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.
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- Compare types of bank accounts
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- Money market account vs. CD: The difference
- How much is the average electric bill?
- 50/30/20 budget calculator
- Create a budget plan that works for you
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- 1. Make extra payments toward the principal
- Discounts for smart-home devices
- January
- How do credit union loans work?
- Mortgage payoff considerations
- When should you add an additional insured?
- 6 things to do if your rental car is involved in accident
- In this article
- How much do Instagram influencers make?
- 15 franchise opportunities
- Summary of cash advance apps
- 11 best investments right now
- Why you need a savings account
- How much is car insurance?
- What is the 50/30/20 rule?
- What happened at the MOHELA Senate hearing
- When to choose a money market account over a CD
- Superpower 1: You can get triple tax benefits
- How does Bitcoin work?
- How to Refer-A-Friend with Chase
- What you need to know about savings accounts
- How can I budget for my electric bill?
- How many Instagram followers do you need to make money?
- 1. Brigit: Best for budgeting tools
- 2. Refinance if you have good credit and a steady job
- Best credit union personal loans for 2024
- Citi ThankYou® points: The basics
- Superpower 2: You don’t have to spend the money
- February
- When to choose a CD over a money market account
- How do you add an additional insured?
- How to monetize your Instagram with fewer followers
- How does Bitcoin make money?
- Savings accounts with strong APYs can help your money grow
- How we got here
- What to consider when you're referring
- Use a budget planner
- When to choose a savings account instead
- Superpower 3: Any withdrawal could potentially be tax-free
- How to lower your electric bill
- How much does it cost to add an additional insured?
- March
- 5 ways to make money on Instagram
- 2. Empower: Best for fast cash
- You decide: Is Bitcoin a good investment?
- How a savings account works: withdrawal limits
- How much are Citi ThankYou® points worth?
- Best car insurance companies: Our winners
- What it means for your money
- What is a blanket additional insured endorsement?
- 1. High-yield savings accounts
- How much is car insurance in my state?
- Superpower 4: You can jump-start your kids’ retirement
- 3. Enroll in autopay
- April
- How many banks have collapsed?
- Preparing for financial setbacks
- How much to keep in your savings account
- Get more help with monthly budget planning
- 3. EarnIn: Best for large advances
- How to apply with a Refer-A-Friend link
- 4. Make biweekly payments
- Storing your Bitcoins: Hot wallets vs. cold wallets
- May
- Alternatives to savings accounts
- Credit union personal loan rates
- 2. Certificates of deposit
- Why did First Republic Bank fail?
- 5. Pay off capitalized interest
- How much is car insurance by company?
- 4. Varo: Best for existing bank customers
- June
- 3. Bonds
- How to get a loan from a credit union
- 6. Stick to the standard repayment plan
- Why did Silicon Valley Bank fail?
- Why insurance companies reward smart-home devices
- Where to find the best savings accounts
- July
- 5. Dave: Best for repayment flexibility
- 7. Use 'found' money
- Credit union vs. online lender
- Should you buy smart-home devices?
- How much is auto insurance based on your driving record?
- Why did Signature Bank fail?
- August
- 6. MoneyLion: Best for existing customers
- Credit cards that earn ThankYou points
- Next steps
- What’s happening with Silvergate Capital Corp.?
- September
- What happened to Credit Suisse?
- 7. SoLo Funds: Best for peer-to-peer cash advances
- 4. Money market funds
- October
- Are other banks are in trouble?
- Financing your franchise
- 8. Klover: Best for no-fee advances
- How to prepare now for a potential accident in a rental car
- Should I take my money out of the bank?
- 5. Mutual funds
- November
- The bottom line
- Are we in a recession?
- 6. Index funds
- Pros and cons of loan apps
- December
- Industry franchise guides
- Are we headed for a depression?
- How much is auto insurance for good and poor credit?
- 7. Exchange-traded funds
- Are cash advance apps payday lenders?
- Are apps like DailyPay and Payactiv cash advance apps?
- 8. Stocks
- Alternatives to cash advance apps
- The fine print
- How much is auto insurance based on age?
- 9. Alternative investments
- Cash advance app star rating methodology
- 10. Cryptocurrency
- Full list of the best car insurance companies
- How much is auto insurance based on gender?
- 11. Real estate
- Best car insurance companies by state
- How much is auto insurance based on vehicle type?
- How to choose the best investments in 2024
- How to find the best car insurance
- What else affects my car insurance cost?
- How to get cheap car insurance
- Why you can trust NerdWallet
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.