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.
- What is a jumbo loan?
- See CD rates by term and type
- What is a W-4?
- Life insurance buying guide
- What is a REIT?
- What is a brokerage account?
- Dividend definition
- Still deciding on the right carrier? Compare Medigap plans
- 6 steps to opening a Roth IRA
- Find the right business loan
- What is a mortgage refinance?
- Best for:
- 1. You're in default
- Current student loan interest rates
- HELOC and home equity loan interest deduction rules
- 7 of the best apps to make money
- Loss or damage already covered by your own auto insurance
- How much are taxes on lottery winnings?
- How do CDs work?
- Stop payment fees by financial institution
- How to get paid on YouTube
- What is the average cost of groceries per month?
- The best time to book an Airbnb
- What ANA miles are worth
- What is Amtrak?
- Exchange gift cards for ones you actually want
- Mortgage options
- What are Vanguard index funds?
- What is a solo 401(k) plan?
- January
- 50/30/20 budget calculator
- Priority Pass network options at LAX
- Used vs. new
- What is a credit card loan?
- 529 contribution limits by state
- The best car insurance
- Check prices at nearby airports
- How do CDs work?
- The best flight booking sites
- Best-performing REIT stocks: April 2024
- 1. Tweak your W-4
- 1. Start investing as early as possible
- How does capital gains tax on real estate work?
- Small business definition
- How does refinancing work?
- Step 1: Check your credit
- How to remove an authorized user
- Don't wait to get started — or to get help
- How does a jumbo loan work?
- Small-town business ideas
- Major airports
- How do brokerage accounts work?
- Dunkin’ Donuts overview
- Does a balance transfer close my old account?
- How to earn ANA Mileage Club miles
- What goes into the credit card interest calculation
- What is an SBA hotel loan?
- 1. You can build credit without a security deposit
- 1. File your home insurance claim immediately
- What is Disney Park Hopper?
- Shop around
- What is an EIN?
- How many personal loans can I have?
- How to make money online
- The best money-making apps
- Bluebird Card Pros
- What’s a good credit score with FICO vs. VantageScore
- Huntington Bank business checking is best for small-business owners who:
- Mint vs. NerdWallet at a glance
- Hotels
- Look up AI prompts for your industry
- What is a business credit score?
- How to use the car affordability calculator
- What is the 50/30/20 rule?
- Renting a Kyte car
- 529 contributions and the gift tax
- 2. Your account is unused
- Types of business entities: An overview
- Compare car insurance rates by age
- Pacific Life insurance
- If you have FFELP or private student loans currently managed by Navient
- How a home equity sharing agreement works
- 2. Learn more about your 401(k)
- How will the Student Aid Index be calculated?
- Median income by state: 2022
- Can I get life insurance with HIV?
- Have excellent credit
- Who needs to get an EIN?
- 1. Let Uncle Sam help you
- How does a credit card loan work?
- Lottery tax calculator
- How to fill out a W-4
- Best-performing REIT mutual funds: April 2024
- Cheap car insurance
- What are dividend stocks and why buy them?
- What should my monthly grocery budget be?
- How the home sale tax exemption works
- Getting multiple loans from the same lender
- Certain vehicles, including RVs and luxury cars
- Rely on the car owner’s insurance
- Bluebird Card Cons
- Pros and cons
- BEST STORE CARDS
- Should I keep the old card open?
- The largest banks in the U.S.
- Amtrak’s Acela line
- Types of SBA hotel loans
- February
- Jumbo loan requirements
- Some requests cost more
- Best-performing REIT ETFs: April 2024
- Pros and cons of home equity sharing agreements
- How to choose a brokerage account provider
- Rose Gold version makes a permanent return
- Grace period
- 2. The cash-back rewards are impressive …
- 2. Document the damage
- How do Vanguard index funds work?
- When to refinance a mortgage
- High CD rates for now
- Responsibly embrace credit cards
- How do lottery taxes work?
- Pacific Life insurance policies
- 3. Look into an IRA
- Trade the gift card for cash
- Apply with a co-signer
- Itemizing or taking the standard deduction
- How are business credit scores calculated?
- Step 2: Pre-qualify and compare offers
- 3. Something about you (or the issuer) changed
- Sole proprietorship
- Other alternatives to Mint
- 1. Chase: $2.61 trillion
- Use AI to ramp up productivity
- How to determine how much car you can afford
- Solo 401(k) contribution limits
- Reasons to consider removing an authorized user
- So where are the ‘bargains’?
- Rental cars in certain countries
- Search for one-way flights
- Overview of prepaid debit cards
- Canceling multiple checks can be cheaper
- How is the Student Aid Index used?
- What type of life insurance can I get with HIV?
- 3. Make temporary repairs
- AmEx Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Deciding factors
- How do REITs work?
- Dividend vs. growth stocks
- Do I need to spend on my new card?
- So, is booking an Airbnb last minute cheaper?
- Who qualifies for the home sales tax exclusion?
- Sign up for autopay
- Are Vanguard index funds a good investment?
- Qualifying for another personal loan
- 2. Let Uncle Sam help you again
- March
- Huntington Bank business checking at a glance
- If you had federal student loans previously managed by Navient
- Median income by city: 2021
- How to size your business
- Cost of getting a loan on your credit card
- Renewing a stop payment costs money, too
- Pacific Life insurance rates
- Large airports
- How much is a Dunkin’ Donuts franchise?
- 2. Decide how much to invest
- Average daily balance
- Give it away
- 3. … but the fees will take a bite out of that cash back
- How long will your mortgage loan last?
- Do personal credit scores affect business credit scores?
- How to apply for an employer identification number
- Best car insurance companies: Our winners
- Long-term rentals
- Do I have to pay state tax on lottery winnings?
- Have the owner add you to their policy
- How Huntington Bank business checking works
- REITs' average return
- How are dividends paid out?
- Get any discounts that apply
- Collect the right tax forms from your lender
- Is Solo 401(k) tax deductible? Solo 401(k) tax advantages
- What a good credit score can get you
- 4. Communicate with your adjuster
- Think of AI as your marketing assistant
- How much does it cost to buy Vanguard index fund shares?
- Shopping in the new normal
- 4. Save for college
- Revisit your spending habits
- 2. Bank of America: $2.34 trillion
- A few tips about giving gift cards
- How does Disney Park Hopper work?
- 3. Break it down
- Careless driving
- Pacific Life customer complaints and satisfaction
- Common uses for SBA hotel loans
- How do multiple personal loans affect your credit?
- April
- Save for retirement and the short-term, too
- General partnership
- Types of REITs
- 6 types of dividends
- How to open a Dunkin’ Donuts franchise
- Airlines
- Airbnb hacks and strategies to avoid overpaying
- How to qualify for life insurance with HIV
- What is a good business credit score?
- 4. Pocket your tax refund
- Medium-sized airports
- How to open a brokerage account
- 5. Fund your FSA
- Find ways to stretch your grocery budget
- 3. Open an investment account
- What’s next?
- Use AI judiciously and be transparent
- How can I access these lounges?
- Alternatives to getting a loan on your credit card
- Should I take a lump sum payment or annuity payments?
- More about Pacific Life insurance
- 4. Getting into debt would be expensive
- Decide between fixed and variable
- Covering your spouse under your solo 401(k)
- Alternatives to personal loans
- 5. Pay your IRA first
- Get more help with monthly budget planning
- W-4 form 2024
- What affects your credit score?
- Additional functionality
- Why the small business definition matters
- 5. Save your receipts
- Step 3: Choose your lender and loan
- What to do after removing an authorized user
- Driving a Kyte car
- The bottom line
- Interest rate
- 3. Wells Fargo Bank: $1.68 trillion
- Remember gift cards can expire
- How much are Disney Park Hopper tickets?
- Pick the shortest term you can
- May
- Pros and cons of jumbo loans
- Get standard car insurance and keep it short term
- 6. Subsidize your dependent care FSA
- 5. Other cards might be a better option
- 6. Consider your contractor
- How to open a solo 401(k)
- Search for individual tickets if traveling in a group
- Where Huntington Bank business checking stands out
- What does a shared equity agreement cost?
- Types of mortgage loans
- How do I deal with lottery taxes?
- How to find the 2024 W-4
- How to get a good credit score
- How do SBA hotel loans work?
- Returning a Kyte car
- When to get a CD
- Brokerage accounts are taxable accounts
- Rental cars
- 4. Pick an investment strategy
- Cost of life insurance for people living with HIV
- Limited partnership
- Where Huntington Bank business checking falls short
- 7. Rock your HSA
- 7. Get help with living expenses
- Step 4: Gather loan documents
- The bottom line
- How to redeem ANA Mileage Club miles
- 4. Citibank: $1.01 trillion
- How do you buy Vanguard Index fund shares?
- How much does it cost to refinance a mortgage?
- June
- Kyte pricing
- How to open a CD
- Do I have to update my W-4 every year?
- Days in the cycle
- Do you ever need to change your EIN?
- How repayment of the equity investment works
- Amtrak’s Northeast Regional line
- Best life insurance companies for people with HIV
- How to rebook quickly for a canceled flight
- CD vs. savings account
- 8. See if you’re eligible for the earned income tax credit (EITC)
- Shopping and dining
- Calculating capital gains tax on a home sale
- Does Disney Park Hopper include parking?
- Buy non-owner car insurance
- Jumbo loans and conforming loan limits
- How to adjust your Form W-4
- Brokerage accounts vs. IRA
- How to evaluate dividends
- 5. U.S. Bank: $646.73 billion
- How to get life insurance with HIV
- How to find the best refinance rates
- Why do I need a business credit score?
- Finding a car you can afford
- July
- CD vs. bond
- 5. Understand your investment options
- What's next?
- What are the best Vanguard index funds?
- What if you lose your EIN?
- Find local conforming loan limits
- Step 5: Submit your application and get funded
- C corporation
- Where to get a home equity sharing agreement
- 9. Give it away
- How do I get my business credit score?
- Ways to get the best jumbo mortgage rates
- Types of CD strategies
- How to decide if Disney Park Hopper is right for you
- Last-minute flight deals are out there
- How much money can you make on YouTube?
- Will you owe capital gains taxes on your home sale?
- Refinancing a mortgage, step by step
- August
- What is the highest credit score, and how many people have it?
- 6. PNC Bank: $551.13 billion
- Is Kyte worth it?
- Buy rental car insurance
- Pros of investing in REIT stocks
- 10. Keep a file of your medical expenses
- How to avoid capital gains tax on home sales
- Important considerations when opening a Roth IRA
- What are CD rates right now?
- Consider all your options
- Compare insurance rates by driver history
- After deciding
- How to obtain an SBA hotel loan
- September
- Cons of investing in REIT stocks
- How much does a Dunkin’ franchisee make?
- Earn an audience, and earn more in the long run
- S corporation
- Are dividends taxed?
- 11. Consider selling those dogs weighing down your portfolio
- 7. Goldman Sachs: $463.99 billion
- What are promotional CD rates?
- Friends and family
- Investing in REITs: How to get started
- Next steps
- Other types of mortgage loans
- Speak with an agent
- W-4 calculator
- Other ways to make money
- October
- 12. Get the timing right
- Ideal Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee candidate
- If you want to transfer Southwest Rapid Rewards points
- How ANA elite status works
- How taxes on real estate, rental, and investment sales work
- 8. Truist Bank: $534.93 billion
- When to skip renting through Kyte
- What else to know about Form W-4
- Limited liability company
- Dunkin’ alternatives
- Is there an over-55 home sale exemption?
- Travel time: Northeast Regional versus Acela
- November
- 9. Capital One: $468.23 billion
- OK, what's next?
- Final thoughts on the best flight booking site
- Disney Park Hopper recapped
- Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. AmEx Platinum: Minor features to consider
- Amtrak Acela vs. Northeast Regional recapped
- December
- 10. TD Bank: $366.25 billion
- How to choose the best business entity type
- Who is Kyte best for?
- Cheapest car insurance by state
- The bottom line
- 11. BMO: $260.79 billion
- Submit your application
- How to make money from home
- Who might prefer AmEx Platinum over Chase Sapphire Reserve
- What it's like flying ANA
- 12. Citizens Bank: $224.96 billion
- How to get cheap car insurance
- 13. First Citizens Bank: $213.59 billion
- Risks of getting cheap auto insurance
- If you fly ANA airlines this year
- 14. Fifth Third Bank: $211.98 billion
- The bottom line
- How to make money offline
- How to find the right business idea for your small town
- 15. M&T Bank: $208.61 billion
- Compare cards
- 16. Huntington National Bank: $186.36 billion
- Full list of the best car insurance companies
- EXCELLENT GENERAL-PURPOSE CARDS FOR SHOPPING
- 17. Ally Bank: $185.72 billion
- How to compare car insurance rates
- The bottom line
- Best car insurance companies by state
- 18. KeyBank: $185.57 billion
- How to find the best car insurance
- 19. American Express National Bank: $174.80 billion
- 20. HSBC Bank USA: $161.30 billion
- How to choose an insurance company
- 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.