What to buy every month of the year in 2018

January

With a fresh page on the calendar comes a fresh start for sales. These products are discounted in January:

• BEDDING AND LINENS. Department stores hold bedding and linen “white sales” in January with deep discounts on sheets and towels.

• TVS AND ELECTRONICS. Just before the Super Bowl, retailers normally discount their selections of HDTVs and other hometheater essentials.

February

It’s the month of love and gift-giving, but February might be a better time to buy major items for yourself than trinkets for your loved one. Options include:

• TVS. TV sales spill over from January into February. Aside from Black Friday, this is one of the prime times to buy a new TV.

• HOME GOODS. Presidents Day is Feb. 19 this year. Expect retailers to have home and apparel sales on that Monday and the weekend preceding.

March

There aren’t any major shopping holidays in March, but that doesn’t mean sales are lacking. Look for sales on these products:

• GOLF CLUBS. Expect to find discounts on golf clubs in preparation for summer.

• GRILLS. Buy your summer grilling necessities in March to avoid the spike in prices that will come when summer arrives.

April

April 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.

• JEWELRY. The general rule is to avoid buying jewelry close to major holidays.

May

April showers bring May flowers — and sales blossom then, too. Here’s a look at some products to consider buying this month:

• SPRING CLEANING NECESSITIES. Before summer arrives, act on spring cleaning discounts on vacuums and mops.

• SMALL KITCHEN APPLIANCES. Use May discounts as a perfect opportunity to buy small kitchen appliances, such as coffee makers and blenders.

June

June may be one of the shorter months of the year, but its supply of shopping events isn’t lacking. Smart purchases include these products:

• LINGERIE. Stock up on undergarments in June. That’s when Victoria’s Secret has been known to host its famed Semi-Annual Sale. The sale usually occurs in December also.

• GYM MEMBERSHIPS. Consider buying a gym membership during the summer, and don’t forget to negotiate to get the best possible deal. Gyms may be more eager for sign-ups at this time.

July

The temperature usually rises in July, but the prices of certain products drop. Consider buying these items this month:

• APPAREL. If you don’t want to wait for end-ofsummer sales, buy clothes in midsummer.

• PERSONAL ELECTRONICS. Black Friday is a big deal day that falls in November, but many retailers have begun hosting Black Friday in July sales, including Best Buy and Amazon. Expect discounts in nearly every product category.

August

Close out summer by buying summer products:

• LAWN MOWERS. 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.

September

With deals on items as varied as electronics and back-to-school supplies, September is a surprising month for good buys. Pick up reasonable prices in these departments:

—MATTRESSES. Year after year, September is the time for mattress sales.

—IPHONES. Apple has been known to announce its new iPhone installments at the company’s annual keynote in September. Usually, the unveiling is followed by a drop in prices.

October

Don’t let the cost of shopping spook 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.

November

November is the month for Black Friday sales, which means some of the most popular tech products fall to their lowest prices:

• TABLETS AND LAPTOPS. Electronics take center stage during Black Friday sales.

• GAMING SYSTEMS. Black Friday is the best time to buy a discounted gaming console or gaming system bundle like Xbox or PlayStation.

December

The end of the year is just the beginning for discounts in some product categories. Look for sale prices on these products in December:

• TOYS. Since toys are a popular Christmas gift, stores generally host big toy sales as the holiday season draws to a close.

• CARS. The end of December is an ideal time to buy a car. That’s when dealerships are looking to meet end-of-year sales quotas.