Learning To Save By The Calendar
January has the best deals on holiday-related items with markdowns at 50% to 75%—sometimes even 90%—off of everything from decorations to candy and wrapping paper. Be on the lookout for fresh blueberries at this time too, usually $1 to $2 less, thanks to it being summer in South America.
Seasonal Produce: Oranges, pears, grapefruit, tangerines, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chard, collards, kale, kiwifruit, avocados, cabbages, and spinach
Diet Foods: Healthy Choice, South Beach, Lean Cuisine, Special K, Kashi, Smart Start, 100-Calorie Packs, oatmeal and diet aids (shakes, weight scales, diet cookbooks, exercise equipment and weights)
Winter Health: Cold medicines, vitamins, cough syrup
Super Bowl Sunday: Soda, chips, dips, cheese, sandwich items, crackers, snacks, wings, cut fruit and veggie trays
Other Items on Sale: Tea, bedding during Winter White Sales, calendars, discount gift cards
With a fresh page on the calendar comes a fresh start for sales. These items are discounted in
Bedding and linens. Department stores hold bedding and linen “white sales” in January with deep discounts on sheets and towels.
Fitness equipment. Retailers know you want to get in shape. Expect fitness equipment and apparel sales to abound at sporting goods stores.
TVs and electronics. Just before the Super Bowl, retailers normally discount TVs and other home-theater essentials.
Mark your calendar: Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Jan. 18.
Freebie day: National Spaghetti Day is Jan. 4.
February -Between the Superbowl, Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day, and Chinese New Year, February is an auspicious month to stockpile your kitchen. Go for the large Haas avocados during February—they can go as low as $0.57!
Seasonal Produce: Artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chard, collards, grapefruit, kale, oranges, parsnips, pears, potatoes, turnips
National Canned Food Month: Canned fruit, vegetables, pie fillings, soups, meats: tuna, chicken, salmon
National Hot Breakfast Month: Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, frozen waffles, syrup, waffle & pancake mix, hash browns, bacon, sausage
Valentine’s Day: Boxed and bar chocolate, lubricants & KY jelly, perfume, cards, stuffed animals, gift sets, wine/sparkling cider, candles
Other Items on Sale: Sports gear, flowers other than red roses, big screens from the previous year, soy sauce, canned water chestnuts
It’s the month of love and gift-giving, but might be a better time to buy major items for yourself than trinkets for your loved one. Options include: TVs. Television sales spill over from January into February. Aside from Black Friday, this is one of the prime times to buy a new TV.Winter items. With winter winding down, retailers will be looking to unload inventories of cold-weather products. Look for sales on apparel and winter sports gear.
Home goods. Expect retailers to have home and apparel sales on Presidents Day and the weekend preceding the holiday.
Mark your calendar: The Super Bowl is Feb. 7, and Presidents Day is Feb. 15.
Freebie day: National Frozen Yogurt Day is Feb. 6.
March is National Frozen Food Month, which means it’s the best time to stock up on frozen foods. We’ve found incredible deals like Birdseye Frozen Vegetables for $0.25 and Udi’s Gluten Free Pizza for only $2.
Seasonal Produce: Artichokes, asparagus, avocados, broccoli, cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, celery, grapefruit, grapes, lemons, limes, mushrooms, onions, peas, radishes, rhubarb, spinach and strawberries
Frozen Food Month: Frozen meals and entrees, veggies, side dishes, desserts and juice concentrate
March Madness: Soda pop, chips, dips, cheese, crackers, sandwich items, snacks, wings, cut fruit and veggie trays St. Patrick’s Day: Decorations, corned beef, cabbage and Irish soda bread
Clearance: Winter clothing, snow shovels, ski and sledding equipment
Spring/Easter: Decorations, baskets, candy, ham, eggs and egg dyeing kits, gift sets, dresses and accessories
Other Items on Sale: 5 for $5 deals on bags of fruit, luggage
There aren’t any major shopping holidays in March, but that doesn’t mean a lack of sales. Look for deals on these products: Tax software. Retailers like to discount tax-prep items in March ahead of Tax Day in April.
Grills. Buy your summer grilling necessities in March to avoid the spike in prices when summer arrives.
St. Patrick’s Day essentials. Around St. Patrick’s Day, online retailers and department stores usually discount green-themed clothing, party supplies and jewelry.
Mark your calendar: St. Patrick’s Day is March 17.
Freebie day: Pi Day is March 14.
April brings both Easter and the start of spring. Chocolate, jelly beans, and other candy is priced incredibly low, so grab it while you can. Easter baskets, normally $12.99, have gone on sale for only $1.50 after the holiday. Eggs are typically less this month, too. We’ve found prices drop to as low as $0.23 a dozen!
Seasonal Produce: Artichokes, asparagus, avocados, beets, broccoli, cabbages, carrots, grapefruit, mushrooms, onions, peas, rhubarb, and strawberries
Easter: Decorations, baskets & grass, toys, games, candy, chocolate, egg-dyeing kits, spring dresses and apparel
Spring: Gardening equipment and seeds, bird feeders, spring cleaning supplies, allergy medicine, rain boots, umbrellas, and raincoats
Earth Day: Natural and organic foods and personal care products, reusable bags and water bottles, Energy Star appliances, CFL and LED lighting
Other Items on Sale: Last-minute cruise deals, discounted gym memberships, end-of-fiscal-year electronics, tax discounts, and secondhand items at garage sales has its fair share of spring deals and discounts, including:
Vacuums. Buying a vacuum isn’t the most exciting purchase, but it’ll be less painful if you take advantage of a spring cleaning sale. Look for markdowns at department stores as well as manufacturers like Dyson.
Tax-themed items. Year after year, retailers and restaurants try to lighten the burden of Tax Day with discounts and freebies on services like paper shredding. Keep an eye out for these around mid-April.
Easter candy. The days after the Easter holiday will be filled with markdowns on candy, plastic eggs, stuffed animals and more.
Mark your calendar: Easter is April 4.
Freebie day: Tax Day is April 15.
May starts big with Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day and ends with Memorial Day—a weekend that’s become a shopping sales bonanza. With grills being fired up, we’ve seen prices on typical Memorial Day food hit rock-bottom, like Bar-S Franks for $0.63 or Kraft Barbecue Sauce priced at just $0.25!
Seasonal Produce: Artichokes, asparagus, avocados, beets, blackberries, carrots, corn, green beans, onions, peas in the pod, potatoes, raspberries, strawberries
Cinco de Mayo: Salsa, shredded cheese, tortillas, tortilla chips, canned & refried beans, shredded lettuce, piñatas & piñata fillers, frozen Mexican entrees & snacks (taquitos, mini tacos, chimichangas)
Mother’s Day: Bouquets, gift sets, perfume, chocolate, photo frames and crafts, jewelry, candles
Memorial Day: BBQ sauce, ketchup, condiments, charcoal, salad dressing, potato chips, dips, paper plates, plastic utensils, sandwich fixings Summer Needs: Insect repellent, sunscreen, outdoor furniture, shorts, sun hats, beach toys, bird feeders, lawn mowers, barbecues, and grilling utensils
Gardening: Plants, flowers, seeds, watering cans, plant food, soil, weed killers, mulch, compost buckets, water hoses
Other Items on Sale: Mattresses, military discounts
April showers bring flowers — and sales blossom then, too. Here’s a look at some items to consider buying this month: Spring apparel. By May, retailers will discount spring clothing that has already been hanging on racks for a month or two.
Furniture. Three of the biggest blowout shopping days are Black Friday, Labor Day and Memorial Day. Memorial Day is in May, so look for furniture and home-decor discounts from big-box stores.
Small kitchen appliances. Use May discounts as an opportunity to buy small kitchen appliances, such as coffee makers and blenders. These products normally are included in Memorial Day sales and make great wedding gifts.
Mark your calendar: Mother’s Day is May 9, and Memorial Day is May 31.
Freebie day: National Hamburger Day is May 28.
We tend to see deep dives on seasonal fruits and vegetables prices in June. The cost of cherries and blueberries can really drop—to levels as low as $2 a pound. With Father’s Day mid-month, ties are typically 50% off. It’s also National Dairy month where you’ll see rarely discounted items like milk for only $1.84.
Seasonal Produce: Apricots, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cherries, corn, cucumber,s eggplant, grapes, honeydew, nectarines, peaches, potatoes, raspberries, red onions, summer squash, strawberries, sweet Vidalia onions, tomatoes, watermelon
National Dairy Month: Milk (also look for free milk Catalinas when you buy cereal promos), ice cream, cheese, butter, eggs, yogurt
Fourth of July: Hot dogs, hamburgers, buns, BBQ sauce, ketchup, charcoal, salad dressing, potato chips, dips, mustard & mayo, relish, ice cream, Popsicles, frozen treats, soda pop
Summer Needs: Insect repellant, sunscreen, outdoor furniture, shorts, sun hats, beach toys, bird feeders, lawn mowers, barbecues and grilling utensils, swim wear, kid pools, sandboxes, sandals
Gardening: Plants, flowers, seeds, watering cans, plant food, soil, weed killers, mulch, compost buckets, water hoses
Clearance: Jackets, sweaters, umbrellas, rain boots, floral wreaths from Memorial Day
Other Items on Sale: Tools, free donuts in honor of National Donut Day on June 5th
may be one of the shorter months of the year, but its supply of opportunities to snag deals isn’t lacking. Smart purchases include: Lingerie. Stock up on undergarments in June. That’s when Victoria’s Secret, for example, has been known to host its famed Semi-Annual Sale. The sale usually also occurs in December.
Gym memberships. Consider buying a gym membership during the summer and be sure to negotiate for the best deal. Gyms may be eager for sign-ups at this time.
Movie tickets. During the summer months, many movie theater chains offer film programs, which usually include cheap tickets to children’s movies.
Mark your calendar: Father’s Day is June 20.
Freebie day: National Doughnut Day is June 4.
July is the month where you could pay as little as $0.38 for a pound of tomatoes. Strawberries are also in season in July—we’ve seen them for as low as $0.45 in past seasons! Stock up on these sales and freeze any extras. You might also want to start keeping your eyes peeled for early back-to-school deals. We’ve found backpacks as low as $3.97 in July!
Seasonal Produce: Asian pears, Bartlett pears, green beans, blueberries, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, figs, garlic, grapes, nectarines, red onions, Valencia oranges, peaches, sweet bell peppers, plums, potatoes, summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, watermelon
More 4th of July BBQ Sales: Hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ sauce, ketchup, condiments, charcoal, salad dressing, potato chips, dips, picnic items
Back-to-School Sales: Crayons, pencils, folders, binders, backpacks
National Ice Cream Month: Ice cream, popsicles, fudgesicles, drumsticks
Other Items on Sale: Sunscreen, bug repellent, paper goods
The temperature usually rises in July, but the prices of certain items drop. Consider buying these:
Apparel. If you don’t want to wait for end-of-summer sales, buy clothes now. You’ll likely find a better price than you would’ve at the start of the season.
Patriotic items. Retailers like a reason to celebrate. In the days leading up to the Fourth of July, there’s usually an abundance of sales on red, white and blue products (and items that are all three colors), as well as on sporting goods, jewelry and furniture.
Personal electronics. Black Friday is a big deal day that falls in November, but many retailers have added Black Friday in July sales, including Best Buy and Amazon (which usually features Prime Day). Expect discounts in nearly every product category.
Mark your calendar: The Fourth of July is … July 4.
Freebie day: National Ice Cream Day is July 18, and National Lipstick Day is July 29
As the kids prepare to head back to classes in August, school supplies hit the shelves hard. You’ll see deep discounts on every kind of supply from scissors for $0.33 to a 10-pack of Bic Pens for $0.49, and even Sharpies for $0.25. For lunchbox snacks, this is a good time to purchase grapes due to their ripeness in the heat of August. Grape prices can drop to as little as $0.98/lb.
Seasonal Produce: Avocados, berries, cherries, corn on the cob, cucumbers, eggplant, figs, grapes, green beans, melons, onions, peaches, peppers, plums, summer squash, tomatillos, tomatoes, watermelon
Back-to-school Supplies: Erasers, pens, crayons, paper, binders, backpacks, notebooks, markers, note cards, USB flash drives, glue, tissue boxes, paper, sticky notes, scissors, staplers
School Lunch Items: Pudding cups, lunch meat, single serve juices, Lunchables, PB&J, crackers, chips
Disinfectants: Clorox and Lysol wipes and sprays, hand sanitizer
Other Items on Sale: Sunflowers, laptops, insect repellent, sunscreen, charcoal, swimsuits, gardening supplies and seeds, fans, camping gear
Close out summer by buying summer products? That’s right — look for end-of-season clearance sales in August on: Back-to-school supplies. The start of school marks the need to buy small items such as pencils and expensive ones like laptops. Generally, the closer to the start of the school year you buy, the better your chances of getting a good price.
Outdoor products. Ride out the end of summer with a big deal on lawn mowers and other seasonal outdoor equipment.
Swimsuits. There may not be many swimming days left by the time August rolls around, but that’s exactly why swimsuit clearance sales will crest. Buy swimsuits now for next year.
Mark your calendar: The first day of school is usually in August.
Freebie day: National Waffle Day is Aug. 24.
September’s biggest sales are focused on Labor Day—when you’ll also find some of the best bargains until Black Friday. Stores are eager to stock up on holiday items and get rid of what’s currently on the shelves. It’s a good time to buy any leftover school supplies you need, like Paper Mate Pens for only $0.12! Or folders for 30 off%. Keep an eye out for summer clearance items like bug spray and barbecue supplies. We’ve seen prices on inflatable boats go as low as $12.99.
Seasonal Produce: Apples, artichokes, beans, cucumbers, eggplant, grapes, onions, pears (Asian & Bartlett), peppers (bell and chili), squash, tomatillos, tomatoes, brussels sprouts, squash, kale, collards
Back-to-School Items: Pens, pencils, paper (filler and printing), backpacks, erasers, folders, binders, dividers
Labor Day: Restaurant deals, movie theater perks (such as free popcorn, soda, and concession candy/snacks), shoes and apparel, weekend travel or park passes, party supplies and snacks
Kids’ Health Items for National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month: Healthy foods for kids, prepackaged kids’ health lunches and snacks, lunch boxes, kids’ first aid supplies
Summer Clearance Items: Camping gear, gardening supplies, bug spray, fans & air conditioners, BBQ supplies including grills, charcoal and lighters/lighter fluid
College Savings for College Savings Month: College supplies, incentives to open 529 savings plans, incentives to open college savings accounts (for parents and students)
Other Items on Sale: Fresh-cut flowers and bikes
With deals on items as varied as mattresses and back-to-school supplies, September is a surprising month for good buys. Pick up reasonable prices on these:
Mattresses. Year after year, September is the time for mattress sales. Expect these from department stores and mattress centers, usually as a part of Labor Day sales
iPhones. Apple has been known to announce its new iPhones at the company’s annual keynote in September. Usually, the unveiling is followed by a drop in prices on the current phones in anticipation of the new models.
Appliances. Expect a series of blowout deals in the week leading up to Labor Day, including promotions on appliances big and small.
Mark your calendar: Labor Day is Sept. 6.
Freebie day: National Coffee Day is Sept. 29.
October Find exceptionally low prices on Halloween candy—as cheap as $0.92 for a big bag! Or costumes marked down to 75% off days before halloween! This is a good time to pick up spices since prices can go up during November and December. You can find deals as good as McCormick spices for $0.99 around this time.
Seasonal Produce: Apples, artichokes, arugula, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbages, chard, cranberries, mustard greens, parsnip, pears, pomegranates, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, winter squash, turnips and yams
Baking Goods (mid-October to late December): Canned pumpkin, evaporated milk, baking chips and pie crust (mix and ready-made frozen)
Outdoor Gear: Camping in October, anyone? For most, this is a “no,” and retailers want to offload their extra inventory
Snow Removal Gear: Snowblowers, shovels, de-icers
Swimwear: Swimsuits, cover-ups, shorts, flip-flops, goggles—retailers are eager to unload these items in most parts of the country, where temperatures are rapidly falling
Other Items on Sale: Oils and broths
October
Don’t let the cost of shopping scare you during the Halloween season. There will be plenty of deals on these product categories in October: Outdoor furniture. People generally spend less time outdoors when the temperature drops. Expect deals on patio furniture and outdoor living products when summer ends.
Jeans. Fall inventory arrives in stores in August and September, but you’ll pay top dollar unless you wait a few weeks. October is a great time to buy a new pair of jeans.
Candy. As the month gets closer to Halloween, your chances improve to snag a discounted bag of candy for trick-or-treaters.
Mark your calendar: Columbus Day is Oct. 11, and Halloween is Oct. 31.
Freebie day: National Taco Day is Oct. 4.
The retail world is bursting with holiday sales in November, and the main feature is Black Friday. But let’s not forget the incredible deals on what’s left of Halloween costumes, decorations, and candy. We’ve found candy corn for only $0.50 in November. The week before and after Thanksgiving is also a great time to stockpile what you’ll need for your holiday meals—like turkey, canned pureed pumpkin, and stuffing mix. Potatoes are often marked down considerably, like yams for just $1.
Seasonal Produce: Apples of all varieties, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, celery, cranberries, kiwis, lemons, oranges, pears (Anjou & Comice), potatoes, pumpkin, squash, yams and pomegranates
Baking Goods: Nuts, chocolate chips, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese, coconut, cake & brownie mixes
Cooking Gear: Cookware, flatware, knives, pots and pans
Canned Foods: Soup, broth, vegetables & fruits, spaghetti sauce
Cold & Flu: Nyquil, Hall’s, Tylenol Cold & Flu, tissues
Black Friday/Cyber Monday: Clothing, toys, electronics, appliances, housewares
Seasonal Clearance: Rakes, outdoor furniture, bikes, Halloween clearance
Other Items on Sale: Peanuts, peanut butter, flower bulbs, athletic shoes, kids’ toys, wedding gowns and accessories
is the month for Black Friday sales, which means some of the most popular technology products fall to their lowest prices:
Electronics. Electronics like tablets, laptops and gaming systems take center stage during Black Friday sales. Look for discounts on smartphones and activity trackers, too.
Home appliances. Reserve your major home appliance purchase — refrigerator, washer, dryer, dishwasher, etc. — for Black Friday deals. Often, sales can also be found throughout the month.
Tools. Home improvement stores discount tools, ladders and toolboxes during Black Friday promotions.
Mark your calendar: Thanksgiving is Nov. 25, Black Friday is Nov. 26 and Cyber Monday is Nov. 29.
Freebie day: National Sandwich Day is Nov. 3.
Holidays are in full force in December, and the real deals arrive right after Christmas, but grocery deals can still be found with canned goods and baking products like sugar for $1.19. Citrus is big this month—we’ve seen grapefruit marked down to 20% off. Nuts are hot items this month, too. They can be served at holiday parties or added into holiday cookies. Bags of sliced almonds, usually $5.99, can go as low as $4.49 during this month.
Seasonal Produce: Apples, beets, bok choy, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, celery, citrus fruits, dates, kale, kiwifruit, leeks, mushrooms, onions, papayas, pomegranates, radishes, spinach, sweet potatoes, winter squash Holiday Dinner: Eggnog, sparkling cider, deli platters, instant potatoes, gravy mixes, dinner rolls, frozen pies, cranberry sauce, Jell-O and marshmallows
Baking: Flour, sugar, butter, cream, cake mixes, brownie mixes, muffin mixes, breads, pie crusts, marshmallows, whipped cream Canned Foods: Soup, broth, condensed milk, vegetables, fruits, spaghetti sauce Clearance: Thanksgiving decorations, table settings, turkey carving products
Golf gear: Clubs, gloves, apparel Other Items on Sale: Jewelry, toys, sparkling wine, gift cards, electronics
December The end of the year is just the beginning for discounts in some product categories. Look for sale prices on these items in: Electronics. Those Black Friday electronics deals from late November will spill over into the new month. Toys. Toys are a popular Christmas gift and stores generally host big toy sales as the holiday season draws to a close. Christmas decorations. Beginning the day after Christmas, shop sales for deep discounts — often upward of 50% — on decorations, wrapping paper, ornaments, artificial trees and similar seasonal fixings.
Mark your calendar: Christmas is Dec. 25.
Freebie day: National Cookie Day is Dec. 4.