A year-long, month by month guide to getting the best deals on everything!
January
-White sales: Largest savings of the year on table linens, bedding and towels
-Vacation packages: Airlines and hotels seek business after the travel peak in December (except during COVID – but there ARE travel deals as travel is starting to pick up again and the hospitality industry is hurting)
-Calendars and planners – these typically are at least 50% off now!
-Gym memberships (for New Year’s Resolutions)
-Fitness equipment, DVDs, weight-loss products, health foods
-Football game watching supplies including burgers, bratwursts, chicken wings, barbecue sauce, pizza, condiments
-TV sales (for the Super Bowl!)
-Valentine’s Day candy and gifts
-Semi-annual sales at Bath & Body Works and Victoria’s Secret
Seasonal produce on sale now:
Beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, citrus fruits, kale, leeks, parsnips, sweet potatoes and turnips!
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – 50% off clothing, shoes and home items at thrift stores like Savers and Unique Thrift Stores
February
-Valentine’s Day candy, flowers, long-stem strawberries (for dipping in chocolate!)
-Fragrances/perfumes
-Furniture – New designs debut in the spring time so furniture stores must make room
-Humidifiers are marked down this month and next
-Electronics – New models of electronic items like TVs, gaming and wearable fitness products (i.e. FitBits) were announced at last month’s annual International Consumer Electronics Show so buy last year’s models at a discount
Seasonal produce on sale now:
Same as January: Beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, citrus fruits, kale, leeks, parsnips, sweet potatoes and turnips!
President’s Day – 50% off clothing, shoes and home items at thrift stores like Savers and Unique Thrift Stores
March
Frozen Foods Month
-Frozen foods: Look for great supermarket sales and coupons in your Sunday paper for Frozen Foods month
-St. Patrick’s Day items like corned beef, cabbage, “green”-colored items including pancake mixes
-Tax software (The April 15th tax deadline is approaching!)
-Winter gear: Coats, skis and boots are being cleared for spring and summer items
Seasonal produce on sale now:
Artichokes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collard greens, kiwi, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, parsnips, pineapples, radishes, rutabagas, spinach, turnips.
April
It’s Springtime! Look for sales on cleaning supplies and vacuums.
Plus it’s National Car Care Month! Look for car care specials at auto parts stores and service centers.
-It’s the best time to shop at thrift stores, as people are spring-cleaning and donating loads of clothes, furniture and home goods
-There are many kids consignment sales this month as families clear out the old and shop for “new” spring and summer items too!
-Rummage Sales begin!
-Digital cameras go on sale as families plan travel over spring break
-Snow Removal Equipment goes on sale
Seasonal produce on sale now:
Artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, pineapples, radishes, rhubarb, spring peas.
May
This month there are special holidays offering discounts…
For example, you can find Star Wars merchandise and deals thanks to Star Wars day on May 4th: “May the Fourth Be With You.”
Mother’s Day means unfortunately higher prices for flowers leading up to the holiday, but at least you can find them everywhere!
National Wine Day is May 25th! Or just snag my Mother’s Day wine deal from FirstLeaf here! (Get 6 bottles of wine shipped for $29.95!)
National Burger Day is May 28th. Look for burger deals!
-Tex-Mex Foods for Cinco de Maya including tacos, avocados, ground beef.
-Summer items like picnic supplies, outdoor furniture and fire pits
-Mattresses: Mattress manufacturers are shipping new models, so retailers want to move lingering inventory
-Cookware to woo wedding shoppers and moms for Mother’s Day
-Athletic Apparel
-Large and small appliances – look especially for deals around Mother’s Day (think Instant Pots for mom!) and Memorial Day (grills!)
Seasonal produce on sale now:
Apricots, artichokes, asparagus, cherries, lettuce, mangoes, okra, pineapples, radishes, rhubarb, spring peas, strawberries, Swiss chard, zucchini.
Memorial Day – 50% off clothing, shoes and home items at thrift stores like Savers and Unique Thrift Stores
June
June is Dairy Month! Look for deals on dairy items.
Also June 4th is National Donut Day! Look for donut freebies and deals.
It’s the best time to buy:
-Dairy foods like cheese
-Grilling and outdoor items like burgers, hot dogs, bratwursts, buns, baked beans, mosquito repellant, sunscreen, first aid items including bandages
-Swimsuits and summer wear
-Workout gear
-Power tools, tech products for grads and dads for Father’s Day
-Wedding gifts: Now is the height of wedding season, so get some dishware now
-Semi-annual sales take place at Bath & Body Works and Victoria’s Secret
Seasonal produce on sale now:
Apricots, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, corn, cucumbers, green beans, kiwi, lettuce, mangoes, peaches, strawberries, Swiss chard, watermelon, zucchini.
July
July 4th is Independence Day and there are many great sales this weekend on everything from food to mattresses.
July 18th is National Ice Cream Day! Look for ice cream deals and freebies.
-Back to school supplies debut (woohoo, right?). Great time to stock up on office supplies.
-Furniture: Great deals as stores make room for new lines
-Month-to-month gym memberships (Gyms are more negotiable now to keep numbers up, which dip in the summer)
Avoid large outdoor items like lawn mowers as they’re in such high demand now (if you can wait).
Seasonal produce on sale now:
Apricots, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, green beans, kiwi, kohlrabi, lettuce, mangoes, okra, peaches, peppers, plums, raspberries, strawberries, summer squash, Swiss chard, tomatoes, watermelon, zucchini.
August
Root Beer Float Day is August 6th. There may be deals online.
Thrift Shop Day is August 17th – watch for thrift store sales.
National Waffle Day is August 24th, so watch for waffle deals at places like Denny’s.
-Swimwear and other end of summer deals like air conditioners, lawn mowers and yard equipment
-Camping gear: Best prices on tents and other outdoor gear now
-Luggage
-Back to school supplies
-Computers
-Fall fashions
-Lunch box foods including peanut butter and jelly, snacks, juice boxes
Seasonal produce on sale now:
Acorn squash, apples, apricots, blueberries, butternut squash, cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, figs, green beans, kiwi, kohlrabi, lettuce, mangoes, okra, peaches, peppers, plums, raspberries, strawberries, summer squash, Swiss chard, tomatoes, watermelon, zucchini.
September
-Summer clearance
-Perennials, shrubs and trees – Greenery at this time of year can’t be beat, according to Consumer Reports
-Bicycles – deals start now and run through Fall
-Halloween candy, decorations, costumes show up in stores
-Baking supplies
-Lawn mowers – prices get trimmed to create space for snowblowers and other winter gear
-Apple products like the iPhone and watches as new models are revealed
-Appliances (like washers, dryers, stoves) as new models are hitting showrooms soon
-Airfare for the winter holidays is cheaper now
-Cars: New models hit the showroom floor so older vehicles are the ones to buy
Seasonal produce on sale now:
Acorn squash, apples, beets, butternut squash, cantaloupe, cauliflower, eggplant, figs, grapes, green beans, lettuce, mangoes, mushrooms, okra, peppers, persimmons, pomegranates, pumpkins, spinach, sweet potatoes, Swiss chard, tomatoes.
Labor Day – 50% off clothing, shoes and home items at thrift stores like Savers and Unique Thrift Stores
October
Halloween deals are happening this month! However, note that the best deals are right before and right after Halloween.
It’s also pizza month so watch for pizza deals!
-Tires and car supplies are discounted for Fall Car Care month
–Halloween candy, decorations, costumes
-Summer clearance items; best time to stock up on next summer’s patio furniture or buy a grill
-Appliances and vacuums: New models arrive so you’ll find sales on last year’s kitchen appliances and washers and dryers
-Winter gear: Get good early deals on coats, hats and scarves
-Camping gear, as summer camping season comes to an end
-Travel! Warm destinations want to attract families now that kids are in school, and it’s not yet the holiday season.
Seasonal produce on sale now:
Acorn squash, apples, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cranberries, grapes, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, parsnips, persimmons, pomegranates, pumpkins, rutabagas, spinach, sweet potatoes, Swiss chard, turnips, winter squash.
Columbus Day – 50% off clothing, shoes and home items at thrift stores like Savers and Unique Thrift Stores
November
-Wedding gowns: Boutiques are clearing out inventory between now and Christmas
-Halloween clearance (while it lasts)
–Thanksgiving meal fixings
-Baking supplies for the holidays
-Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales! Best deals on electronics, toys.
Seasonal produce on sale now:
Apples, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cranberries, leeks, mushrooms, oranges, parsnips, pears, persimmons, pomegranates, pumpkins, rutabagas, spinach, sweet potatoes, tangerines, turnips, winter squash.
Veterans Day – 50% off clothing, shoes and home items at thrift stores like Savers and Unique Thrift Stores
-Veterans should seek special discounts, such as at Applebees where veterans get a free meal
December
-Gift cards! Retailers are pushing any sales they can get for last-minute shoppers, and there are deals. Check Target as they have offered 10% off Target gift cards for a limited time in early December.
-Cough and cold medicine, facial tissues
-Cars: Car dealers are more open to a bargain before the end of the year to boost sales numbers
-Toys, electronics and much more are on sale for Christmas shopping season
Seasonal produce on sale now:
Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, grapefruit, kale, leeks, mushrooms, oranges, papayas, parsnips, pears, pomegranates, rutabagas, sweet potatoes, tangelos, turnips.
Day after Christmas – Best time to buy Christmas gift wrap, cards, storage for all your decorations
