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.
- Compare Medicare Advantage providers
- Find the right Medicare Advantage plan
- 6 steps to opening a Roth IRA
- What is a budget planner?
- Still deciding on the right carrier? Compare Medigap plans
- What is a put option?
- See CD rates by term and type
- Nerdy takeaways about where to exchange currency
- Still deciding on the right carrier? Compare Medicare Advantage plans
- About USAA home insurance
- Inheritance tax definition
- ETF meaning
- What is FICA tax?
- The cheapest car insurance companies by category
- 7 best-performing AI stocks
- S&P 500 index (SPX) today
- United fare classes: The differences
- 7 of the best apps to make money
- Types of foreign ATM fees
- The steps to book an Airbnb
- Step 1: Choose your health insurance marketplace
- How much are taxes on lottery winnings?
- Clover Health Medicare Advantage pros and cons
- How we found the best travel insurance
- How to start a laundry business in 10 steps
- Create a budget plan that works for you
- What are closing costs?
- What Net 30 means
- How does capital gains tax on real estate work?
- How do CDs work?
- FICA tax rate 2023-2024
- How to get a tax transcript
- Average car loan interest rates by credit score
- January
- When does the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card provide coverage?
- Chase joint account
- 1. What is Accor Live Limitless?
- Buy down the interest rate: Is it worth it?
- How to budget money
- Late winter and early spring
- How to compare FHA vs. conventional loans
- Can I renew my passport at the post office?
- What is P2P payment?
- The best term life insurance companies in March 2024
- What does it mean to invest in the S&P 500?
- What’s included in articles of incorporation
- What is a business credit score?
- 11 best investments right now
- Is inheritance taxable?
- The best money-making apps
- Types of ETFs
- Best place to exchange currency: Your bank or credit union
- What are estimated tax payments?
- How FICO 10 and FICO 10T are different
- Lottery tax calculator
- How to make money online
- 22 popular tax deductions and tax breaks
- Compare car insurance rates by age
- Why buy dividend stocks?
- How much are closing costs?
- Best life insurance for children in March 2024
- How are dividends taxed?
- Where USAA stands out
- Know how to make student loan payments
- The Gold Card’s features
- How the home sale tax exemption works
- How put options work
- 3 steps to see if changing CDs is worth it
- Different types of life insurance
- Best car insurance in California overall: Travelers
- How do lottery taxes work?
- What is the dividend tax rate?
- AmEx Delta travel insurance benefits and limits
- Bank of America joint account
- How we ranked the top life insurers
- Is there a federal inheritance tax?
- Communication and automation tools
- Holiday weekends
- How P2P payments work
- How FICA tax works
- When will lenders start using FICO 10 and 10T?
- Step 2: Compare types of health insurance plans
- Are auto loan interest rates rising?
- February
- How to file articles of incorporation
- How are business credit scores calculated?
- Where USAA falls short
- Apply for a passport in person at USPS
- Another money-change option: Online currency converters
- When are estimated taxes due?
- Clover Health Medicare star ratings
- 2. Is Accor Live Limitless free?
- Should I buy stocks when markets are at all-time highs?
- Dividend vs. growth stocks
- Is it a good deal?
- What are AI stocks?
- Term life insurance
- State availability
- How to determine your closing costs
- How might FICO 10 affect your score?
- What are qualified dividends?
- Types of tax transcripts
- How to use average car interest rates
- Wells Fargo joint account
- Inheritance taxes vs. estate taxes
- Use a budget planner
- Who qualifies for the home sales tax exclusion?
- Buying a put option
- Best life insurance for children: Pros and cons
- What is withholding tax?
- How are dividends paid out?
- How Net 30 shows up in reporting
- Best California auto insurance for your budget: Auto Club of SoCal
- Where to exchange currency outside the U.S.
- Do I have to pay state tax on lottery winnings?
- March
- Best term life insurance policies for 2024
- Do personal credit scores affect business credit scores?
- USAA home insurance coverage
- Best travel insurance overall: Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection
- Start paying student loans early to save money
- How to avoid paying bank fees while traveling
- All year
- Which P2P payment service should you use?
- Estimated tax payments 2024
- Try a simple budgeting plan
- Other payroll tax items you may hear about
- Keys to a higher score on the FICO 10 and 10T
- How to invest in the S&P 500 in two steps:
- Where to file articles of incorporation
- Closing costs calculator
- What does Clover Health Medicare Advantage cost?
- 1. High-yield savings accounts
- 6 types of dividends
- Is Net 30 right for your business?
- Why do I have to pay FICA tax?
- Capital One joint account
- 3. What benefits come with elite status?
- What is a good business credit score?
- Using the mortgage points calculator
- Who pays the closing costs?
- How to renew a passport with USPS
- Who should make estimated quarterly tax payments?
- How to look good no matter what score lenders use
- Whole life insurance
- States that have estate taxes, inheritance taxes or both:
- Lower your payment if necessary
- How much should you spend on a mattress?
- Where to avoid exchanging currency
- Should I take a lump sum payment or annuity payments?
- April
- How to invest in AI stocks
- USAA home insurance rates
- Best car insurance in California for customer complaints: Amica
- Are P2P payments safe?
- Skip currency exchange: Use a credit or debit card
- How to claim AmEx travel insurance
- What to do after filing
- Watch out for capital gains taxes
- Is United’s basic economy worth it?
- Mattress-buying tips
- What to look for in Airbnb listings
- Online joint bank accounts
- 4. How many points do you earn?
- Dividend tax rate 2023
- Expedited passport services
- How to safely make and receive P2P payments
- How do I deal with lottery taxes?
- How do I get a copy of my actual tax return?
- May
- How to find AI ETFs
- Discounts
- Track loan forgiveness eligibility
- Best California car insurance for ease of use: State Farm
- Buying a put option vs. short selling
- 2. Certificates of deposit
- 3 ways to avoid inheritance tax
- Best for emergency medical coverage: Allianz Global Assistance
- Step 3: Compare health plan networks
- Available Medicare Advantage plans
- How much does it cost to invest in the S&P 500?
- Universal life insurance
- How to calculate quarterly estimated taxes
- Dividend tax rate 2024
- Are there other ways to get tax records?
- What if the card benefits aren’t enough?
- Things to consider when opening a joint bank account
- What else you need to know
- Track your USPS renewal passport process
- How quickly do P2P payments post to the recipient's account?
- Consumer complaints
- Some helpful links from the IRS
- Full list of the top auto insurance companies in California
- Bottom Line
- What else to consider
- Exchange frequently? Consider a multicurrency account
- How to report dividend income on your taxes
- June
- 3. Bonds
- What do P2P payments cost?
- Clover Health Medicare Advantage service area
- Could we be in an AI bubble?
- How to evaluate dividends
- Closing costs for the buyer
- Calculating capital gains tax on a home sale
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card travel insurance, recapped
- 5. Can you transfer miles and points to ALL?
- Why do I need a business credit score?
- Consumer experience
- How to control your dividend tax bill
- Variable life insurance
- Frequently asked questions about P2P payments
- The best place to exchange currency at the end of your trip
- Step 4: Compare out-of-pocket costs
- July
- How do I get my business credit score?
- Best for travelers with pre-existing medical conditions: Travel Guard by AIG
- How do ETFs work?
- How to estimate taxes for an income tax extension
- Once you're ready to reserve an Airbnb
- Where to exchange currency: Frequently asked questions
- 6. Where else can you redeem points?
- USAA vs. competitors
- Will you owe capital gains taxes on your home sale?
- Should you invest in AI stocks?
- Should I invest in an S&P 500 index fund or S&P 500 ETF?
- August
- How to pay estimated taxes
- Important considerations when opening a Roth IRA
- Burial insurance
- Final thoughts on the different United economy fare classes
- The bottom line
- How to book an Airbnb under 25
- How to avoid capital gains tax on home sales
- Compare car insurance rates by driver history
- Are dividends taxed?
- ETF creation and redemption
- Selling a put option
- Are there drawbacks to investing in the S&P 500?
- Airbnb reservations are easy
- September
- Best for those who pack expensive equipment: Travel Insured International
- Next steps
- Frequently asked questions about estimated tax payments
- How much do ETFs cost?
- Step 5: Compare benefits
- 4. Money market funds
- Other types of life insurance
- FHA vs. conventional loans: Summary
- How taxes on real estate, rental, and investment sales work
- October
- Alternatives for the best life insurance for kids
- ETFs vs. mutual funds vs. stocks
- The bottom line
- Is there an over-55 home sale exemption?
- More about top-rated life insurance companies
- 7. Do Accor Live Limitless points expire?
- Different types of life insurance by underwriting
- 5. Mutual funds
- November
- Best for adventurous travelers: World Nomads
- Call vs. put options
- What are tax deductions?
- Is Accor Live Limitless worth it?
- Summary: How to choose health insurance
- 6. Index funds
- December
- The four options market participants and their incentives
- Closing costs for the seller
- Advantages of put options
- What are tax write-offs?
- Best for medical coverage: Travelex Insurance Services
- How to find the right ETFs for your portfolio
- Which type of life insurance should you get?
- How to find the best term life insurance company
- How to make money from home
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- 7. Exchange-traded funds
- How do you claim tax deductions?
- How to invest in ETFs
- Cheapest car insurance by state
- 8. Stocks
- Best if you have travel credit card coverage: Seven Corners
- More about term life insurance
- How to get cheap car insurance
- Risks of getting cheap auto insurance
- More about top-rated life insurance companies
- Do ETFs pay dividends?
- Best for long-term travelers: IMG
- Can you sell an ETF at any time?
- How to make money offline
- 9. Alternative investments
- Related articles
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- 10. Cryptocurrency
- Best for travelers with unpredictable work demands: Tin Leg
- How to compare car insurance rates
- 11. Real estate
- How to choose the best investments in 2024
- Best for booking travel with points and miles: TravelSafe
- Best for group travel insurance: HTH Insurance
- Types of travel insurance
- How to choose an insurance company
- Watch out for making money scams
- What does travel insurance cover?
- What’s not covered?
- How much does it cost?
- Do I need travel insurance?
- How to choose the best travel insurance policy
- What are the top travel destinations in 2024?
- More resources for travel insurance shoppers
- Methodology
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.