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.
- Ready to get started? Here's what to do next
- About Roth IRAs
- Still deciding on the right carrier? Compare Medigap plans
- What is a budget planner?
- What is a mortgage refinance?
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- What are lithium stocks?
- Quickbooks Online
- FreshBooks Accounting
- Xero
- Zoho Books
- Life insurance buying guide
- Regulation D and why it matters
- How much emergency fund should I have?
- Tip calculator instructions
- 1. Winter escape to the Caribbean islands
- What are dividend stocks?
- The best pet insurance companies at a glance
- The best hotel rewards program for free nights
- How to use a savings goal calculator
- How to get paid on YouTube
- 7 of the best apps to make money
- How to unfreeze credit
- 7 best-performing AI stocks
- Best ETFs as of April 2024
- What is an IRS IP PIN?
- How much does a passport cost?
- How does the lottery work?
- What is Global Entry?
- Online marketplace and auction sites
- What makes EV loans different
- Best stocks by one-year performance
- What are Vanguard index funds?
- How Alaska seat selection works
- 1. Save more
- Spotify Free
- United credit cards currently available
- Best for:
- How do LLC taxes work?
- The best car insurance
- What to do if you overcontributed to your 401(k)
- Which transactions could be limited under Reg D?
- Upgrade options on JetBlue
- What is a virtual assistant?
- Banks with no debit card foreign transaction or ATM fees
- 50/30/20 budget calculator
- Advantages of franchising for the franchisee
- How life insurance commissions work
- How to estimate your home insurance
- Create a budget plan that works for you
- Refinance to a lower rate
- 1. Sell spare electronics
- Frugal food tips
- The best budget apps
- 1. Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor - Baltimore Orioles
- What is a HELOC?
- How to calculate student loan interest
- How does refinancing work?
- California state income tax brackets and rates
- Best lithium stocks
- Auto insurance
- Personal loan alternatives to Barclays
- 6 ways to save money on Delta flights
- Step 1: Check your credit
- January
- Quick facts about Zelle
- Best ways to consolidate credit card debt
- Cheapest days to fly around Thanksgiving
- What goes into the credit card interest calculation
- Best fleet fuel cards
- Average savings account rate: 0.46%
- You’ll be notified or see a $0 balance
- What is an EIN?
- What happened to egg prices in March?
- Reverse stock split definition
- What does this value mean?
- 1. You’ll get all the benefits of the The Platinum Card® from American Express
- How to budget money
- What property damage liability covers
- What is Schedule E?
- Step 1: Pick a type of car rental business
- Accrual vs. cash basis accounting
- What’s the difference between cash management accounts and brokerage accounts?
- The best money-making apps
- Where to get home insurance quotes
- 50 best small businesses to start
- How to make money online
- Summary of cash advance apps
- Who can get an IP PIN from the IRS?
- What you’ll get with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- 2. Sell your gift cards
- 2. Flying Blue business class to Europe
- What's the difference between a HELOC and a home equity loan?
- 1. Reward rates are solid …
- What should I look for in my TransUnion credit report?
- How to track your refund status with ‘Where's My Refund?’
- Netflix subscription cost
- Banks that offer joint business accounts
- Mint vs. NerdWallet at a glance
- 1. You can get paid faster
- Why the American Express® Gold Card is better for most people
- Spotify Premium cost
- PayPal Prepaid Mastercard Pros
- Which transactions don’t apply to the savings account withdrawal limit?
- How much is car insurance?
- Key Findings
- 1. Use a bank with early direct deposit
- Who needs to get an EIN?
- What does a virtual assistant do?
- ETF advantages and disadvantages
- What is the 50/30/20 rule?
- Who can get Global Entry?
- 403(b) vs. IRA
- How is PMI calculated?
- Are these the best stocks to buy now?
- 20 high-dividend stocks
- ASPCA: Best pet insurance for broad coverage
- Banking
- Alaska seat selection fees
- Payments will be too high
- Cash management account definition
- Cheap car insurance
- NerdWallet's car insurance estimator
- One button instead of many
- New York state income tax rates
- Processing issues delay financial aid offers
- How to get an IP PIN
- Types of passport applications
- 3. Pawn something
- YNAB, for hands-on zero-based budgeting
- 2. Hotel Commonwealth - Boston Red Sox
- What happens if you fall below your school's SAP requirement?
- 2. Know your number
- MassMutual life insurance rating
- 1. Brigit: Best for budgeting tools
- Best affordable homeowners insurance in Florida: Nationwide
- Best car insurance in Pennsylvania overall: Travelers
- How to convert American miles to dollars (calculator)
- Best affordable homeowners insurance in Colorado: Auto-Owners
- Refinance to a longer term
- How much is PMI?
- How much do you tip at a restaurant?
- How property damage liability works
- Frugal shopping tips
- Who fills out Schedule E?
- When are federal student loans due?
- Lithium stock ETFs
- PayPal Prepaid Mastercard Cons
- Grace period
- How LLCs pay income taxes
- Where to stash your emergency fund
- Differences between TSA PreCheck and Global Entry
- How to redeem rewards with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Why agent commissions matter
- 12 online banks that use Zelle
- 7 best stocks to buy now, according to analysts
- What's the difference between a HELOC and a cash-out refinance?
- When to refinance a mortgage
- 1. You can pre-qualify without hurting your credit scores
- How do Vanguard index funds work?
- 3. Allocate accordingly
- February
- Dealing with excess 401(k) contributions after Tax Day
- The pros and cons of a life insurance trust
- You could get a refund
- Cheap car insurance in Florida
- How much does it cost to renew a passport?
- Why companies perform reverse stock splits
- Are paid surveys worth it?
- 4. Work today for fast cash today
- 3. Hunt gnomes in Wrocław, Poland
- Investing for income: Dividend stocks vs. dividend funds
- 2. It's more convenient for customers
- Step 2: Pre-qualify and compare offers
- Brokerage account definition
- What if I go over the limit?
- How much do virtual assistants make?
- How do American miles compare to other airlines?
- 2. But you must have an eligible Schwab account
- Average annual PMI premium
- How much do you tip for other services?
- How to regain eligibility for financial aid
- Ticket types and seat selection rules
- Other alternatives to Mint
- Learn about top-rated life insurance companies
- Cheapest days to fly around Christmas
- Historical national rates
- Small businesses in the current economy
- How to estimate car insurance costs
- 2. Use Zelle for instant transfers between banks
- What is a Roth IRA account?
- Apply for mortgage forbearance
- PMI calculator help
- 17 traditional banks that use Zelle
- Where to find EV loans
- 3. Hyatt Regency San Francisco - San Francisco Giants
- When will I get my 2024 tax refund?
- 4. Understand withdrawal rules
- Understanding Chase bank’s credit card rules
- General information about prepaid debit cards
- Common reasons for excess 401(k) contributions
- Why are eggs so expensive?
- You can’t correct submitted FAFSAs yet
- The cost of passport changes
- Use a budget planner
- 5. Seek community loans and assistance
- What did the payment pause do?
- Are Vanguard index funds a good investment?
- Learn more
- Credit cards
- 2. … But redemptions are limited
- How to dispute your TransUnion report online
- College tuition wasn't in your retirement plan
- Which type of account is best for me?
- How to upgrade on JetBlue
- What are AI stocks?
- Best Pennsylvania car insurance for your budget: Travelers
- Foreign transaction fees by bank or credit union
- Cheapest for 20-year-old drivers
- How to be a smart customer
- 4. Annual red crab migration on Christmas Island
- How to find the best stocks to buy now
- Is a HELOC a good idea?
- Student loan interest calculator
- 2. It can help you build credit ...
- 3. It’s scalable and efficient
- March
- When to book
- Average daily balance
- 2. Empower: Best for fast cash
- Your credit score could dip slightly
- How to apply for an employer identification number
- How to become a virtual assistant
- When is the best time to use American miles?
- Where do lottery prizes come from?
- Aim for the most valuable uses of your Venture miles
- 6. Ask for forbearance on bills
- 12 credit unions that use Zelle
- How much property damage liability you need
- Frugal entertainment tips
- Alaska seats for elite members
- 2024 tax refund schedule
- 5. Consider part-time work in retirement
- How to meet your monthly savings goal
- Best car insurance companies: Our winners
- What if I need cash after I hit the limit?
- Average interest checking account rate: 0.08%
- How does a life insurance trust work?
- Best homeowners insurance in Florida for coverage: State Farm
- 3. Use the instant cash-out feature on P2P apps
- Add cards ahead of time or at checkout
- How does a Roth IRA work?
- Is a reverse stock split good or bad?
- What is the fee for Global Entry?
- 3. Redeem points for cash deposits at increased rates
- Best homeowners insurance in Colorado for coverage: State Farm
- Apply for loan modification
- Try a simple budgeting plan
- 4. Live! By Lowes - St. Louis - St. Louis Cardinals
- Capitalization increases interest costs
- California income tax deadlines and extensions
- Factors that affect the cost of car insurance
- Getting an expedited passport
- What to know if you take online surveys
- Where does lottery revenue go?
- How to set up an IRA
- 7. Request a payroll advance
- How much does it cost to buy Vanguard index fund shares?
- Compare personal loans
- How do I check my tax return status?
- Who can open a joint business account
- Who might prefer the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card?
- How to maximize savings
- New York state supplemental income tax
- Local sales
- 5. Free stopover in Fiji using Alaska miles
- Goodbudget, for hands-on envelope budgeting
- 3. ... But its potential annual fee may cost you
- Start planning for repayment now
- 3. There's a modest but easy-to-snag sign-up bonus
- Examples of accruals
- How do streaming services fit into your budget?
- You haven't set boundaries
- The bottom line
- How much is car insurance in my state?
- An alternative to chasing the best stocks
- 5. Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel - Toronto Blue Jays
- How to dispute your TransUnion report by mail
- 4. It helps with managing cash flow
- How does Spotify fit into your budget?
- How this can impact welcome bonus eligibility
- What can I do with my money if I max out my 401(k)?
- Other transfer services to know
- Why is there an egg shortage?
- How do I avoid foreign transaction fees on my debit card?
- How to get Global Entry through travel cards
- Eliminate mortgage insurance
- 8. Take a loan from your retirement account
- Remember to shop around
- Frugal DIY project tips
- Why haven't I received my tax refund?
- April
- Extra security behind the scenes
- Mixed-status families still face FAFSA glitches
- How has the value changed over time?
- What are the lottery payout options?
- 6. Visit the relaxed beaches of Búzios, Brazil
- Do I have to pay California state tax?
- How to apply for a joint business bank account
- Tax implications are unlikely
- Best Pennsylvania car insurance for customer satisfaction: Auto-Owners
- Frequently asked questions about IRS IP PINs
- 9. Borrow against life insurance
- How are HELOC payments calculated?
- How to invest in dividend stocks
- Step 2: Determine your target audience
- Alaska plane seating chart
- Benefits of accrual accounting
- Quick tips on avoiding Reg D related fees
- What info do you need for a home insurance quote?
- Types of life insurance trusts
- How much car insurance you need
- 3. EarnIn: Best for large advances
- Best homeowners insurance in Florida for having few consumer complaints: Chubb
- Get more help with monthly budget planning
- What can you invest in with a Roth IRA?
- Stock split vs. reverse stock split
- Clothes, vintage and crafts
- Best homeowners insurance in Colorado for consumer experience: American Family and Nationwide
- How to fill out Schedule E
- Embrace: Best pet insurance for many ways to save
- 4. You’ll receive an instant card number upon approval
- Additional functionality
- Step 3: Choose your lender and loan
- Considering parent loans?
- Interest rate
- How to invest in AI stocks
- Using a passport agency for urgent travel
- How flexible are American miles?
- 4. Get up to $200 in extra statement credits each year
- 10. Use a credit card cash advance
- How to save on hotels during baseball season
- When do I start accruing interest?
- Will my loans get cancelled?
- How to dispute your TransUnion credit report by phone
- Why are egg prices so high in California?
- When are New York state income taxes due?
- The bottom line
- Managing expectations
- 4. And those fees can lower your initial credit limit
- Estimate your 2024 IRS tax refund date
- May
- LLC payroll taxes
- What are fleet cards?
- Average certificate of deposit rate: 1.81% for one-year CDs
- The costs of doing business: How small businesses are coping
- How to apply online for Global Entry
- 11. Look for a payday alternative loan
- Frugal home expenses tips
- What is California's standard deduction?
- 5. Carrying a balance could be costly
- Where to find accruals on your financial statements
- Best Pennsylvania car insurance for ease of use: State Farm
- Where to find virtual assistant jobs
- Do I have to pay New York state income tax?
- Students and parents: Here’s what you can do
- Are Roth IRAs insured?
- The most popular surveys for cash apps
- How student loan payments are applied
- Step 3: Write your business plan
- What happens next in a TransUnion credit dispute?
- How many United cards can I have?
- More reading about ETFs
- Reverse stock split examples
- 5. It’s part of a no foreign-transaction fee combo for travelers
- Find the best HELOC lender for you
- Which card should you get?
- How do fleet cards work?
- How to compare home insurance quotes
- The bottom line about JetBlue upgrades
- Why some cars cost more to insure
- How to find AI ETFs
- Costs of using a passport courier
- How did we determine the value of American miles?
- 12. Get a personal loan
- What part of my income gets taxed by California?
- Step 4: Gather loan documents
- Already taken the plunge?
- How much is car insurance by company?
- 4. Varo: Best for existing bank customers
- Full list of the best homeowners insurance in Florida
- Avoid these less valuable redemptions
- EveryDollar, for simple zero-based budgeting
- How much does it cost to refinance a mortgage?
- How do you buy Vanguard Index fund shares?
- Step 4: Register and license your business
- Where's my 2024 state tax refund? Track your status
- Days in the cycle
- What’s important to small-business customers
- You can prioritize other financial goals
- Do you ever need to change your EIN?
- Roth IRA eligibility rules
- 5. The APR runs high
- How to pick seats on Alaska
- June
- Full list of the best car insurance companies in Pennsylvania
- What is New York state's standard deduction?
- Disadvantages of franchising for the franchisee
- How much are lottery winnings taxed?
- 13. Rent out a room
- LLC self-employment taxes
- Electronics
- Full list of the best homeowners insurance in Colorado
- Find the best homeowners insurance in your state
- Am I a resident for California state tax purposes?
- If you want to score discounted Delta flights
- How to get a tax refund sooner
- More Florida home insurance companies
- So, how much is a U.S. passport?
- Step 5: Get your finances in order
- How to save on car insurance
- How to find the best refinance rates
- What's next?
- Average money market account rate: 0.66%
- Which type of life insurance should I put in a trust?
- Could we be in an AI bubble?
- What if you lose your EIN?
- Am I a resident for New York state income tax purposes?
- NerdWallet home insurance calculator methodology
- 14. Moonlight as a dog sitter
- What are the best Vanguard index funds?
- July
- LLC sales taxes
- 5. Dave: Best for repayment flexibility
- What's next?
- Are these the best dividend stocks?
- Step 5: Submit your application and get funded
- Fleet fuel cards: benefits and drawbacks
- Lessons for small-business owners, from their customers
- What’s a spousal Roth IRA?
- Take advantage of travel benefits
- How much does homeowners insurance cost in Colorado?
- 15. Become a rideshare or delivery driver
- What to do if you win the lottery
- How much money can you make on YouTube?
- Is Global Entry worth it?
- 16. Cut your insurance premiums
- Empower Personal Dashboard, for tracking wealth and spending
- Refinancing a mortgage, step by step
- How much is auto insurance based on your driving record?
- Figo: Best pet insurance for cats
- August
- LLC tax forms and deadlines
- Supplement rewards with a second credit card
- Step 6: Find the right location
- 6. MoneyLion: Best for existing customers
- How much does homeowners insurance cost in Florida?
- Roth IRA vs. traditional IRA: What's the difference?
- Average cost of homeowners insurance in Colorado by city
- The difference between interest rate and APY
- 17. Consolidate your debt
- Step 7: Create a rental contract
- Alaska Airlines seat selection recapped
- Fuel card vs. business gas credit card
- Should you invest in AI stocks?
- How to claim lottery winnings
- After deciding
- Earn an audience, and earn more in the long run
- September
- Cheapest for 30-year-old drivers
- What are the largest lottery jackpots ever?
- The cheapest home insurance in Colorado
- 18. Refinance your student loans
- Step 8: Build your operations team
- LLC tax tips for business owners
- Average cost of homeowners insurance in Florida by city
- What is credit card consolidation?
- Home insurance quote comparison example
- 7. SoLo Funds: Best for peer-to-peer cash advances
- How to open a Roth IRA in 4 steps
- 19. Change your cell phone plan
- When do you file Schedule E?
- California state tax credits
- Other ways to make money
- Step 9: Create an online presence
- How the FDIC calculates national rates
- Why is homeowners insurance so expensive in Florida?
- Advantages of franchising for the franchisor
- Avoid risky loans
- PocketGuard, for a simplified budgeting snapshot
- October
- How does credit card consolidation work?
- Does your business need a fleet fuel card?
- What to know about Colorado homeowners insurance
- Investing
- Step 10: Provide exceptional service
- 8. Klover: Best for no-fee advances
- Where to get Schedule E
- NYC income tax rates
- November
- Is consolidating credit card debt a good idea?
- OK, what's next?
- The bottom line
- What to know about Florida homeowners insurance
- More resources
- Can I still use my credit card after debt consolidation?
- Which homeowners insurance companies should I consider?
- Schedule E vs. Schedule C
- MetLife: Best pet insurance for dogs
- Mortgages
- Pros and cons of loan apps
- Honeydue, for budgeting with a partner
- December
- Colorado Division of Insurance
- How to track your California state refund
- Looking for more insurance in Colorado?
- Cheapest car insurance by state
- How much does home insurance cost?
- 6 things to know about New York state income tax
- Disadvantages of franchising for the franchisor
- California state sales tax
- What goes into a homeowners insurance quote?
- How much is auto insurance for good and poor credit?
- How to make money from home
- What if you're not eligible?
- Budgeting resources from NerdWallet
- 5 things to know about California state tax
- How to get cheap car insurance
- Are cash advance apps payday lenders?
- Florida department of insurance
- Personal loans
- Looking for more insurance in Florida?
- Methodology to identify the best budget apps
- Are apps like DailyPay and Payactiv cash advance apps?
- What are the Roth IRA withdrawal rules?
- Risks of getting cheap auto insurance
- Cheapest for 40-year-old drivers
- How to get a cheap homeowners insurance quote
- Nationwide: Best pet insurance for exotic pets
- Alternatives to cash advance apps
- The final word
- How much is auto insurance based on age?
- Student loans
- How to make money offline
- Taxes
- Cash advance app star rating methodology
- Travel rewards
- Pets Best: Best pet insurance for flexible plans
- Full list of the best car insurance companies
- How much is auto insurance based on gender?
- Best car insurance companies by state
- How much is auto insurance based on vehicle type?
- How to find the best car insurance
- Cheapest for 50-year-old drivers
- What else affects my car insurance cost?
- Spot: Best pet insurance for straightforward waiting periods
- How to get cheap car insurance
- Want to start a business?
- How much is pet insurance?
- Cheapest for 60-year-old drivers
- Watch out for making money scams
- How to find the best dog insurance
- How to find the best cat insurance
- How to compare pet insurance companies
- Cheapest for 70-year-old drivers
- How we ranked the best pet insurance companies
- How to get cheap car insurance in Florida
- Minimum car insurance requirements in Florida
- No-fault insurance in Florida
- 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.