Best Times of Year for the Best Deals

Everyone knows that Black Friday is America’s time to shop, but with a persistent global pandemic and the resulting social distancing restrictions, those Black Friday lines could be exponentially longer than in years past. 

Fortunately, the majority of stores have moved their sales online to accommodate our current environment, and even better yet, it turns out Thanksgiving sales aren’t always the best time to buy certain big-ticket items. Believe it or not, there are 364 other days in the year, and some of them offer even bigger discounts.

Start of the Year Sales

January can bring significant savings when it comes to health and wellness. The start of the new year is the best time to shop for gym memberships, fitness equipment and exercise programs. Anyone hoping to find a fitter version of themselves in the coming year might want to wait until January to make any big purchases (or life changes).

A fresh year also offers deep discounts on bedding and bath essentials to go along with that fresh “new you.” Annual white sales at leading department and home goods stores put sheets, bedding sets and towels at all-time lows, helping consumers spruce up their homes with less buyers’ remorse.

Holiday Weekend Deals

Those beloved three-day weekends aren’t just for sleeping in. They also offer stellar savings opportunities on some very large purchases. Both Memorial and Labor Day sales tend to offer the largest discounts available all year on furniture, mattresses and appliances. Alongside already discounted pricing, stores often boast “No Sales Tax” or “0% Interest” promotions on anything from couches to dining sets to new washer and dryers.

Memorial and Labor Day are known for substantial savings when shopping for a vehicle, as well. Dealerships run some of the best deals of the year over these three to four-day events, so anyone who can wait to car shop would be behooved to do it then.

End of Summer Savings

Back-to-school sales abound during late August and early September. Deals can be found on school supplies and clothing, while computers, printers, and ink are advertised at lower prices, as well. Be on the lookout for dorm-room discounts, too, as twin sheet sets, desks, lamps, mini fridges and fans are known to run at lower price points.

The end of summer is also a great time to pick up outdoor items including grills, hammocks, and patio furniture as retail locations need to move product to make room for seasonal displays. Keep your eye on the ads, though, because these sales get better as the cold weather progresses. The savings found in early to late October are often much more impressive than those posted at the beginning of September.

Thanksgiving Discounts

Black Friday is big for deals in general, but when it comes to electronics, anyone in the market for a new television or gaming system would be smart to wait for Turkey Day. Bluetooth speakers, fancy headphones, and even home security systems are subject to huge markdowns during the month of November. Movies and music can also be found at next-to-nothing prices for those who haven’t converted to streaming services and still enjoy popping in an old-school CD or DVD.

Additionally, November is a great time to stock up on other household items, and garage essentials are no exception. Tools typically go on super sale as do work benches and more expensive products like generators. Don’t stop at the garage, though. Your pantry could benefit from the cost-savings offered this time of year, too. Canned goods such as pumpkin, green beans and corn tend to hit rock bottom pricing around the holidays along with certain spices and baking necessities. Stock up while the getting is good because most of these clearance items have a lengthy shelf-life.

Year-End Close-Outs

While Black Friday can bring some of the largest sales for electronics, comparable deals can still be found almost up to Christmas, so if you happen to miss the infamous Friday, don’t worry. There are plenty of days left to shop around for a bargain television or pair of headphones.

As Christmas gets closer, the savings on toys and games tends to grow as Santa starts preparing his sleigh full of goodies. For shoppers with little ones, December holds the best bargains on the year’s most popular items for kids. Whatever latest and greatest must-haves sit at the top of their lists, it is likely that the final month of the year will offer the very best pricing on those under-the-tree dreams.

If 2020 has you in a cold sweat wondering if you will miss the best deals of the year due to shut downs and social distancing, put those worries to rest. There is an entire calendar of savings to be had if you just know how to plan and where to look.