sale2.jpgMaybe you have a major purchase on your mind and don’t know whether it’s the right time to shop for it. If your funds are low, you may be waiting for cash to come in before you make the purchase. This can be a mistake because every year retailers put the same items up for sale on a monthly basis, and if you know what the large sales items that month will be you can save money by purchasing them then.

But, which items go on sale when? Consumer Reports did a study that showed that retailers consistently put certain items on sale regularly by the calendar month. While this isn’t the only time these items go on sale, they are predictable and can help you to plan some of your major purchases. Keep in mind that the reason they might be on sale is because the item is going out-of-season or newer models are coming in later. If you are a long-range planner, this can work in your favor. If you want to get immediate satisfaction on your purchase, this strategy may not be for you.

Clothing

This is a no-brainer. When the seasons turn, the retailers try to get rid of last season’s clothing at a discount. You can shop fine department stores at this time and find massive sales on clothing that they see as being outdated. You can get fashionable styles that sometimes work well for the next season with some creative layering. If that’s not your style, you will have to store the clothing away for the following season and live with being slightly out of sync with the fashion mavens. The benefit is that you save an inordinate amount of money on quality clothing from fine department stores. This is also a great way to snag a winter coat for next season’s chill. Leather goods can often be discounted tremendously and offer seasonal wear in both fall and winter in some temperate climates. They also are extremely durable and feel luxurious to own!

Out-Of-Season Deals

It’s August and the lawn mowers are on sale, of course. No one thinks to buy a lawn mower at the end of the season and store it in the shed or garage, but that’s the best way to get a good deal on one. You can also find air conditioners at large discounts during the end of the summer season. Similarly, exercise equipment and humidifiers go on sale at the end of the winter months. People won’t be indoors as much and have less need for them. That doesn’t mean you can’t snag one and save it for next winter with these great out-of-season deals.

Real Estate

This is a biggie and any savings here can be in thousands. Most houses sell in peak season between May and September. You can hardly get a buyer interested in house shopping during January, when it’s really cold outside in most parts of the United States. For that reason, many distressed sellers make large concessions on real estate in January. If you are looking for a home, why not think about doing it out of season? It may be a little nippy, but it may be worth it in the end.

Loans

There are also seasons for lending. They may or may not fall in line with calendar months. They do however follow certain trends. Car financing for example may become quite competitive between dealerships when they are trying to offload large inventories before the new models come in. This can near the end of the year, between September and December. The key is that you will be opting for what the dealer perceives to be already “last year’s model” with this year’s financing. It’s a small price to pay for some decent loans.

So shop smart, keep an eye on the calendar, and you could be saving a lot of money.

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