Best Things to Buy Every Month in 2024
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A new year is a good opportunity to take charge of your personal budget and develop a strategy for buying the things you want.
Create a list of the big buys you plan to make this year and use our guide to time each purchase right, so you can save money.
- See how to get your business started quickly
- What is the Section 179 deduction?
- Why is retirement planning important?
- Life insurance buying guide
- What is a cashier's check?
- 401(k) withdrawal calculator
- What is Plaid?
- What are dividend stocks?
- What is a financial advisor?
- High-dividend ETFs may generate income
- Join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
- How much is an oil change?
- Hulu subscription cost
- What is a tax levy?
- How much does HBO Max cost per month?
- S&P 500 index (SPX) today
- Estimated Hawaii trip cost
- The cheapest car insurance companies by category
- Capital gains tax on stocks: Do you have to pay?
- Defining low income
- 7 best-performing AI stocks
- Mortgage options
- 7 of the best apps to make money
- How much should you spend on rent? It depends
- What is personal liability insurance?
- Investing money is personal
- When do I need a cashier's check?
- MileagePlus, United's loyalty program
- What is a solo 401(k) plan?
- What is a tax lien?
- What's the best S&P 500 index fund?
- Online marketplace and auction sites
- Most profitable small businesses
- 1. Use taxis and rideshares safely
- The value of Marriott Bonvoy points
- What is AutoCamp?
- How to deposit or cash a check step by step
- Average car loan interest rates by credit score
- What is an insurance broker?
- How we found the best travel insurance
- 7 Best Hyatt hotels in the Caribbean
- Should you withdraw money from a 401(k) early?
- What goes into the credit card interest calculation
- 1. Your college's financial aid department
- January
- What is P2P payment?
- How the Section 179 tax deduction works
- 5 of the best index funds tracking the S&P 500
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards benefits
- Hulu Live TV cost
- How do bond ladders counter risk?
- Understanding car values
- What is an FHA loan?
- How to compare FHA vs. conventional loans
- What is JetBlue's cancellation policy?
- 6 best semiconductor ETFs by one-year performance
- How do credit union loans work?
- HELOCs and home equity loans compared
- Benefits of balance transfers
- What does it mean to invest in the S&P 500?
- How to make money online
- Do you pay taxes on stocks you don't sell?
- The best money-making apps
- What is a statement balance?
- Mint vs. NerdWallet at a glance
- When can you retire?
- What are game apps that pay real money?
- What do financial advisors do?
- 7 high-dividend ETFs
- Oil change prices at chain shops
- Summary of cash advance apps
- How much of my credit card should I use?
- How does Experian Boost work?
- What does it mean if you have a tax lien?
- I moved in with my mom
- Breakdown of central air costs
- Plaid: The basics
- How to invest in stocks in 6 steps
- 20 high-dividend stocks
- Mutual of Omaha life insurance
- How much does it cost to cash or deposit a check?
- Where can I get a cashier’s check?
- When will the IRS issue a tax levy?
- What is an S&P 500 index fund?
- Work out how much of your income should go to rent with the 50/30/20 rule
- When to use an insurance broker
- How to choose the best crypto wallet
- 2. Your employer or your parents' employer
- How to calculate your home equity
- What expenses qualify for Section 179?
- 2. Be alert when drinking and dating
- How can I get a cashier’s check?
- Conventional vs. synthetic
- 1. Brigit: Best for budgeting tools
- How to find your car’s resale and trade-in value
- Grace period
- Types of semiconductor ETFs
- How P2P payments work
- 5 steps for retirement planning
- The best Marriott Bonvoy transfer partners
- When to get a financial advisor
- Where to cash a check
- Are auto loan interest rates rising?
- What is United Airlines like?
- How to get a tax lien removed
- How a tax levy can affect you
- Best credit union personal loans for 2024
- February
- How are stocks taxed?
- The measure of low income can vary
- Is personal liability insurance required for homeowners?
- Investing for income: Dividend stocks vs. dividend funds
- Can you live off ETF dividends?
- Mutual of Omaha life insurance policies
- Hulu add-ons
- Is 0% credit utilization bad?
- What costs are built into a monthly FHA mortgage payment?
- 8 best hot wallets
- Why are S&P 500 index funds popular?
- Should I buy stocks when markets are at all-time highs?
- Other alternatives to Mint
- A long non-winning stretch, but still hope
- Solo 401(k) contribution limits
- I made a 20% down payment
- How to buy semiconductor ETFs
- 3. Scholarship search engines and contests
- How Plaid works
- What are AI stocks?
- How much rent can you afford?
- What is a current balance?
- How to use average car interest rates
- How many S&P 500 index funds do I need?
- 2023 Section 179 deduction limit
- How the Hilton-AutoCamp partnership will work
- Lube shops vs. dealerships
- Other factors to consider
- About home equity loans
- Programs that use the federal poverty level
- 3. Look like you know where you're going
- How brokers are paid
- How to get rid of a tax levy
- Average daily balance
- March
- Which P2P payment service should you use?
- How to cut your Hawaii vacation costs
- How long will your mortgage loan last?
- What does personal liability insurance cover?
- How to invest in dividend ETFs
- Mutual of Omaha life insurance rates
- Where to avoid cashing a check
- How much does a cashier’s check cost?
- Does Hulu allow password sharing?
- 2. Empower: Best for fast cash
- Best travel insurance overall: Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection
- How can I lower my FHA mortgage payment?
- 4. Local organizations
- 2024 Section 179 deduction limit
- What should I expect from a financial advisor?
- Airline and hotel partners
- How credit utilization affects your scores
- Is Solo 401(k) tax deductible? Solo 401(k) tax advantages
- Does Experian Boost actually build your score?
- How to choose an S&P 500 index fund
- How to invest in the S&P 500 in two steps:
- How much does AutoCamp cost?
- Game apps that pay real money: before you play
- Best way to avoid fees: Get a checking account
- How does Hulu fit into your budget?
- Bond ladders and interest rates
- Drawbacks and alternatives
- Avoiding the upsell
- I got a mortgage preapproval
- Local sales
- Does Max cost the same as HBO Max did?
- Where Plaid is used: Examples
- How are dividends taxed?
- ‘Hummer tax deduction’: Which vehicles does Section 179 cover?
- 4. Leave the Rolex at home
- Mutual of Omaha complaints and customer satisfaction
- Top 3 index funds for the Nasdaq-100
- About home equity lines of credit
- Factor in other costs
- Boost vs. UltraFICO and eCredable Lift
- Get your ducks in a row
- April
- Other low-income guidelines and programs to note
- How to invest in AI stocks
- How to invest in dividend stocks
- More Hilton partnerships
- Types of financial advisors and what they do
- What if I lose the cashier's check?
- How to invest in the S&P 500
- How to cancel or change your JetBlue flight
- Are P2P payments safe?
- Should you pay the statement balance or current balance?
- 5. Use (and hide) your phone strategically
- 3. EarnIn: Best for large advances
- Credit risks in a bond ladder
- Covering your spouse under your solo 401(k)
- Does HBO Max allow password sharing?
- The bottom line
- When do you have to pay taxes on stocks?
- Additional functionality
- More about Mutual of Omaha life insurance
- Clothes, vintage and crafts
- What to do when you get a scholarship
- Information you'll need to estimate your car's value
- Other ways to build credit
- Interest rate
- How to safely make and receive P2P payments
- How to find local and state low-income assistance programs
- Does Section 179 cover real estate?
- Look for savings
- 6. Dress appropriately for the culture
- How to redeem Hertz Gold Plus Rewards points for max value
- How to open a solo 401(k)
- I bought a fixer-upper
- What’s the difference between S&P 500 index funds and S&P 500 ETFs?
- How to fit HBO Max into your budget
- May
- How to find AI ETFs
- Types of mortgage loans
- Make a scholarship plan for next year
- Cashier’s check vs. certified check vs. money order
- Best for emergency medical coverage: Allianz Global Assistance
- Credit union personal loan rates
- How much does it cost to invest in the S&P 500?
- What is net investment income tax?
- 7. Buy a local SIM card to avoid high roaming costs
- Insurance broker vs. independent agent
- What about a JetBlue same-day switch?
- How quickly do P2P payments post to the recipient's account?
- What if you don’t qualify for Section 179?
- What does personal liability insurance not cover?
- Who should avoid United Airlines?
- 4. Varo: Best for existing bank customers
- Be patient with yourself and the market
- Marriott Bonvoy's exclusive transfer partners
- 3 tips to control central air conditioning installation costs
- Is a balance transfer worth it?
- Days in the cycle
- June
- What do P2P payments cost?
- How to pay lower taxes when selling stocks
- How can I avoid cashier's check fraud?
- Is joining the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards loyalty program worth it?
- What if JetBlue cancels your flight?
- Could we be in an AI bubble?
- 8. Join solo female traveler Facebook groups
- If you’re considering flying United Airlines …
- Electronics
- How to get a loan from a credit union
- Frequently asked questions about P2P payments
- Marriott Bonvoy transfer partners to avoid
- Recap: How to get a cashier's check
- Other ways to buy insurance
- Are these the best dividend stocks?
- 5. Dave: Best for repayment flexibility
- What's next?
- July
- Finally, enjoy your travels
- Best for travelers with pre-existing medical conditions: Travel Guard by AIG
- How to finance central air installation
- The bottom line
- What other options can get your money back?
- Credit union vs. online lender
- How much personal liability coverage do you need?
- How to earn World of Hyatt points
- Should I invest in an S&P 500 index fund or S&P 500 ETF?
- Should you invest in AI stocks?
- August
- 6. MoneyLion: Best for existing customers
- If you want to go to Hawaii
- After deciding
- If you’re dreaming of Hyatt properties in the Caribbean …
- Next steps
- Are there drawbacks to investing in the S&P 500?
- If you want to leverage Marriott’s transfer partners ...
- September
- How much does personal liability insurance cost?
- Which type of financial advisor is right for me?
- More resources on investing
- Best for those who pack expensive equipment: Travel Insured International
- 7. SoLo Funds: Best for peer-to-peer cash advances
- Other types of mortgage loans
- What investment return should I expect from a financial advisor?
- FHA vs. conventional loans: Summary
- October
- 3 best cold wallets
- 8. Klover: Best for no-fee advances
- November
- Best for adventurous travelers: World Nomads
- Best stocks for beginners
- Pros and cons of loan apps
- December
- The bottom line on investing in stocks
- Best for medical coverage: Travelex Insurance Services
- How to make money from home
- Are cash advance apps payday lenders?
- Cheapest car insurance by state
- Are apps like DailyPay and Payactiv cash advance apps?
- Best if you have travel credit card coverage: Seven Corners
- Alternatives to cash advance apps
- How to get cheap car insurance
- Risks of getting cheap auto insurance
- How to make money offline
- Best for long-term travelers: IMG
- Why you can trust NerdWallet
- Cash advance app star rating methodology
- Best for travelers with unpredictable work demands: Tin Leg
- How to start a profitable business
- Best for booking travel with points and miles: TravelSafe
- Best for group travel insurance: HTH Insurance
- Types of travel insurance
- Watch out for making money scams
- What does travel insurance cover?
- What’s not covered?
- How much does it cost?
- Do I need travel insurance?
- How to choose the best travel insurance policy
- What are the top travel destinations in 2024?
- More resources for travel insurance shoppers
- Methodology
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.