Best Things to Buy Every Month in 2024
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
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.
- About Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Compare Medicare Advantage providers
- Find the right Medicare Advantage plan
- Find the right business loan
- What is a backdoor Roth IRA?
- See CD rates by term and type
- What is a donor-advised fund?
- What is a W-4?
- 2023 Ohio state income tax rates and tax brackets (taxes filed in 2024)
- Investing money is personal
- Still deciding on the right carrier? Compare Medicare Advantage plans
- 7 of the best apps to make money
- How many miles do you need to redeem for award flights?
- Mutual funds vs. stocks
- Impact investing definition
- How long does it take to get a new credit card?
- Free financial advice
- How do CDs work?
- How does a donor-advised fund work?
- When is a payment marked late on credit reports?
- What are stock options?
- Frugal food tips
- The best cheap car insurance
- What is a foreign transaction fee?
- The best car insurance
- What is accounts receivable financing?
- Children vs. minors
- What are pet insurance waiting periods?
- How to manage your money
- Why it’s hard to say no
- Chase checking accounts
- How do CDs work?
- Capital One CD rates
- An overview of Marriott elite night credits
- What does homeowners insurance cover?
- 1. Open an IRA
- What is a capsule hotel?
- January
- For a high flat rate
- Average savings account rate: 0.46%
- 19 top franchise opportunities for veterans
- Dialpad
- Stock chart components
- The difference between cancellation and non-renewal
- What cards does Upgrade offer?
- 1. Refinancing your car
- What is a business credit score?
- The best money-making apps
- 28 ways to save money
- 1. Competitive offers close deals
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage pros and cons
- How to make money online
- How to track your refund status with ‘Where's My Refund?’
- How does accounts receivable financing work?
- Roth IRA income limits
- What is the 10-year Treasury?
- Benefits of a donor-advised fund
- How do I know there's a late payment on my credit report?
- The cons of Airbnb
- Do I have to pay Ohio state income tax?
- 1. Affirm
- Does Spirit give refunds?
- Do any pet insurance companies have no waiting periods?
- 1. Take inventory of your finances
- Impact investing vs. socially responsible investing
- How many elite night credits do I need to earn status?
- How employee stock options work
- Compare car insurance rates by age
- Most workers expect salary increases
- Can you get insurance without a car?
- ETFs vs. stocks: A quick breakdown
- How long is a child's passport valid?
- More details about Capital One CDs
- How to fill out a W-4
- Frugal shopping tips
- Steps for filling out the FAFSA if you live with legal guardians or foster parents
- How to open a backdoor Roth IRA
- Best affordable homeowners insurance in California: Travelers
- Are capsule hotels cheap?
- For optimizers
- 2. Available homes may not be perfect homes
- Is it the same as a currency conversion fee?
- When do passports expire for minors?
- How long do waiting periods last?
- Sendgrid
- Add-ons and extras
- How do you get a credit card faster?
- How to invest money
- Checking and savings features
- 2. Sell or trade in your car
- February
- High CD rates for now
- How are business credit scores calculated?
- Are paid surveys worth it?
- How to get homeowners insurance after a non-renewal
- Chase direct deposit requirements for checking accounts
- What is the 10-year treasury yield today?
- What to consider when opening CDs
- What to know about the Upgrade OneCard
- What can I do if I slip up?
- Am I a resident for Ohio state income tax purposes?
- Book only with miles or combine cash and miles
- What should you do after you get your credit card?
- Historical national rates
- Stock mutual funds
- When will I get my 2024 tax refund?
- Can you get pet insurance retroactively?
- How Chase checking account fees compare
- Getting paid on time isn’t a given
- 2. Set financial priorities
- 3. Buying in 2022 will still be tough
- 2. Afterpay
- Accounts receivable financing vs. factoring
- Unito
- Basic stock chart terms to know
- See CD rates by bank
- How to avoid foreign transaction fees
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare star ratings
- 2. Build a money management blueprint
- Impact investing strategy
- How many ways do I need to say no?
- More about Capital One
- 3. Lease a car
- March
- Frugal entertainment tips
- Who needs non-owner car insurance?
- Do personal credit scores affect business credit scores?
- 2024 tax refund schedule
- How to apply for a child’s or minor’s passport
- How long does it take to receive a replacement credit card?
- Backdoor Roth IRA rules
- Best homeowners insurance in California for coverage: Chubb
- For average credit
- Average interest checking account rate: 0.08%
- Use miles to upgrade award travel
- Best car insurance companies: Our winners
- Types of waiting periods
- Cheap financial advice
- Price vs. yield
- How to earn Marriott elite night credits
- When to exercise stock options
- 4. Current home prices could bust budgets
- How do I check my tax return status?
- Vested
- What to know if you take online surveys
- Frequently asked questions about Chase checking accounts
- What to know about the Upgrade Life Rewards Card
- Gig work holds little attraction
- Best capsule hotels in the world
- How long does a late payment stay on my credit report?
- Top accounts receivable financing companies
- More advanced stock chart terms
- How does impact investing work?
- What can you contribute to a donor-advised fund?
- Frugal DIY project tips
- What is a good business credit score?
- 5. Borrowing for a home isn’t a sure thing
- Should I just use cash instead?
- 3. Apple Pay Later
- What does Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage cost?
- Why haven't I received my tax refund?
- How long does it take to get approved for a credit card?
- 4. Talk to your lender
- April
- What is Ohio’s standard deduction?
- Weigh your options
- Tripleseat
- Will making a partial payment keep me from being reported late?
- How to change or cancel your Spirit reservation
- Passport renewal for minors
- How to invest in a donor-advised fund
- Best homeowners insurance in California for consumer experience: Nationwide
- Book award flights with Hawaiian Airlines travel partners
- Is impact investing a good idea?
- Why is the 10-year Treasury yield important?
- Do all the Upgrade cards earn rewards?
- Customer experience
- How can I avoid late payments?
- Workers are still stressed, especially in the U.S.
- W-4 form 2024
- What's next?
- How does credit card approval work?
- The best time to lower your car payment
- What’s the filing deadline for my Ohio state income tax bill?
- Estimate your 2024 IRS tax refund date
- Womply
- Is a backdoor Roth IRA worth it?
- May
- Frugal home expenses tips
- Average certificate of deposit rate: 1.81% for one-year CDs
- Spirit Reservation Credits
- Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program
- Impact investing examples
- 5 things to know about Ohio state tax
- Individual stocks
- The most popular surveys for cash apps
- Are 10-year Treasury notes a good investment?
- Are the Upgrade cards actually credit cards?
- 3. Get disability and life insurance
- How to find the 2024 W-4
- 4. Klarna
- When to get a CD
- Overall, workers are optimistic
- Full list of best homeowners insurance in California
- Earn more award flights with a Hawaiian Airlines credit card
- What if your application is denied?
- Where's my 2024 state tax refund? Track your status
- Minor and child passports recapped
- Benefits for all Chase checking accounts
- Do the Upgrade cards report to U.S. credit bureaus?
- Bento for Business
- How to open a CD
- How do you buy 10-year Treasury notes?
- June
- Do I have to update my W-4 every year?
- Why do pet insurance companies have waiting periods?
- How much does homeowners insurance cost in California?
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plan types
- How to get a tax refund sooner
- CD vs. savings account
- What else makes the Upgrade cards unique?
- How to handle waiting periods
- Do you pay tax on T-notes?
- Who shouldn’t buy non-owner car insurance
- Why do I need a business credit score?
- 5. PayPal
- The bottom line
- Average cost of homeowners insurance in California by city
- How to adjust your Form W-4
- Average money market account rate: 0.66%
- How to start impact investing
- CD vs. bond
- Next Steps
- Should you exercise early?
- July
- Steps to getting a refund from Spirit
- How do I get my business credit score?
- Another Chase checking account perk: the Chase Disney debit card
- Available BCBS Part D prescription drug plans
- Types of CD strategies
- If you’re collecting Marriott elite night credits
- The cheapest home insurance in California
- Other ways to get your money back
- If you're considering staying at a capsule hotel …
- August
- 6. Sezzle
- 3. Make the most of your savings
- How Chase premium checking accounts compare
- The difference between interest rate and APY
- What are CD rates right now?
- What homeowners insurance won't cover
- What you need to know about California homeowners insurance
- Types of stock charts and how to read them
- Compare insurance rates by driver history
- Additional benefits for premium Chase checking accounts
- September
- Where to buy non-owner car insurance
- Third-party ratings
- What are promotional CD rates?
- 7. Zip
- Is a Chase checking account the right choice?
- More resources on investing
- W-4 calculator
- How the FDIC calculates national rates
- October
- How much is non-owner car insurance?
- What else to know about Form W-4
- How big is the impact investing market?
- California Department of Insurance
- November
- Compare buy now, pay later apps
- Looking for more insurance in California?
- Should you use a buy now, pay later app?
- How are impact investments measured?
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage service area
- The bottom line on how to read stock charts
- Does homeowners insurance cover ... ?
- December
- 4. Be persistent
- The bottom line
- Types of homeowners insurance policies
- BCBS customer service
- Alternatives to buy now, pay later
- How to make money from home
- How homeowners insurance works
- How to make money offline
- Full list of the best car insurance companies
- How to compare car insurance rates
- Best car insurance companies by state
- How to find the best car insurance
- How to choose an insurance company
- 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.