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 custodial Roth IRA?
- Life insurance buying guide
- Definition of a stock
- Find the right Medicare Supplement Insurance plan
- Still deciding on the right carrier? Compare Medigap plans
- Quick tips for where to exchange currency
- 1. Go to a museum, aquarium or zoo
- What is a credit freeze?
- What is a spot Bitcoin ETF?
- What is a VA home loan?
- What are dividend stocks?
- What is a savings account?
- What is United TravelBank? How does it work?
- 7 of the best apps to make money
- What is a conforming loan?
- 1. The best credit cards aren’t for beginners
- Can you refinance a home equity loan?
- What to know about American Airlines delayed flight compensation
- 8 types of car insurance (plus 1)
- Custodial Roth IRA rules
- How to use the mutual fund calculator
- 1. Ibotta
- Frugal food tips
- What does a real estate lawyer do?
- 1. Both cards earn 5% back on Houzz purchases ...
- What is Frontier Airlines like?
- 1. Reward social media sharing
- January
- Best ways to consolidate credit card debt
- What is adjusted gross income (AGI)?
- Best Medicare Supplement Insurance companies
- Our picks for the best life insurance companies in April 2024
- How to find a currency exchange near you
- What is the gift tax?
- When to book United awards through partner programs
- Business cash management accounts
- Best overall: MetLife
- How to consolidate your debt
- 2. Read a book
- Take a coronavirus hardship withdrawal
- How to freeze your credit with all 3 bureaus
- Mint vs. NerdWallet at a glance
- Top 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs by fee
- How stocks work
- How does a VA home loan work?
- 1. You can use the card only for eligible subscription payments
- What is the federal solar tax credit?
- The best money-making apps
- How to track your refund status with ‘Where's My Refund?’
- Does Southwest charge to change flights?
- In short: 3 revenue sources
- What is a business credit score?
- 1. It has a sign-up bonus
- Heating and cooling
- How to make money online
- If you have private insurance
- How does supplemental life insurance work?
- Why you need a savings account
- What happened to gas prices in March?
- 22 popular tax deductions and tax breaks
- Conforming loan limits 2024
- Can I get life insurance with HIV?
- What happened at the MOHELA Senate hearing
- When will home equity loan rates come down?
- 20 high-dividend stocks
- 2. Leverage brand ambassadors
- 3. Catch a movie
- What to know about United TravelBank
- Ladder life insurance
- How we ranked the top life insurers
- Our take
- Cheap car insurance
- Frontier Miles, Frontier’s loyalty program
- Liability insurance
- What you need to know about savings accounts
- Withdraw your Roth contributions
- How to open a custodial Roth IRA for kids
- 2. There's no credit check or APR, and it aims to build credit quickly
- Best place to exchange currency: Your bank or credit union
- 2. A security deposit makes a credit card easier to get
- 2. The Coupons App
- Frugal shopping tips
- 2. ... But rewards are redeemable only toward Houzz purchases
- 3. Consider an employee perspective
- Information you need to freeze your credit
- Best for Medigap plan options: AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medicare Supplement Insurance
- MOHELA administrative forbearance
- 2. It earns Citi ThankYou points
- How the annual gift tax exclusion works
- February
- Take a short-term loan from your IRA
- How to calculate adjusted gross income
- Learn more
- Solar tax credit 2024
- Which Southwest fares can be refunded?
- How are business credit scores calculated?
- 2024 conforming loan limits by county
- Should you hire a real estate attorney?
- Why you may want to refinance
- Best budget pick for dogs: Lemonade
- Debt consolidation calculator
- Investing for income: Dividend stocks vs. dividend funds
- 4. Have fun with interactive content
- 4. Play a game inside
- Other alternatives to Mint
- Why are gas prices going up?
- VA home loan eligibility
- Our tips
- Savings accounts with strong APYs can help your money grow
- Borrow from your 401(k)
- 5 reasons why a Roth IRA can be right for minors
- Ladder life insurance policies
- How does the solar tax credit work?
- Best life insurance companies: Pros and cons
- When will I get my 2024 tax refund?
- Conforming loan benefits
- What type of life insurance can I get with HIV?
- How we got here
- Other factors to consider
- For people with Medicare
- 5. Let your customers peek behind the scenes
- 5. Play a game outside
- What is a Bitcoin strategy ETF?
- How to stocks earn a return
- Another money-change option: online currency converters
- 3. Your first credit card can build your credit — or ruin it
- Administrative forbearance for other student loan servicers
- 3. It can be paired with another Ava product
- Long story: It's complicated
- 3. ShopSavvy
- 3. Both cards come with a sign-up bonus
- When debt consolidation is a smart move
- 6. Play game show host
- March
- 6. Volunteer
- Withdraw from your IRA
- How to apply for a VA home loan
- Is the solar tax credit refundable?
- 2024 tax refund schedule
- When you can change your Southwest flights
- Do personal credit scores affect business credit scores?
- 3. You can earn up to $240 in annual statement credits — with some strings attached
- Frugal entertainment tips
- How a savings account works: withdrawal limits
- Top 8 Bitcoin strategy ETFs by fee
- Ladder customer complaints and satisfaction
- Best for member satisfaction: State Farm Medicare Supplement Insurance
- Best budget pick for cats: Embrace
- Personal injury protection and medical payments coverage
- 7. Put a face to the brand
- 7. Visit the farmers market
- Ask for a hardship withdrawal
- How to unfreeze your credit
- Where to find your AGI on your 1040
- 4. You’ll pay a monthly fee
- Where to exchange currency outside the U.S.
- Episode transcript
- How do I check my tax return status?
- What is a nonconforming loan?
- 4. You can see the rates and fees before applying
- Water
- What it means for your money
- Pros and cons of refinancing a home equity loan
- How Ladder compares to other insurers
- What state has the highest gas prices?
- Best life insurance company overall: MassMutual
- How to rebook your Southwest flight at a cheaper fare
- How much will a real estate attorney cost?
- 4. You can access your credit line instantly
- Gift tax limit 2024
- 8. Use LinkedIn Groups to expand your network
- 8. Go thrift shopping
- Key things to know about stocks
- Sweet v. Cardona administrative forbearance
- Pros and cons of VA home loans
- Types of supplemental life insurance
- More about Ladder
- 5. There’s no traditional card to graduate to
- How do you qualify for the federal solar tax credit?
- Why haven't I received my tax refund?
- What is a good business credit score?
- How to qualify for life insurance with HIV
- 4. Target (with Target Circle)
- Frugal DIY project tips
- 9. Partner with a fellow small-business owner
- April
- 9. Go for a walk
- The significance of adjusted gross income
- The Bitcoin ETF price war
- What does this mean for you?
- 4. You can redeem points for an additional statement credit
- 5. The Houzz Credit Card offers special financing
- For Medicaid beneficiaries
- What is a business cash management account?
- Is it a good idea to consolidate credit cards?
- How to invest in dividend stocks
- 5. Credit card fees are avoidable
- Finding a real estate attorney
- What you’ll need before refinancing
- Gift tax limit 2023
- Best for comprehensive coverage: ASPCA
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages
- 10. Give back
- How much to keep in your savings account
- 10. Take a hike
- Additional functionality
- Best for premium discounts: Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement Insurance
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness administrative forbearance
- What state has the lowest gas prices?
- Where to avoid exchanging currency
- Do you need supplemental life insurance?
- How does a debt consolidation loan work?
- Do spot Bitcoin ETFs have custodianship risk?
- 5. CouponCabin
- 11. Create an eye-catching display
- 11. Ride a bike
- Best life insurance company for applicants with HIV: Guardian
- Skip currency exchange: Use a credit or debit card
- Estimate your 2024 IRS tax refund date
- 6. Interest is completely avoidable, too
- Refinancing your primary mortgage with a home equity loan
- How the lifetime gift tax exclusion works
- Benefits of a business cash management account
- Do debt consolidation loans hurt your credit?
- May
- What is the VA loan limit?
- 5. You'll probably do better with a different card
- Frugal home expenses tips
- Who should avoid Frontier Airlines?
- 12. Hit the streets
- Alternatives to savings accounts
- How to freeze your child’s credit
- What is your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI)?
- When debt consolidation isn't worth it
- 12. Sleep in the woods
- What other projects are eligible for the residential clean energy credit?
- Cost of life insurance for people living with HIV
- 7. You can — and should! — pay more than the minimum
- 6. PayPal Honey
- Full list of the best pet insurance in California
- 13. Engage with your community
- What do the approvals mean for Bitcoin?
- Finding a lender
- Collision and comprehensive coverages
- 13. Gaze at the stars
- Best for extra benefits: Anthem Medicare Supplement Insurance
- How are gas prices determined?
- Where's my 2024 state tax refund? Track your status
- If you’re considering flying Frontier Airlines
- How much supplemental life insurance do you need?
- How to search United saver award availability
- 14. Plan an event
- Refinancing a VA home loan
- 8. Paying late comes at a high cost
- For the uninsured
- 2024 lifetime gift tax exemption
- Drawbacks of a business cash management account
- June
- 14. Listen to music
- When should you freeze your credit?
- How do you claim the solar tax credit?
- Best life insurance company for consumer experience: Northwestern Mutual
- Best life insurance companies for people with HIV
- Alternatives to home equity loans
- Cheap pet insurance in California
- 15. Welcome new neighbors
- Best custodial Roth IRAs
- How to get a tax refund sooner
- Power and lighting
- 15. Make some music
- Exchange frequently? Consider a multicurrency account
- 7. Dosh
- 16. Use email
- Where to find the best savings accounts
- How to use United TravelBank
- Types of VA home loans
- Why do I need a business credit score?
- How to get life insurance with HIV
- 9. Getting too close to your limit can sink your credit score
- 16. Make something
- Cons of a credit freeze
- What do the approvals mean for other crypto investments?
- Does the solar tax credit work with other incentives?
- American Airlines delayed flight compensation recapped
- Who pays the gift tax?
- Gap insurance
- Are these the best dividend stocks?
- 17. Start a podcast
- July
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- Types of gas
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- 17. Learn a new skill
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- 10. Dealing with credit card fraud isn’t as difficult as it sounds
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- 18. Start a blog
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- Best life insurance company for coverage amounts: New York Life
- 18. Exercise
- Credit freeze or credit lock?
- Why you can trust NerdWallet
- 19. Host a webinar
- Currency exchange: Frequently asked questions
- Is the gift tax deductible?
- August
- 19. Have a potluck
- Is United TravelBank worth it?
- How to get cheap Southwest flights when rebooking
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- 20. Find opportunities to share your voice
- Who can access your frozen credit reports?
- Medigap plan types
- 11. If you’re rejected for a credit card, the issuer will tell you why
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- Other car insurance types
- 20. Do something productive
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- 21. Serve as an expert media source
- After deciding
- Best life insurance company for permanent life insurance: Pacific Life
- 22. Maintain your Yelp page
- September
- 21. Host a yard sale
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- Common gift tax return triggers
- 23. Target industry-specific review sites
- What is credit card consolidation?
- 22. Engage with your community
- 24. Invest in low-cost Facebook advertising
- Does the president control gas prices?
- October
- How does credit card consolidation work?
- 25. Sell online
- Best life insurance company for customer satisfaction: State Farm
- 26. Try guerrilla marketing
- How does the Israel-Hamas war affect gas prices?
- What are tax deductions?
- 27. Hand out business cards
- November
- Is consolidating credit card debt a good idea?
- Other tips for booking saver awards on partner sites
- 28. Utilize SEO best practices
- Can I still use my credit card after debt consolidation?
- 29. Target the mailbox
- Best life insurance company for older applicants: AARP
- 30. Send out press releases
- December
- 31. Use bulletin board flyers
- What are tax write-offs?
- Cheapest car insurance by state
- 32. Give out branded merchandise
- Best term life insurance companies of April 2024
- 33. Create a referral program
- Best whole life insurance companies of April 2024
- If you're searching for United saver award availability
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- How to make money from home
- Best no medical exam life insurance companies of April 2024
- How to get cheap car insurance
- How to choose the best life insurance company
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- How to make money offline
- 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.