Best time to buy gadgets, furniture, and more
September 16, 2009 · Tagged with Banking and Budgeting
July: Furniture
New furniture hits showrooms in August, according to the American Home Furnishing Alliance. That means you can save 10% to 50% in July as retailers make room for the new inventory.
August: Outdoor toys
August is the best time to buy swimming gear, swing sets, beach toys and other items for outdoor fun as retailers make room on their shelves for fall and winter merchandise. Look for discounts of 30% to 75%.
September: Holiday airfare
Scout out deals for holiday travel. September is typically early enough to get a good price as well as a good seat.
Keep in mind that Wednesday is usually the cheapest day to fly, according to Rick Seaney, chief executive of FareCompare.com. (An exception to the rule: the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the busiest travel day of the year.) Sunday is generally the most costly.
September/October: Appliances
New models of big appliances roll into showrooms in September and October, making autumn a great time to get a deal as stores clear out the old to make room for the new.
And consider buying scratch-and-dent models — a ding in a refrigerator door could shave hundreds off the price, and most likely, no one will notice.
November: Candy
Got a sweet tooth? Mark your calendar for November 1 to stock up on Halloween candy leftovers. You can snag bags of sweets and boxes of chocolate bars for 50% to 75% off.
December: Computers
The holiday shopping season is a jolly good time to buy a computer. The deals often include free shipping, special discounts, daily or weekly offers, and free bundled accessories, says Janice Chen, an editor with CNET Reviews. Bargains can range from a respectable 15%-off deal to a 50%-off Black Friday door-buster. Or you may score a free printer, wireless router or antivirus software package with your purchase.
January and February can also be a good time to buy as retailers clear out their inventory for new models.