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.
- See how to get your business started quickly
- What is the average stock market return?
- 6 steps to opening a Roth IRA
- What is IRMAA?
- Compare Medicare Part D plans
- Still deciding on the right carrier? Compare Medigap plans
- What is a 1040 form?
- What are Treasury notes?
- Compare types of bank accounts
- Definitions: Money Transfer Rates
- The Hartford business insurance
- Charles Schwab is best for:
- Robinhood is best for:
- See CD rates by term and type
- Top stock gainers today
- Ideal ingredients for credit-building
- A potentially challenging recipe
- How to file taxes for free
- 2023 Ohio state income tax rates and tax brackets (taxes filed in 2024)
- What is passive income?
- Where to sell a junk car
- High-dividend ETFs may generate income
- Determining how much mortgage I can afford
- What is a credit freeze?
- What are dividend stocks?
- What is a 529 plan?
- What companies are included in the S&P 500?
- The American Airlines experience in Las Vegas
- How is the Medicare IRMAA calculated?
- What ANA miles are worth
- The benefits of a one-card lifestyle
- Credit card basics
- Microsoft Office Excel budget templates
- First steps: Before you accept a job offer
- What is a financial planner?
- Institutions with low or no overdraft fees
- Grace periods are based on billing cycles
- Are free credit monitoring services any good?
- American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® benefits
- Types of savings accounts
- Spotify Free
- What is an IRS IP PIN?
- First, what type of financial help are you looking for?
- What is a sole proprietorship?
- If you have great credit
- Wells Fargo equipment finance: Everything you need to know
- Defining low income
- 7 of the best apps to make money
- When is a payment marked late on credit reports?
- Can you withdraw money from a 401(k) early?
- Most profitable small businesses
- What is the child tax credit?
- Calculate your closing costs
- Frugal food tips
- What are credit freezes and credit locks?
- Why is having a low credit utilization important?
- What is a health savings account (HSA)?
- What goes into the credit card interest calculation
- Impulse buying definition
- How to manage your money
- What is net worth?
- The best budget apps
- Minimum wage over time
- Life insurance calculator
- Average car loan interest rates by credit score
- Where to buy spot Bitcoin ETFs
- 50/30/20 budget calculator
- Defining some health insurance terms
- General advice for international money transfers
- Robinhood at a glance
- Bank of America CD rates
- How do CDs work?
- Top 8 small business loans in Georgia
- Where are Medicare Cost plans available?
- January
- 1. Clean up your credit
- Government startup business grants and resources
- 17 passive income ideas for 2024
- How to earn ANA Mileage Club miles
- How to compare FHA vs. conventional loans
- Ways to pay yourself: Salary vs. owner’s draw
- Late winter and early spring
- You’ll get less
- How to spot origination fees
- The rental car drought
- 1. Sell to a third-party dealer
- 1. There are two Merrick Bank credit cards
- What’s included with a Disney trip payment plan?
- Average online personal loan rates
- 4 easy ways to start investing with little money
- How do credit union loans work?
- You’ll likely be charged fees
- How digital wallets work
- 8 steps to open a car detailing business
- How to budget money
- Shopify vs. Etsy: Deciding factors
- Bank of America interest rates
- Charles Schwab at a glance
- Normalize the feeling
- The value of AAdvantage miles
- 1. Only some purchases are eligible for promotional financing
- How to send money online, on mobile or in person
- What is the 10-year Treasury?
- Steps to transfer money from one bank to another
- Tax filing status options
- What is the standard deduction?
- 7 high-dividend ETFs
- Who needs to fill out a Form 1040?
- Book an award trip with Alaska or its travel partners
- What is an overdraft fee?
- Breakdown of central air costs
- Finding the best credit monitoring service for you
- 1. Deposit locally, transfer electronically
- What is a business credit score?
- How to freeze your credit with all 3 bureaus
- Spotify Premium cost
- Who can get an IP PIN from the IRS?
- A deadly cocktail of speed, carelessness and mass
- Which MGM properties allow Marriott Bonvoy redemptions
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- The best money-making apps
- 4 ways to maximize the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- The Hartford business insurance: Pros and cons
- What is a dividend aristocrat?
- How do I know there's a late payment on my credit report?
- What is the 401(k) early withdrawal penalty?
- How to make money online
- How to use the car affordability calculator
- If you have private insurance
- Top daily losers in the S&P 500
- Points: Spending rewards
- Types of VA renovation loans
- Free tax filing options in 2024
- What happened at the MOHELA Senate hearing
- The average stock market return isn't always average
- Do I have to pay Ohio state income tax?
- What are the 2024 IRMAA brackets?
- 403(b) vs. IRA
- How much are closing costs?
- One-card risks to consider
- Credit freeze vs. lock
- How to lower your credit utilization
- What does a financial planner do?
- Why we impulse buy
- TransUnion credit freeze online
- 1. Take inventory of your finances
- What is the average American net worth?
- Top credit cards you can use instantly after approval
- Sole proprietorship: Pros
- How cash back works on credit cards
- 20 high-dividend stocks
- What is the 50/30/20 rule?
- What strategies has Yang used to build wealth?
- Where Shopify wins
- Do you need insurance to rent a car?
- Can you buy S&P 500 stock?
- How much is the child tax credit worth?
- The cost of replacing a stolen catalytic converter
- Google Sheets budget templates
- Regular savings accounts
- How to get an IP PIN
- YNAB, for hands-on zero-based budgeting
- Cheap car insurance
- How to buy spot Bitcoin ETFs
- What is an equipment finance loan?
- Bank wire transfer
- How Bank of America compares to online banks
- The Hartford business insurance: Types of coverage
- Can you get insurance without a car?
- 529 plan benefits
- What reasons can you withdraw from your 401(k) early?
- Best car insurance in Georgia overall: Travelers
- Different types of life insurance
- Frugal shopping tips
- When to use a credit freeze
- How to sell a junk car
- How to compare lender fees and rates
- 2. Sell to a participating dealer
- How much money do I need to buy a house?
- 2. You may need an offer by mail to apply
- 2. Buy a money order
- Grace period
- You may be offered a rollover or renewal
- State minimum wages in 2024
- How many points needed for a redemption
- If you have nonprime or near-prime credit
- More details about Bank of America CDs
- Check in with your body
- Holiday weekends
- Interest rate risk
- Information you need to freeze your credit
- Best credit union personal loans for 2024
- How to manually calculate how much life insurance you need
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Are auto loan interest rates rising?
- How to pick a digital wallet
- Cheap cities to fly to Las Vegas from
- Biden's student loan forgiveness 'plan B' would be more targeted
- 2. The APR, once charged, is sky-high
- February
- What is the 10-year treasury yield today?
- How to decide
- How do you calculate closing costs on a house?
- Benefits may be reduced if you’re still working
- One card or many?
- Head of household
- Can you live off ETF dividends?
- Think outside the airport rental counter
- What happens if you don’t pay your full balance
- If you pay for a credit monitoring service
- How are business credit scores calculated?
- Impulse buying vs. compulsive shopping
- Average net worth by age
- Investing for income: Dividend stocks vs. dividend funds
- How to get Public Service Loan Forgiveness
- The measure of low income can vary
- Bank of America CDs and other savings options
- What can I do if I slip up?
- 1. IRS Free File
- 5-year, 10-year, 20-year and 30-year S&P 500 returns
- Am I a resident for Ohio state income tax purposes?
- Tips for avoiding catalytic converter theft
- How the standard deduction works
- Overdraft protection
- 3. Get ready to pay some fees
- When are Disney World vacation payment plans due?
- 10 questions to ask financial advisors
- Does raising the minimum wage cause inflation?
- What to consider when opening CDs
- How do I find the best 529 plans?
- Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
- How to determine how much car you can afford
- How do Medicare Cost plans work?
- How we got here
- 2. Rebalance your debts and income
- Term life insurance
- NerdWallet’s budget planner
- 3. Deposit cash in a linked ATM
- Average bank personal loan rates
- How to use average car interest rates
- Wells Fargo equipment finance: Cost and terms
- The top 7 dividend aristocrats list
- Learn your triggers
- AmEx Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Deciding factors
- For people with Medicare
- Requirements: Who qualifies for the child tax credit?
- Your decision might affect a spouse
- How to fill out a 1040 form
- Can you negotiate mortgage origination fees?
- If you must rent a car
- Do I need a financial planner?
- 3. Buy your car to sell or keep
- What mortgage can I afford?
- TransUnion credit freeze by postal mail
- There may be collection calls
- What the rise in traffic fatalities means for you
- Are digital wallets safe?
- See CD rates by bank
- What does the S&P 500 measure?
- Perks: Benefits for travelers
- 3. The card isn’t accepted everywhere
- Best Georgia car insurance for your budget: Auto-Owners
- Are Treasury notes a good investment?
- What is a flexible spending account (FSA)?
- Average daily balance
- 2. Build a money management blueprint
- Do all workers earn at least the minimum wage?
- An alternative perspective to FIRE
- Programs that use the federal poverty level
- Other tips to book cheap AAdvantage flights to Las Vegas
- March
- All year
- Frugal entertainment tips
- When to use a credit lock
- Types of credit cards
- How to invest in dividend ETFs
- Overdraft fees by institution
- 4. Neither card offers perks
- Avoid credit bureaus' products
- 4. Load cash on a reloadable prepaid debit card
- Do personal credit scores affect business credit scores?
- How to calculate your net worth
- 4 more ways to estimate how much life insurance you need
- Marriott Bonvoy elite status benefits
- The moral: Be careful before applying
- Bitcoin ETF definition
- Cash App
- Who needs non-owner car insurance?
- About Bank of America
- 529 plans by state
- How do Medicare Cost plans differ from Medicare Advantage plans?
- 4. You won’t earn any ongoing rewards
- Price vs. yield
- How to claim the child tax credit
- You can collect at ages other than 62, 67 or 70
- You can effectively double your grace period
- Try a simple budgeting plan
- Coinsurance vs. copay
- Look for ways to reset
- Higher Education Act justifies plan B
- What it means for your money
- What to expect the stock market to return
- Startup business grants from private companies and nonprofits
- How to set up an IRA
- Standard deduction 2023
- The Federal Trade Commission’s budget worksheet
- Types of financial planners
- Money market accounts
- How to unfreeze your credit
- TransUnion credit freeze by phone
- Wells Fargo equipment finance: Minimum requirements
- Dividend kings vs. aristocrats
- 3. Don’t ask for too much cash
- Don't forget to check the limits to savings withdrawals
- Know what your car is worth
- Glossary of overdraft terms
- Can you book Disney tickets on a payment plan?
- Average credit union personal loan rates
- Why is net worth important?
- Goodbudget, for hands-on envelope budgeting
- You may be taken to court
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Sole proprietorship: Cons
- CASH BACK CREDIT CARDS
- Where Etsy wins
- How long does a late payment stay on my credit report?
- Rental car insurance vs. your own auto insurance
- If you want to fly American Airlines to Las Vegas
- 5. Pre-qualify without affecting your credit score
- How much should you pay yourself?
- When to estimate closing costs
- What do I need to fill out Form 1040?
- How does Spotify fit into your budget?
- 5 ways to limit impulse buying
- Lifting a TransUnion credit freeze
- What does generational wealth mean to Yang?
- Copay vs. deductible
- What is the average return of the S&P 500?
- How much should you spend on a mattress?
- Whole life insurance
- Qualifying surviving spouse
- Frugal DIY project tips
- How to buy T-Notes:
- Know the limits of credit monitoring services
- How do HSA and FSA contributions work?
- What is a good business credit score?
- Prepaid 529 plans by state
- What does a Medicare Cost plan cover?
- April
- What is Ohio’s standard deduction?
- Best Georgia car insurance for customer complaints: Country Financial
- Set up automatic transfers to boost your savings yields
- Standard deduction 2024 (taxes filed 2025)
- How to get overdraft fees waived
- A word of caution
- 5. There are no other Merrick Bank credit cards to graduate to
- Other ways to save money at Disney World
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
- How to invest in dividend stocks
- Bitcoin ETF pros
- Most popular cash back card reviews
- Other low-income guidelines and programs to note
- How many banks have collapsed?
- How to invest in dividend aristocrats
- Take the first step to regain control
- Will making a partial payment keep me from being reported late?
- Don’t count on this student loan forgiveness yet
- For Medicaid beneficiaries
- 2. Free tax software
- Additional child tax credit
- You can take retirement savings first
- More ways to take charge of your budget
- Certificates of deposit, or CDs
- Frequently asked questions about IRS IP PINs
- How to increase your net worth
- What states are increasing minimum wages in 2024?
- Coinsurance vs. deductible
- Why is the 10-year Treasury yield important?
- Mistakes to avoid while paying yourself
- Mattress-buying tips
- Book with money and miles
- Get more help with monthly budget planning
- Other cash back card reviews
- Google Pay
- How can I avoid late payments?
- What’s the difference between the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500?
- Payment options and protections
- 4. Consider a co-signer
- Do I still have to pay the IRMAA if I choose Medicare Advantage?
- What do closing costs include?
- Download Form 1040
- How to accept a job offer
- Next steps:
- Are current personal loan rates high?
- Interest rate
- What’s the filing deadline for my Ohio state income tax bill?
- How to send money to others
- How to negotiate with a payday lender
- Bitcoin ETF cons
- How it all works together
- How to find local and state low-income assistance programs
- Consider the costs of cashing out your 401(k)
- May
- Best Georgia car insurance for ease of use: State Farm
- Standard deduction for those 65 or older
- Frugal home expenses tips
- How do I access the money in my FSA or HSA account?
- Wells Fargo equipment finance: How to apply
- Dividend aristocrats ETFs
- Am I eligible for a Medicare Cost plan?
- Are 10-year Treasury notes a good investment?
- 5 things to know about Ohio state tax
- When to expect your child tax credit refund
- Married filing jointly
- How to freeze your child’s credit
- Credit union personal loan rates
- Minimum wage increases
- How much does The Hartford business insurance cost?
- Ready to get started?
- Universal life insurance
- No-closing-cost mortgages
- Which Form 1040 schedules should I use?
- Similar to savings accounts
- What if I don't use all the money?
- Citi Custom Cash® Card
- How to get started
- Other ways to invest in Bitcoin
- How do I find out if the Medicare IRMAA applies to me?
- Reasons to get a credit card
- What to consider before you begin investing
- What is the median household income in the U.S.?
- The catch: Your health plan's network
- Why did First Republic Bank fail?
- Exclusive perks for cardholders
- 5. Use collateral to secure the loan
- How to redeem ANA Mileage Club miles
- Use miles to book hotels
- 3 tips to control central air conditioning installation costs
- American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Mastercard benefits summed up
- EveryDollar, for simple zero-based budgeting
- PayPal
- Shopify vs. Etsy: Pricing
- How do I enroll in a Medicare Cost plan?
- How do you buy 10-year Treasury notes?
- 2024 child tax credit news update
- Full list of the best car insurance companies in Georgia
- Days in the cycle
- Other options if you can't pay a payday loan
- Learn how to start your business
- Ways to redeem cash back
- Wells Fargo equipment finance: The pros and cons
- TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS
- Should you purchase business insurance from The Hartford?
- Ex-dividend dates
- For the uninsured
- June
- When should you freeze your credit?
- 3. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
- How to get a loan from a credit union
- Tips for calculating how much life insurance you need
- Reconsideration for PSLF applications
- Do you pay tax on T-notes?
- How do I pay the Medicare IRMAA surcharge?
- Seller-paid closing costs
- Standard deduction for dependents
- Upgrade to first class
- Pros and cons of the new partnership
- Why did Silicon Valley Bank fail?
- Home renovation loan alternatives
- 6. Find the right lender
- Variable life insurance
- Final steps: What to do after you accept a job offer
- Financial planner vs. financial advisor
- Why do I need a business credit score?
- What's next
- General-purpose travel card reviews
- How to redeem rewards on the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Alternatives to The Hartford business insurance
- Who shouldn’t buy non-owner car insurance
- Finding a car you can afford
- Next Steps
- Interest-based passive income ideas
- Married filing separately
- Costs of carrying a credit card
- Why lenders charge different personal loan rates
- Cons of a credit freeze
- What's next?
- Term vs. whole life insurance tool
- Are these the best dividend stocks?
- Other small business loans for Georgia entrepreneurs
- Using your credit card for rental car coverage
- July
- What to do if your catalytic converter is stolen
- Request a free stopover
- How to finance central air installation
- U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
- Doing the math on copays, coinsurance and deductibles
- Venmo
- The complete list of dividend aristocrats
- When can't you take the standard deduction?
- Learn more
- How do I get my business credit score?
- Credit union vs. online lender
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Wells Fargo equipment finance vs. equipment leasing
- Disney World payment plans recapped
- Consequences of a child tax credit error
- Other types of 1040 tax forms
- Other ways to use your Alaska Airlines miles
- Credit freeze or credit lock?
- Empower Personal Dashboard, for tracking wealth and spending
- Can I appeal the Medicare IRMAA if I don't think it applies to me?
- Why did Signature Bank fail?
- Buying rental car insurance on your own
- August
- How much is my 2023 standard deduction?
- 3. Make the most of your savings
- Wells Fargo equipment finance alternatives
- Important considerations when opening a Roth IRA
- Burial insurance
- Tips for effective credit card use
- How is your personal loan rate decided?
- Who can access your frozen credit reports?
- Airline credit card reviews
- Walmart2Walmart
- State child tax credits
- Ways to earn Marriott points and status
- Shopify vs. Etsy: Which is right for your business?
- 4. GetYourRefund.org
- Next steps
- What’s happening with Silvergate Capital Corp.?
- September
- What is the $500 credit for other dependents (ODC)?
- Single
- Job offer acceptance email example
- Is Wells Fargo equipment finance right for your business?
- Where to buy non-owner car insurance
- 2023 vs. 2024 standard deduction
- U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
- One-time IDR account adjustment for PSLF borrowers
- What happened to Credit Suisse?
- How to get a business loan in Georgia: Preparing your loan application
- Child tax credit vs. child and dependent care credit
- Hotel credit card reviews
- Small-business incubator programs
- Marriott Bonvoy is the newest key to unlock MGM Hotels stays
- Western Union
- How ANA elite status works
- FHA vs. conventional loans: Summary
- Other types of life insurance
- When to claim the standard deduction
- PocketGuard, for a simplified budgeting snapshot
- October
- Car rental insurance: The bottom line
- U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card
- How much is non-owner car insurance?
- Are other banks are in trouble?
- The bottom line
- 5. Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)
- Credit cards for other travel brands
- Reconsideration for rejected PSLF applications
- Different types of life insurance by underwriting
- Should I take my money out of the bank?
- November
- Alternatives to startup business grants
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
- Zelle:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. AmEx Platinum: Minor features to consider
- Are we in a recession?
- How to get a small business loan in Georgia: The bottom line
- Honeydue, for budgeting with a partner
- OTHER REWARDS CREDIT CARDS
- Don't qualify for PSLF? You have other options for relief
- December
- 6. MilTax
- 4. Be persistent
- Most popular
- Are we headed for a depression?
- Cheapest car insurance by state
- Prime Visa
- What to know about the best ways to send money
- Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card
- Others
- Which type of life insurance should you get?
- 7. Direct File
- Budgeting resources from NerdWallet
- How to make money from home
- The best life insurance companies in April 2024
- Who might prefer AmEx Platinum over Chase Sapphire Reserve
- What it's like flying ANA
- How to get cheap car insurance
- BALANCE TRANSFER AND 0% CREDIT CARDS
- Methodology to identify the best budget apps
- Other notable options
- Risks of getting cheap auto insurance
- Target Circle™ Credit Card
- If you fly ANA airlines this year
- Major issuers and their policies on instant credit access
- STORE AND RETAILER BRAND CREDIT CARDS
- Most popular retailer brand credit cards
- How to make money offline
- Other retailer brand credit cards
- Capital One® Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard®
- Other ways to save money
- CREDIT BUILDER CREDIT CARDS
- Secured credit card reviews
- PlayStation Visa Credit Card
- Unsecured credit builder card reviews
- How to start a profitable business
- COLLEGE STUDENT CREDIT CARDS
- Best Buy credit cards
- SMALL BUSINESS CREDIT CARDS
- Most popular small business card reviews
- Other small business card reviews
- Xbox Mastercard
- DEFUNCT OR UNAVAILABLE CREDIT CARDS
- 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.