive specials on bags of mulch throughout April.

Sustainable items. In honor of Earth Day, look for sales on products designed to reduce waste, such as responsiblyear you start composting?

Mark your calendar: Easter Sunday is April 5 and Tax Day is April 15.

Retailer sales to watch out for in April: Home Depot’s Spring Black Friday sale (early April); Wayfair’s Way Day (probably late in the month).

April discounts lead into more opportunities in May. Here is a look at some items to consider buying this month:

Spring apparel. By May, retailers are eager to discount spring clothing that has been sitting on the sales floor for a month or two.

Summer outdoor adventure gear: This is the month for REI’s premier sale of the year, making it an ideal time to prepare for your next hiking, camping, cycling, or running trip.

Furniture. Three of the most significant shopping periods are Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday. Since Memorial Day falls in May, look for home decor and furniture sales at major retailers.

Small kitchen appliances. Use May’s discounts as a chance to purchase small kitchen gadgets, such as blenders and coffee makers. These items are usually featured in Memorial Day sales and make excellent gifts for summer weddings.

Mark your calendar: Mother’s Day is May 10 and Memorial Day is May 25.

Retailer sales to watch out for in May: The REI Anniversary Sale (happens every May).

June offers a variety of deals. Smart purchases include:

Lingerie and women’s clothing. June is when stores like Victoria’s Secret typically host their semiannual sale. This event also usually takes place in December.

Other semiannual sales. The middle of the year is known for major sales at many retailers. In previous years, we have seen stores like Brooks Brothers and Bath & Body Works hold semiannual events in June.

Gym memberships. Consider signing up for a gym membership during the summer, and be sure to negotiate for the best rate. Fitness centers may be more motivated to sign up new members when people are busy spending time outdoors.

Tools and other dad gifts. For Father’s Day, many retailers offer discounts on outdoor gear and power tools, as well as men’s apparel. For example, Solo Stove has discounted its portable fire pits around this time in the past.

Personal electronics on Prime Day. Amazon Prime Day, typically a July event, will occur in June this year. It functions as a summer version of Black Friday, offering hot deals on gadgets, electronics, and a wide array of other goods. This event also prompts other retailers to launch competing sales.

Mark your calendar: Father’s Day is June 21.

Retailer sales to watch out for in June: Victoria’s Secret Semi-Annual Sale; the Zara summer sale; Amazon Prime Day; Target Circle Week

In July, prices drop significantly. Consider buying these:

Summer apparel. The weather is still warm, but demand for summer clothing begins to wane. Buy flip-flops, tanks, and shorts while stores are offering incentives. Be sure to stick to items that are on sale.

July Fourth items. In the days leading up to Independence Day, there is usually a surplus of sales on red, white, and blue merchandise, as well as backyard and barbecue items, furniture, jewelry, and sporting goods.

School supplies. Kids may not want to think about the end of summer yet, but retailers will begin discounting school supplies. If you have your supply lists ready, shopping for back-to-school items early can help you avoid the August rush.

Mark your calendar: Independence Day is July 4.

Close out the season by purchasing summer products. Look for end-of-season clearance sales in August on:

More back-to-school stuff. Now is the time to find low-cost items like pencils and notebooks, as well as pricier gear like laptops and calculators. Generally, the closer you shop to the start of the school year, the better your chances of finding a low price, though the selection may be more limited.

Backyard products. Finish the summer with a bargain on seasonal outdoor equipment, such as grills and lawn mowers.

Swimsuits. There may not be many swimming days left by August, but that is exactly why swimsuit clearance sales reach their peak. Purchase swimsuits now to prepare for next year.

Tax-free shopping. Many states provide a tax-free weekend to assist with the purchase of clothes, school supplies, computers, and other necessities. If your state participates, verify the dates and have your shopping list ready.

Mark your calendar: For many school districts, the first day of school is in August.

With deals ranging from pool toys to mattresses, September is a surprisingly good month for shopping. Find reasonable prices on these:

Mattresses. Year after year, September is a prime time for mattress sales. Expect promotions from mattress centers and department stores, typically as part of Labor Day events.

iPhones. Apple often announces new iPhones and other hardware in September. This unveiling is usually followed by price drops on older models and reductions on refurbished units.

Appliances. Expect a series of blowout sales in the week leading up to Labor Day, including discounts on both large and small appliances.

Mark your calendar: Labor Day is Sept. 7.

Retailers stay active in October, offering plenty of deals on these product categories:

Outdoor furniture. Expect discounts on outdoor living products and patio furniture as the weather begins to cool.

Jeans. Fall inventory hits stores in August and September, but you will pay full price unless you wait a few weeks. October is a great time to buy a new pair of jeans.

Candy. The closer you get to Halloween, the better your odds of snagging a discounted bag of candy for trick-or-treaters.

Holiday gifts. Amazon hosts Big Deal Days in October. It functions as a second Prime Day that triggers similar sales at retailers like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy, with deals that rival Cyber Monday and Black Friday. These events have made early October a premier time to buy gifts or items for yourself.

Mark your calendar: Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day is Oct. 12 and Halloween is Oct. 31.

Retailer sales to watch out for in October: Amazon Prime Big Deal Days.

November is the true month for Black Friday sales, meaning some of the most popular tech products drop to their lowest prices. You can expect deals on almost everything, with discounts increasing throughout the month. Here are some specific categories to watch:

Electronics. The best Black Friday deals are likely to be on laptops, tablets, and TVs. Look for discounts on activity trackers, smart speakers, and headphones as well.

Clothing. November is the busiest month for clothing catalogs. Check the brands you enjoy for discounts, and shop online at stores like American Eagle, Land’s End, and Gap for surprise coupon codes.

Small kitchen appliances. Cyber Monday is Nov. 30, and it is typically a great time to purchase kitchen gadgets, according to NerdWallet’s price-tracking research. Coffee machines, blenders, stand mixers, and air fryers could reach their lowest prices on Cyber Monday.

Streaming subscriptions: As if you need another password to remember, November has become a great time to sign up for a new streaming service. Popular content providers like Paramount+ and Hulu have offered solid subscription discounts during extended Black Friday sales in the past.

Mark your calendar: Thanksgiving is Nov. 26, Black Friday is Nov. 27 and Cyber Monday is Nov. 30.

The end of the year is just the start of discounts in certain product categories. Look for sale prices on these items in December:

Electronics. Those Black Friday electronics deals from late November often spill over into the new month.

Toys. Toys are popular holiday gifts, and stores generally lower prices as the season concludes and inventory remains. Shop around Super Saturday — the last Saturday before Christmas — for potential discounts.

Christmas decorations. Starting the day after Christmas, shop sales for deep discounts — often 50% or more — on ornaments, wrapping paper, artificial trees, decorations, and similar seasonal items.

Sporting goods: Look for savings on the gear athletes need: bats, balls, cleats, clubs, and more. Check Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target, and Amazon, or visit brand websites directly for deals.

Mark your calendar: Hanukkah is Dec. 4-12 and Christmas is Dec. 25.