The Best Time to Buy Just About Everything!

Don’t miss out on your chance to save big! Paying attention to market trends will allow you to purchase just about anything at a reduced price.

Airline Tickets
Time to buy: Wednesdays, 21 days before your departure date
Why: Never buy tickets more than 90 days before your departure date. Instead aim for 21 days prior. This is the time when many airlines file their lowest fares. Otherwise, check out tickets on Wednesdays when flight prices often drop.

Baby Clothes
Time to buy: When you discover your pregnancy
Why: This gives you plenty of time to seek out end-of-the-season clearances.

Big Appliances
Time to buy: September, October and holiday weekends
Why: During the fall, retailers bring out new appliances, placing deep discounts on last year’s models. Also, look out for sales during holidays such as Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends.

Broadway Tickets
Time to buy: Hours before the show
Why: Many musicals offer same-day lotteries for great seats at cheap prices. If you don’t want to take a chance, wait in line at the TKTS booth in Times Square. This is where you can find tickets for popular shows, sometimes up to 50 percent off!

Boats
Time to buy: January, February and March
Why: During winter boat shows is when dealers often offer their best prices on new models. Not looking to buy new? Off-season is the best time to look for discounted prices on used boats as well.

Cars
Time to buy: Weekday mornings in September
Why: Like big appliances, car dealers stock new models in the fall, putting last year’s models on clearance. Weekday mornings mean fewer customers, lower demand and therefore a better chance to negotiate a fair price.

Cell Phones
Time to buy: Any time of the year
Why: There is no trend to buying cell phones; manufacturers produce models at a constant rate, year-round.

Clothing
Time to buy: Thursdays, six to eight weeks after an item arrives in store
Why: Clothing often goes on sale around six to eight weeks after it is introduced at a store. Shop on Thursdays when inventory won’t be picked over by weekend crowds.

Computers and Electronics
Time to buy: Late summer and after a new product is launched
Why: Shop in July and August for back-to-school specials, or after manufacturers introduce a new product. Older models that are still high-quality will go on sale when updated products are launched.

Cookware
Time to buy: Spring and fall
Why: Cookware manufacturers promote their products most around April and May for graduations and weddings, as well as October and November for the holiday season.

Furniture
Time to buy: January and July
Why: New furniture arrives after the holiday season and in August. During the months of January and July, furniture stores hold huge sales to clear their showrooms for the incoming inventory.

Gas
Time to buy: Early mornings and late evenings during the week
Why: Gas stations change their prices around 10 am or noon. Fill up early in the morning if prices are rising or late at night if prices are falling. Purchase gas on the weekdays to avoid elevated weekend prices.

Jewelry
Time to buy: Not during a holiday
Why: Jewelry shoppers should avoid Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Christmas and New Year’s, when prices are highest.

Mattresses
Time to buy: Any time of the year
Why: There is no seasonal trend to mattress buying. It’s best to keep your eye out for sales, as well as stores that provide free delivery and removal of old mattresses.

Recreational Vehicles
Time to buy: Fall and winter
Why: Like cars, you can expect discounts on last year’s models when the latest inventory is introduced in the fall and winter.

Toys
Time to buy: October and November, and after the winter holidays
Why: Before and after the holiday season, retailers often offer promotions or apply discounts.

TVs and Home Theatres
Time to buy: Winter holidays, January or six to 12 months after a new product is launched
Why: During the winter holidays and the month of January, TV models that were introduced in September drop in price. Television and home theatre technology is improving at a slow pace, so look for discounts on older (but essentially just as good) versions, six to 12 months after a new product is introduced.

Vacuum Cleaners
Time to buy: April and May
Why: New models often come out in June, causing retailers to drop prices on older models in April and May.

Wedding Dresses
Time to buy: Winter holidays
Why: Since many people get engaged over the holidays, retailers often prepare for a rush of wedding dress shoppers after New Year’s. Visit retailers before January 1st and enjoy low foot traffic as well as ample time to bargain.

Wine
Time to buy: September
Why: Vineyards release their latest bottles in early fall, making this the best time for shoppers looking for a large selection.