When Popular Items Go on Sale Each Month or a Cheatsheet to Buying Items on Sale: When to Buy and when to Wait

Even though this is my year to reduce spending and cut unnecessary expenses, I know that big purchases are sometimes warranted. Timing when you purchase can help save you dollars, so I have compiled a list of what to buy when. The key take-aways: be patient as well as diligent.

For most of my list, I consulted Consumer Reports magazine, as well as MSN Money and added some learnings of my own.

January - This is the month to look at electronics (computers, but you may want to wait on a big screen TV until after the Super Bowl), winter sports items (I can personally attest that swaps are something to consider), bedding and linens (although MSN Money says to wait, I think you can see great deals in January), and home improvement supplies, especially flooring and closet organization items.

February - From my experience, start looking for some mark downs on winter sports items at this time. You may be able to pick up a few items early. Also bicycles are a good thing to shop for in February. After Valentine's Day, you can see clearance on chocolate and flowers for the month. And again, wait until after the Super Bowl for your big screen TV if you can.

March - Since you are midway between winter and spring, you can get some great deals on china and flat wear (after Christmas but before wedding season). Outerwear is another area for sales since it is 'in between' seasons. And since the ski season is starting to slow down, you can see more sales for clothes, gear, and even lodging and lift tickets (one of the reasons I tend to ski more in March). Luggage shops are also having sales to ramp up for summer travel season. You may also see last year's golf clubs being cleared out for new inventory around this time.

April - If you are interested in a cruise, and now have new luggage, consider booking in April, when the season is slower and you can get last minute deals (I get tons of emails for specials in April on cruises). Another item, if you didn't partake in an after Super Bowl sale, is a new TV. Japan's fiscal year ends March 31, so 'last year's' stock is getting cleared at this time. If you are getting ready for spring cleaning, look for vacuums being on sale as they make room for new models.

May - Spring has started, and you can get some good sales on Craigslist and the like as people make room for new patio furniture. Party supplies also go on sale in May before graduation and BBQ season, so stock up now. Grill supplies are on sale early in the month, but if you wait until near Memorial Day, the prices will go up with demand (learn from my mistake on waiting). I have seen blogs that say mattresses and box springs being on sale in May, but I think you get about the same deal as any other holiday (President's Day mattress sale, Memorial Day mattress sale, MLK Day mattress sale…you get the idea).

June - Father's Day equates to sales on tools and the like. Cruises and vacation packages to the Caribbean are also on sale during June. Wait to buy summer items until just after July 4^th, if you can.

July - Most summer apparel, including swimwear, goes on sale right after July 4^th (again, learned by experience). If you are looking to redecorate (furniture, bigger appliances like microwaves and refrigerators, or even paint), July is a good time to look for sales.

August - As stores gear up for back to school, this is a good time to see sales on shoes and Fall apparel (which you should know with all the back to school advertisement you see around this time). Also, if you are looking for a new laptop, see what back to school sales are being promoted. I have also waited to buy a mini frig for my office. You may also see some sales on grills - my advice is to snatch it up if you are in the market for a new grill, because by September, most of the inventory will be gone. I would also look at any summer outdoor items such as patio furniture or pillows that are in the clearance section. Last year I got a full outdoor patio set, already assembled, for $200 in August. You may have to drive to several stores, but keep your eyes open for some last minute finds.

September - Labor Day brings on some sales on bed and bath items. Car accessories also go on sale in September, but I would wait until October to purchase a car (you can get a better deal on a current year model).

October - If you are shopping for a car, wait until close to Halloween. Dealers need to move units per month, and at the end of the month, they may be willing to negotiate to move that last unit. This is also the time to purchase any final garden items on clearance for the following season. I have also read blogs where denim is on sale starting in mid- September and more so in October for back to school.

November - Start watching for toys and other Christmas gifts for kids at the beginning of the month (you may get as good of a deal as Black Friday without the headache). TVs, camcorders, and other electronics also go on sale for Christmas. If you use Hallmark to send out your Christmas cards, you may see discounts or sales (in 2011, they had free postage for cards purchased and mailed via the website on Black Friday).

December - Christmas goes without saying here. Watches, jewelry and winter coats are best purchased after Christmas, if you can (maybe as a New Year's gift instead?) and while toys may get marked down around Dec 15, I would not want to risk a toy being out of stock, would you? If you can wait until after Christmas, you can also see some good sales on golf clubs.

It may take some extra work, but your wallet will thank you later (and bragging rights are awesome).