Best Things to Buy Every Month in 2024
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A new year is a good opportunity to take charge of your personal budget and develop a strategy for buying the things you want.
Create a list of the big buys you plan to make this year and use our guide to time each purchase right, so you can save money.
- Can you borrow from an IRA?
- See CD rates by term and type
- Key takeaways
- What is the earned income tax credit?
- About this tool
- What is a custodial Roth IRA?
- Definitions: Money Transfer Rates
- What is mortgage pre-qualification?
- 3 times credit card perks make it better
- Take reasonable precautions
- Investing money is personal
- 1. Go to a museum, aquarium or zoo
- Why we overspend
- How to make money as a kid
- Where to sell a junk car
- What are discretionary expenses?
- Fee-only vs. fee-based
- What is a cash offer on a house?
- 7 of the best apps to make money
- How do CDs work?
- What is a tax ID number?
- The main differences between redress and KTN numbers
- Best Prepaid Debit Cards
- What is a savings account?
- Food and drink
- 1. Cut back on premium channels
- What to look for in a health insurance plan
- 1. Certificates of deposit (CDs)
- 1. Report lost debit cards ASAP
- Making money with Rover
- The definition of a recession
- Minimum wage over time
- The best budget apps
- Why is having a low credit utilization important?
- Savings accounts provide cash access and tools
- The best car insurance
- How do CDs work?
- What to do when you want to quit your job after a month
- How to start a candle business in 7 steps
- What happens if you don't pay taxes, or pay your taxes late?
- First, some background
- What is options trading?
- What is the child tax credit?
- What are credit freezes and credit locks?
- What is a bonus?
- 1. Forgive yourself first, then make a plan
- Custodial Roth IRA rules
- 50/30/20 budget calculator
- 1. Sell spare electronics
- Calculate your closing costs
- What the Federal Reserve does
- General advice for international money transfers
- How does the SALT deduction work?
- 1. Start investing as early as possible
- California state income tax brackets and rates
- 1. Build your network
- What are closing costs?
- January
- What is the gift tax?
- 1. ‘I love this car!’
- How to spot origination fees
- Best fleet fuel cards
- Average retirement savings balance by age
- Top American Express cards that don’t charge annual fees
- What types of business insurance do painters need?
- Grants for LGBTQ+ businesses
- What happens when you get a credit card refund?
- Average savings account rate: 0.46%
- How to budget money
- 1. Rewards come in the form of rebates
- SBA loan down payment requirements by loan type
- Federal government farm grants
- Know when to complain
- Your credit score may drop
- What is an EIN?
- What does roadside assistance cover?
- What is a state income tax?
- How does an FHA 203(k) loan work?
- Our picks for the best life insurance companies in April 2024
- How to create a virtual credit card number
- What are tax refund advance loans?
- 1. Clean up your credit
- What is a technology stock?
- How to use the pre-qualification calculator
- How to send money online, on mobile or in person
- What is the 10-year Treasury?
- 1. Wait for automatic cancellation
- 2. Read a book
- The best money-making apps
- 1. Excellent rewards on H-E-B products
- Frontier Airlines elite status is different
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- How do expense trackers work?
- What is mortgage pre-qualification?
- 11 best investments right now
- How do sinking funds compare with other savings accounts?
- Types of TIN numbers
- Late fees, explained
- What is the standard deduction?
- How to make money online
- If you have private insurance
- 1. Choose which cryptocurrency to buy
- Traditional IRA contribution rules
- What are examples of discretionary expenses?
- What is a fee-only financial planner?
- 2. Sell your gift cards
- Why do interchange fees exist?
- Your own insurance usually comes first
- VA funding fee: How much you'll pay
- Mint vs. NerdWallet at a glance
- Why is gas more expensive when you pay with a credit card?
- How to lower your credit utilization
- To compete with cash offers, find out what sellers want
- Student loan forgiveness programs
- How to stop spending money
- What is a life insurance policy?
- Ways to earn money as a younger kid
- Who needs to get an EIN?
- Credit freeze vs. lock
- Bonus tax rate
- Why you need a savings account
- How does the earned income credit work?
- 2. Pare down cable boxes
- 22 popular tax deductions and tax breaks
- Hotel satisfaction is worse than ever
- What is the 50/30/20 rule?
- How much are closing costs?
- What happened at the MOHELA Senate hearing
- 1. Home office deduction
- 1. Income holds more weight in determining eligibility
- Top credit cards you can use instantly after approval
- YNAB, for hands-on zero-based budgeting
- 3. Catch a movie
- Get the Best HELOC Rate
- Cash back cards
- How to order foreign currency from your bank
- How much does business insurance cost for painters?
- What is a redress number?
- Cheap car insurance
- SBA 7(a) loan down payment
- Start with your servicer
- How much is the child tax credit worth?
- How we ranked the top life insurers
- 3. Pawn something
- Bank wire transfer
- The Fed is pushing to slow the economy
- 2. Diversify products and income streams
- A freelancer business might work for you if:
- State minimum wages in 2024
- 2. ‘I’ve got to have a monthly payment of $350.’
- How to compare lender fees and rates
- Median retirement savings balance by age
- How to get a federal student loan
- When to use a credit freeze
- How to sell a junk car
- Bluebird by American Express
- What you need to know about savings accounts
- How state income tax rates work
- 3. Pay attention to fees
- 2. Cash management accounts
- How to open a custodial Roth IRA for kids
- What is a fee-based financial planner?
- Best affordable homeowners insurance in Florida: Nationwide
- How the annual gift tax exclusion works
- CDs can save you from yourself
- 2. Request PMI removal sooner
- How to invest money
- Individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN)
- 2. Special financing comes with a catch
- What is a mega backdoor Roth?
- Your minimum payment could increase
- Choosing a roadside assistance plan
- Best car insurance in Texas overall: Travelers
- 2. Make some bigger money moves
- Biden's student loan forgiveness 'plan B' would be more targeted
- What is the SALT deduction?
- Best-performing tech stocks
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- February
- High CD rates for now
- What is the 10-year treasury yield today?
- How long does it take to get a credit card refund?
- The strategy behind sinking funds
- How are bonuses taxed?
- 4. Nix DVR service
- 2. Account frozen? Submit documentation
- 4. Work today for fast cash today
- How do you calculate closing costs on a house?
- The Federal Reserve, mortgage rates and inflation
- Where to get tax refund loans
- How long do recessions last?
- Other VA loan costs to consider
- A freelancer business might not work if:
- What’s behind the pre-qualification calculation?
- The pros and cons of a life insurance trust
- Why don’t other merchants offer a discount for paying with cash?
- Does raising the minimum wage cause inflation?
- 4. Play a game inside
- The three levels of Frontier elite status
- How to quit your job after a month
- Best iOS personal expense tracker apps
- How the standard deduction works
- Earned income tax credit 2023
- 2. Decide where to buy crypto
- Limited FHA 203(k) loans
- How do discretionary expenses fit into a budget?
- Who sets interchange fees?
- Where to look for information
- 2. Rewards become available immediately
- Other alternatives to Mint
- 2. Easy, flexible redemptions
- Top options for painting insurance
- Historical national rates
- How to trade options in four steps
- Decide where to complain
- Savings accounts with strong APYs can help your money grow
- For people with Medicare
- 5. Downsize your plan
- Traditional IRA income limits
- 5 reasons why a Roth IRA can be right for minors
- Best life insurance companies: Pros and cons
- How we got here
- 2. Rebalance your debts and income
- 3. Cut back on expenses with automation and negotiation
- How to determine your closing costs
- How to get started
- 3. ‘My lease is up next week.’
- Can you negotiate mortgage origination fees?
- 5. Play a game outside
- What is mortgage preapproval?
- How to prepare
- What is a Known Traveler Number?
- Mega backdoor Roth 2024
- Requirements: Who qualifies for the child tax credit?
- When are state income tax returns due?
- 3. Lower your interest rate
- The problem with the 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
- 3. High-yield money market accounts (MMAs)
- 3. Ask your bank for relief
- Fee-only financial planner or fee-based: Which type is best for me?
- 5. Seek community loans and assistance
- 2. Carryovers
- How to get car insurance quotes
- How can I save money on gas?
- Do all workers earn at least the minimum wage?
- Both CDs and savings accounts offer protection
- What can you do if the merchant won’t provide a refund?
- What’s going on with layoffs in tech?
- Best Texas car insurance for your budget: State Farm
- 6. Bundle cable and internet
- Standard FHA 203(k) loans
- The pros and cons of investing in tech stocks
- Determining eligibility for a VA loan
- March
- One more option: Borrow from a 401(k)
- Retirement savings by age
- 6. Volunteer
- Other student loan forgiveness programs
- Other good ways to pay abroad
- How to buy a life insurance policy
- Transactions could be declined
- How to apply for an employer identification number
- When to use a credit lock
- 6. Ask for forbearance on bills
- What do interchange fees mean for cardholders?
- Cash App
- 2. Decide how much to invest
- Getting ready for a recession
- And rates will rise again
- 4. ‘I want $10,000 for my trade-in, and I won’t take a penny less.’
- Price vs. yield
- 3. Get a new appraisal to remove PMI
- Best car insurance companies: Our winners
- How to stop spending money on food
- Can you have too many sinking funds?
- Employer identification number (EIN)
- Average interest checking account rate: 0.08%
- Try a simple budgeting plan
- How to claim the child tax credit
- How to get a private student loan
- How a savings account works: withdrawal limits
- 4. Monitor bank transactions online
- Higher Education Act justifies plan B
- California income tax deadlines and extensions
- 4. Prioritize authenticity
- VA loan borrowing limits
- Best homeowners insurance in Florida for coverage: State Farm
- What’s the difference between pre-qualification and preapproval?
- How does a life insurance trust work?
- 7. Visit the farmers market
- 3. Lacks perks that are standard on other credit cards
- How I earned top-tier status
- 3. The APR is higher than average
- Are bonuses taxed differently?
- Serve American Express Prepaid Debit Account
- Standard deduction 2023
- Types of state income tax
- 7. Negotiate a lower rate
- Making good financial decisions
- 7. Request a payroll advance
- What to ask your credit card issuer
- Do mortgage rates follow Fed rates?
- What it means for your money
- Closing costs calculator
- Gift tax limit 2024
- Goodbudget, for hands-on envelope budgeting
- Know when the HELOC draw period ends
- Student loan cancellation programs
- 1. High-yield savings accounts
- Do you need a redress number or Known Traveler Number?
- Earned income tax credit 2024
- 4. Peer-to-peer lending
- 203(k) eligible projects
- Best life insurance company overall: MassMutual
- 3. Don’t ask for too much cash
- 3. Startup expenses
- 3. You can use the card instantly after approval
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- 5. ‘I’ve been looking all over for this color.’
- 8. Go thrift shopping
- Are sinking funds right for you?
- Which life insurance policy is right for me?
- Paying down a maxed-out credit card
- 8. Seek out cheap cable
- 5. Know the bank’s timeline
- When to estimate closing costs
- Making money with Wag
- Who pays the closing costs?
- How to lower your VA mortgage payment
- 4. Pre-qualify without a hard pull
- Who covers the purchase while the refund is pending?
- Your 401(k) plan allows after-tax contributions
- 8. Take a loan from your retirement account
- April
- 4. Refinance to get rid of PMI
- 9. Go for a walk
- Understand how HELOC balloon payments work
- Student loan discharge programs
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
- How many banks have collapsed?
- 4. Rebate redemption is inflexible
- SBA 504 loan down payment
- Best Texas car insurance for customer complaints: Chubb
- Standard deduction 2024 (taxes filed 2025)
- For Medicaid beneficiaries
- 2. Choose how you'll pay
- Don’t count on this student loan forgiveness yet
- 3. Open an investment account
- Do I have to pay California state tax?
- What states are increasing minimum wages in 2024?
- Gift tax limit 2023
- Information is power
- State farm grants
- Write the complaint
- Additional child tax credit
- 9. Cut the cord
- 9. Borrow against life insurance
- 4. It skips important fees
- Does pre-qualification affect your credit score?
- Why is the 10-year Treasury yield important?
- 10. Take a hike
- Membership Rewards cards
- The caveats
- 5. Get immediate access to the card
- Pre-qualification vs. preapproval
- What to do if you can't pay your taxes
- Your 401(k) lets you move your after-tax money
- How much to keep in your savings account
- How to qualify for the earned income credit
- 5. Online savings accounts
- 6. Rebounding from bank account fraud
- Get more help with monthly budget planning
- Google Pay
- 4. Losses on bad debts
- VA loan pros and cons
- Additional functionality
- Best homeowners insurance in Florida for having few consumer complaints: Chubb
- Types of life insurance trusts
- Look for the most flexible HELOC terms
- Why Frontier Airlines elite status is the only airline status I have
- What happens to rewards earned from the purchase?
- Adoption taxpayer identification number (ATIN)
- Where do I enter a redress number or Known Traveler Number?
- Ways to earn money as a teenager
- 10. Use a credit card cash advance
- What do closing costs include?
- How do tax refund loans work?
- 4. Consider a co-signer
- How the lifetime gift tax exclusion works
- Know your rights
- 11. Ride a bike
- Get pre-qualified or preapproved?
- 5. The sign-up bonus is small
- ONE VIP Visa Prepaid Card
- How to ensure you get hotel service you deserve
- Best life insurance company for applicants with HIV: Guardian
- Federal funds rate and HELOCs
- How to invest in tech stocks
- May
- What are fleet cards?
- Average certificate of deposit rate: 1.81% for one-year CDs
- How much life insurance should I buy?
- Manage your expectations
- Best Texas car insurance for ease of use: Farmers
- Standard deduction for those 65 or older
- 11. Look for a payday alternative loan
- How much is the SALT deduction?
- What is California's standard deduction?
- 5. Convenient features can save you time and money
- How to increase your pre-qualification amount
- Minimum wage increases
- Are 10-year Treasury notes a good investment?
- Avoid prepayment penalties
- 2. Certificates of deposit
- SBA loans with no down payment requirement
- When to expect your child tax credit refund
- Where to get roadside assistance
- Alternatives to savings accounts
- Refinancing with an FHA 203(k) loan
- 5. Tax, legal and educational expenses
- 12. Sleep in the woods
- When to get a CD
- Should you list the job on your resume?
- You’ve got money left over for savings
- 3. Store your cryptocurrency
- No-closing-cost mortgages
- 4. Pick an investment strategy
- Citi Custom Cash® Card
- What is the median household income in the U.S.?
- How do fleet cards work?
- Be mindful of how much you borrow
- Does getting a refund on a credit card hurt your credit?
- Why did First Republic Bank fail?
- 2023 state income tax rates and brackets
- 6. High-yield checking accounts
- 12. Get a personal loan
- What part of my income gets taxed by California?
- Getting the most from your pre-qualification limit
- EveryDollar, for simple zero-based budgeting
- 13. Gaze at the stars
- How to stop spending money online
- Preparer tax identification number (PTIN)
- PayPal
- 5. Use collateral to secure the loan
- More calculators to help you shop for mortgages
- Full list of the best homeowners insurance in Florida
- 2024 lifetime gift tax exemption
- How do you buy 10-year Treasury notes?
- HELOC alternatives
- How to open a CD
- 2024 child tax credit news update
- Do you ever need to change your EIN?
- Who counts as a qualifying child for the earned income credit?
- For the uninsured
- Who qualifies for an FHA 203(k)?
- June
- 14. Listen to music
- 3. Bonds
- The bottom line
- When did all of the tech layoffs start?
- How to minimize the tax impact of a bonus
- Full list of the best car insurance companies in Texas
- Best life insurance company for consumer experience: Northwestern Mutual
- 13. Rent out a room
- How much does a tax refund loan cost?
- CD vs. savings account
- Best Android personal expense tracker apps
- How much do life insurance policies cost?
- Bottom line
- Best custodial Roth IRAs
- Am I a resident for California state tax purposes?
- Closing costs for the buyer
- Do you pay tax on T-notes?
- 15. Make some music
- Why did Silicon Valley Bank fail?
- Private and community farm grants
- FamZoo Prepaid Card
- Standard deduction for dependents
- Seller-paid closing costs
- More Florida home insurance companies
- How long does it take to get pre-qualified for a mortgage?
- Where to find the best savings accounts
- Can I claim the EITC without a child?
- How do I get an FHA 203(k) loan?
- 6. Find the right lender
- Who pays the gift tax?
- Next Steps
- What is the average and median retirement savings?
- 16. Make something
- CD vs. bond
- Average money market account rate: 0.66%
- What if you lose your EIN?
- 14. Moonlight as a dog sitter
- What taxes aren’t covered by the SALT deduction?
- 5. Understand your investment options
- Which type of life insurance should I put in a trust?
- July
- U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
- You might also like:
- Pros and cons of tax refund loans
- Venmo
- Do you pay taxes when you receive a gift?
- Fleet fuel cards: benefits and drawbacks
- 17. Learn a new skill
- How to get a down payment for an SBA loan
- When can't you take the standard deduction?
- 2024 state income tax rates and brackets
- How to claim the earned income tax credit
- Are FHA 203(k) loans a good idea?
- 15. Become a rideshare or delivery driver
- Rover vs. Wag: Which dog-walking app should I choose?
- Why is it called the SALT tax?
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Co-branded travel cards
- Types of CD strategies
- Resources for LGBTQ+ businesses
- Best life insurance company for coverage amounts: New York Life
- Cards with primary coverage
- Empower Personal Dashboard, for tracking wealth and spending
- 18. Exercise
- The bottom line
- Consequences of a child tax credit error
- Should you invest in cryptocurrency?
- 16. Cut your insurance premiums
- Is the gift tax deductible?
- Why did Signature Bank fail?
- August
- 19. Have a potluck
- Greenlight Prepaid Mastercard
- How much is my 2023 standard deduction?
- Tax refund loan alternatives
- How much is the gift tax rate?
- The bottom line
- Compare top-rated life insurance companies
- Ways kid creators can earn online
- Consequences of an EIC-related error
- American Express add-on coverage
- Walmart2Walmart
- How much does homeowners insurance cost in Florida?
- 20. Do something productive
- What are CD rates right now?
- How to make these changes last
- The difference between interest rate and APY
- State child tax credits
- 17. Consolidate your debt
- Fuel card vs. business gas credit card
- Options trading examples
- After deciding
- What’s happening with Silvergate Capital Corp.?
- Best life insurance company for permanent life insurance: Pacific Life
- September
- 21. Host a yard sale
- If you're ready to start a budget
- What is the $500 credit for other dependents (ODC)?
- 18. Refinance your student loans
- It pays to know
- Common gift tax return triggers
- What are promotional CD rates?
- What happened to Credit Suisse?
- Find the best life insurance policy for you
- 2023 vs. 2024 standard deduction
- Can I still get a past year's earned income tax credit?
- Lenders that offer small loans and fast funding
- Average cost of homeowners insurance in Florida by city
- U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
- 22. Engage with your community
- Child tax credit vs. child and dependent care credit
- 19. Change your cell phone plan
- California state tax credits
- More resources on investing
- 4. Money market funds
- Taxes on bonuses: The bottom line
- Walmart MoneyCard
- Western Union
- PocketGuard, for a simplified budgeting snapshot
- How the FDIC calculates national rates
- Tips for making money as a kid
- When to claim the standard deduction
- Apparel and shoes
- Avoid risky loans
- Why is homeowners insurance so expensive in Florida?
- October
- Does your business need a fleet fuel card?
- Understanding life insurance quotes
- U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card
- Are other banks are in trouble?
- Why trade options?
- Do you need roadside assistance coverage?
- Best life insurance company for customer satisfaction: State Farm
- What to know before shopping for car insurance quotes.
- Business cards
- Should I take my money out of the bank?
- 5. Mutual funds
- What are tax deductions?
- November
- Veteran farm grants
- Strive for understanding
- More resources
- Zelle:
- What to know about Florida homeowners insurance
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
- Are we in a recession?
- Alternatives to small-business grants
- 6. Index funds
- Low-fee alternatives to prepaid cards
- Best life insurance company for older applicants: AARP
- Honeydue, for budgeting with a partner
- December
- How to track your California state refund
- Closing costs for the seller
- Are we headed for a depression?
- Prime Visa
- Cheapest car insurance by state
- Alternatives to farm grants
- What are tax write-offs?
- What to know about the best ways to send money
- Best term life insurance companies of April 2024
- Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card
- California state sales tax
- Prepaid-like options from fintechs: Apple Cash and Cash App
- Best whole life insurance companies of April 2024
- Budgeting resources from NerdWallet
- Beauty and personal care
- How to make money from home
- How do you claim tax deductions?
- 7. Exchange-traded funds
- Best no medical exam life insurance companies of April 2024
- 5 things to know about California state tax
- How to get cheap car insurance
- Florida department of insurance
- How to choose the best life insurance company
- Methodology to identify the best budget apps
- Looking for more insurance in Florida?
- Other notable options
- 8. Stocks
- Risks of getting cheap auto insurance
- Best prepaid debit cards: Summary of fees and ATMs
- Target Circle™ Credit Card
- What are prepaid debit cards?
- How to get the cheapest car insurance quote possible
- Major issuers and their policies on instant credit access
- Prepaid debit cards vs. regular debit cards
- More about top-rated life insurance companies
- How to make money offline
- Frequently asked questions about prepaid cards
- 9. Alternative investments
- Entertainment
- Capital One® Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard®
- 10. Cryptocurrency
- Full list of the best car insurance companies
- Get your free birthday stuff and deals
- 11. Real estate
- Best car insurance companies by state
- PlayStation Visa Credit Card
- How to choose the best investments in 2024
- How to find the best car insurance
- Best Buy credit cards
- Why you can trust NerdWallet
- Xbox Mastercard
- Watch out for making money scams
January
With a fresh page on the calendar comes a fresh start for sales. These items are discounted in January:
Bedding and linen. Department stores hold bedding and linen “white sales” in January with deep discounts on sheets and towels.
Fitness equipment. Retailers will meet goals to get in shape with decent deals. Expect workout gear and apparel sales to abound at sporting goods stores. (Tip: Tread lightly on a treadmill purchase unless you're sure you’ll use it. It’ll always be cheaper to walk around the block.)
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. 15.
Freebie day: National Spaghetti Day is Jan. 4.
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. Television sales spill over from January into February ahead of the Super Bowl. Aside from Black Friday, this is one of the best times to buy a TV.
Winter items. With winter winding down, retailers will be looking to unload inventory of cold-weather products. Look for sales on apparel and winter sports gear that you'll need later in the year.
Home goods. Expect retailers to put home stuff on sale for Presidents Day and the weekend preceding the holiday.
Leftover chocolate. The savvy couple does Valentine’s Day a week late to save a buck. Grab a heart-shaped box of candy on Feb. 15, when stores will be discounting their Valentine’s Day leftovers. It’ll be easier to get a dinner reservation after Feb. 14 too.
Mark your calendar: Super Bowl Sunday is Feb. 11, Valentine's Day is Feb. 14 and Presidents Day is Feb. 19.
Freebie day: National Frozen Yogurt Day is Feb. 6.
March
There aren’t any major shopping holidays in March, but that doesn’t make for a total lack of sales. Look for deals on these products:
Tax software. Retailers like to discount tax software in March, ahead of Tax Day in April.
Grills. Buy your summer grilling necessities now to avoid a spike in prices when summer arrives.
St. Patrick’s Day essentials. Around St. Patrick’s Day, online retailers and department stores usually discount green clothing, party supplies and jewelry.
Vacuum cleaners: Some retailers will be ready to reward early spring cleaners with a deal on a Dyson, Shark or other brand of vacuum.
Mark your calendar: St. Patrick’s Day is March 17 and Easter Sunday is March 31.
Freebie day: Pi Day is March 14, because 3.14 (get it?).
April
April has its fair share of spring deals and discounts, including:
Vacuums. April is the real cleaning month and will bring more deals on vacuums. Look for markdowns at department stores as well as on manufacturers’ websites.
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.
Beauty products. Time to get outside and look your best. The Sephora spring sale is usually this month.
Sustainable items. To celebrate Earth Day, be on the lookout for retailer deals on sustainable items, such as reusable totes and water bottles, sustainably made clothing and other “green” products. Is this the year you start composting? We support that.
Mark your calendar: Tax Day is April 15.
Freebie day: Earth Day is April 22.
May
April discounts give way to more in May. 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. Typically, these products are included in Memorial Day sales, and they make great gifts for upcoming summer weddings.
If last year’s shopping research is any indication, prices on select kitchen gadgets could drop the Friday before Mother’s Day.
Mark your calendar: Mother’s Day is May 12 and Memorial Day is May 27.
Freebie day: National Hamburger Day is May 28.
June
June is short on days, but long on the list of deals. Smart purchases include:
Lingerie. Stock up on undergarments in June. That’s when Victoria’s Secret, for example, has been known to host its famous semiannual sale. The sale also typically occurs in December.
Other semiannual sales. The midway point is known for sales at lots of stores. In past years, we’ve seen stores like Bath & Body Works and Brooks Brothers hold semiannual sales in June.
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 when people are more likely to spend time outside.
Tools and other dad gifts. In preparation for Father’s Day, many retailers will offer deals on a variety of power tools and outdoor gear, as well as things like men’s clothing. Solo Stove has discounted its portable fire pits around this time in the past.
Mark your calendar: Father’s Day is June 16.
Freebie day: National Doughnut Day is June 7.
July
In July, prices drop like it’s hot. Consider buying these:
Summer apparel. The sun is still out, but demand for summer clothes starts to go down. So, buy up shorts, tanks and flip-flops while stores make it worth it. Buy only what’s on sale, though.
July Fourth items. Retailers like a reason to celebrate. In the days leading up to Independence Day, there’s usually an abundance of sales on red, white and blue products, as well as on barbecue and backyard items, sporting goods, jewelry and furniture.
Personal electronics on Prime Day. Amazon’s Prime Day happened on July 11 and 12 in 2023, so you can likely expect similar timing in 2024. It’s basically Black Friday in July, and it’s a hot sale for electronics and gadgets, among other categories. It also drives other retailers to compete with copycat sales.
School supplies. Kids won't want to think about the end of summer yet, but retailers start putting school supplies on sale in late July. If you have supply lists in hand, shopping back-to-school early can help you avoid the August rush.
Mark your calendar: Independence Day is July 4.
Freebie day: National Ice Cream Day is July 21 and National Lipstick Day is July 29.
August
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 low-cost items such as notebooks and pencils and more expensive ones like calculators and laptops. Generally, the closer to the start of the school year you buy, the better your chances of getting a good price.
Backyard products. Ride out the end of summer with a big deal on lawn mowers and other seasonal outdoor equipment, like a grill.
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.
Tax-free shopping. Back-to-school can be expensive. However, to aid in the purchase of school supplies, clothes, personal computers and other approved necessities, many states offer a tax-free weekend. If yours does, check the date and have your list ready.
Mark your calendar: For many school districts, the first day of school is in August.
Freebie day: National Waffle Day is Aug. 24.
September
With deals on items as varied as mattresses and pool toys, September is a surprising month for good buys. Score reasonable prices on these:
Mattresses. Year after year, September is a good time for mattress sales. Expect deals from department stores and mattress centers, usually as a part of Labor Day promotions.
iPhones. Apple often announces its latest iPhone lineup and other products in September. The unveiling is usually followed by a drop in prices on the models that have been around awhile. Check out used iPhones around this time too.
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. 2.
Freebie day: National Cheeseburger Day is Sept. 18.
October
Retailers won't ghost you in October. There will be plenty of deals on these product categories:
Outdoor furniture. Expect deals on patio furniture and outdoor living products when the weather turns cool.
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. The closer you get to Halloween, the better your chances of snagging a discounted bag of candy for trick-or-treaters.
Holiday gifts. Amazon has held a Prime Day-like shopping event in October for the past two years. The multi-day event sparked similarly-timed sales from retailers like Target, Walmart and Best Buy and featured deals that rival Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These events have made early October a top time to buy gifts or things you need for yourself.
Mark your calendar: Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day are Oct. 14 and Halloween is Oct. 31.
Freebie day: National Taco Day is Oct. 4 and National Dessert Day is Oct. 14.
November
November is the real month for Black Friday sales, which means some of the most popular technology products fall to their lowest prices. Expect most retailers to offer some kind of deal on products in nearly every category — not just on Black Friday, but throughout the month.
Electronics. Gadgets like TVs, tablets and laptops take center stage during Black Friday sales. Look for discounts on headphones, smart speakers and activity trackers, too.
Clothing. November has to be the busiest month for clothing catalogs. Scan the brands you like for discounts, and shop stores like Gap, Land’s End and American Eagle directly online for surprise coupon codes.
Streaming subscriptions: As if you need another password to remember, November has become a great time to sign up for a new streaming service. Popular content providers like Hulu and Paramount+ have offered solid subscription discounts during extended Black Friday sales in the past.
Mark your calendar: Thanksgiving is Nov. 28 and Black Friday is Nov. 29.
Freebie day: National Sandwich Day is Nov. 3.
December
The end of the year is just the beginning of discounts in some product categories. Look for sale prices on these items in December:
Electronics. Those Black Friday electronics deals from late November will spill over into the new month.
Small kitchen appliances. Cyber Monday 2024 falls on Dec. 2, and it’ll likely be a great time to get an air fryer. NerdWallet monitored prices on 10 popular products during every major sale of 2023. Each of the three kitchen gadgets on our list — an air fryer, stand mixer and coffee machine — hit low prices on Cyber Monday.
Toys. Toys are popular holiday gifts, and stores generally drop prices as the season draws to a close. Look on Black Friday but buy in December.
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. Hanukkah starts Dec. 7.
Freebie day: National Cookie Day is Dec. 4.