When is the best time to buy a TV?

The best times to buy a TV are: January (post-Super Bowl, retailers clear inventory with deep discounts of 20–40%); Black Friday / Cyber Monday (late November — significant deals, though sometimes on last year's models); and when new models launch (spring/summer — prices on previous-year models drop). Avoid buying TVs in September–October when new model launches and demand are highest.

When is the best time to buy a car?

The best time to buy a car is October through December, particularly at the end of the month and end of the model year. Dealers are motivated by year-end quotas and want to clear inventory before new model years arrive. Monday is statistically the best day of the week to negotiate. Avoid buying in spring (tax refund season) and summer when demand and prices peak.

When is the best time to buy appliances?

The best time to buy appliances is September through November when new models arrive and retailers discount prior-year inventory. Labor Day sales (early September) and Black Friday are the two peak discount events. January is also a good time — post-holiday clearance. Avoid buying appliances in May–June when demand from home purchases peaks.

When is the best time to book flights?

Domestic flights are cheapest when booked 1–3 months in advance on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Last-minute deals (within a week) are rare for planned travel. Fly on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for the lowest fares. Avoid booking during peak demand periods (spring break, Thanksgiving week, Christmas-New Year period). International flights are cheapest 3–6 months in advance.

When is the best time to buy a house?

The housing market is least competitive in winter (November–February), particularly January–February. Fewer buyers are active, sellers are more motivated, and prices tend to be 1–5% lower than summer peaks. The tradeoff: fewer listings to choose from. If you need more selection, spring (March–May) offers the most inventory but highest competition and prices.

Best Time of Year to Buy Everything — Annual Savings Calendar 2026

Best Time of Year to Buy Everything — 2026 Calendar

Timing major purchases correctly saves hundreds to thousands of dollars annually without couponing, deal-hunting, or sacrificing quality. This calendar covers the biggest spending categories.

Annual Buying Calendar

Month	Best Purchases
January	TVs (post-Super Bowl), linens, bedding, winter clothing, gym equipment, holiday decor
February	Furniture (Presidents Day sales), winter clothing clearance, Valentine’s candy (post-Feb 14)
March	Luggage, winter sports gear clearance
April	Spring cleaning supplies, tax software
May	Mattresses (Memorial Day), outdoor furniture, appliances, graduation gifts
June	Tools, outdoor power equipment
July	Small appliances, furniture, summer clothing clearance
August	Back-to-school supplies, laptops, school clothing, patio furniture
September	Appliances (new models arrive, old models discounted), cars (end of model year)
October	Cars, costumes (mid-month clearance), candy (post-Halloween)
November	Black Friday: electronics, TVs, appliances, tools
December	Toys (Dec 26+ clearance), winter clothing, end-of-year car deals

Category Deep Dives

Cars and Trucks

Best: October–December, especially last days of the month and year.

Dealers have year-end quotas and clear inventory before new model years
End-of-month pressure creates negotiating leverage
December 31 is historically the single best day of the year to buy a new car
Monday is best day of the week to visit a dealership (slow traffic, sales team more flexible)

Avoid: March–May (tax refund season, high demand)

TVs

Best: January (post-Super Bowl, 20–40% off) and Black Friday Avoid: September–October (new models launch, prices peak)

Appliances (Refrigerators, Washers, Dryers, etc.)

Best: September–November (new models arrive, prior-year models discounted); Labor Day, Black Friday Second best: January (post-holiday clearance) Avoid: May–June (spring home-buying season drives demand)

Mattresses

Best: Memorial Day (late May), Labor Day, Presidents Day, Black Friday — these four sale periods offer the deepest discounts, often 30–50% off.

Furniture

Best: January, July, and around Presidents Day (February) — these mark the end of furniture inventory cycles when showrooms need to clear stock.

Flights (Domestic)

Best times to book: Tuesday–Wednesday, 1–3 months ahead Cheapest days to fly: Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday Avoid: Sunday (most expensive day to fly), Thanksgiving week, Christmas week, spring break

Hotels

Best rates: Sunday–Thursday stays; shoulder seasons (spring and fall); book 2–8 weeks ahead for leisure travel.

Electronics (Laptops, Phones, Tablets)

Best: Back-to-school (August) for laptops; around new product launches (prior models drop in price); Black Friday for the widest selection iPhones: Usually cheapest in October, when Apple releases new models and older generations drop $100–$200

Groceries

Best strategy: Shop with a list; buy store brands; stock up on non-perishables when on sale. Grocery prices don’t have a dramatic seasonal pattern, but:

Turkeys: November, week before Thanksgiving
Grilling items: Memorial Day, July 4th
Candy: Day after Halloween, day after Valentine’s, day after Easter

How to Maximize Savings Year-Round

Build a wishlist, not an impulse purchase: List items you need/want. Check them against the calendar above and wait for the right month.
Set price alerts: Google Shopping, CamelCamelCamel (Amazon price tracker), and Honey all alert you when prices drop.
Shop return policies: Buy during sales; return if quality disappoints.
Use credit card rewards: The right card can earn 2–5% cash back on major purchases, compounding savings on top of seasonal discounts.
Compare total cost: Sale price plus financing terms. A “50% off” appliance financed at 28% APR may cost more than the full price paid in cash.

Ways to Build Good Money Habits — spending discipline strategies
Best Money-Saving Apps 2026 — tools to find deals automatically
Banking Basics Hub — complete banking guide

Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy