We all like to save money shopping. Buy items when they are in demand or in season and you will pay full price. Timing your purchases is one of many ways to save money.
Retailers want to have the inventory on the shelves to fit the season when people buy those items the most. Timing your purchases is one of many strategies to save money.
Making purchases when there is low demand and high inventory is a great money-saving tip. You can save money on clothing buying them out of season when there is low demand. Items like fruits and vegetables are at lower prices when they are in season and inventory is high.
Here is a list of 10 ways to save money on your purchases.
The End of a Retail Season
Retailers buy inventory for seasons and you can get the best deals at thee end of a retail season. You can buy winter clothing in January or February as retailers clear inventory for spring and summer. Summer items in September and outdoor items after Labor day.
Supply and Demand
Use the laws of supply and demand to your advantage. Christmas items such as wrapping paper and decorations go on sale right after Christmas when demand is low. Valentines Day is a high demand time for flowers and chocolate. If you are a chocolate lover (yummy!) you can get some great bargains after Valentines Day.
When to Buy Clothes
Designers shows occur in February and September. This is when retail buyers place orders for their Summer/Spring and Fall/Winter inventory. These are when you see the season ending sales where you get the best prices.
If you want the newest fashions then you should wait five to seven weeks after an item hits the stores. During this time the items should go on sale. The best day of the week to shop is on Thursday evening. Most stores have deliveries on that day so by the evening the racks are fully stock with all sizes. The weekend is the worst time to buy unless it is a weekend only sale.
When to Buy Back to School Items
Notebooks, paper, pencils, pens and other school supplies do not go bad. In August these items are in high demand as you get ready to send your kids back to school. Stock up in September and October when prices are their lowest.
Discontinued Items
We’ve all shopped white sales in January for sheets and other textile items. Retailers want to clear their shelves to make room for new items. Typically these occur right before or after major trade shows.
For instance furniture shows make July a good time to buy furniture. TV and electronics prices are usually best in December and January as the new models are announced.
When to Buy Groceries
Everyone has strategies for getting the best deals on groceries. If you shop at chain stores the best times to shop are Sunday through Tuesday so you can get coupons from the Sunday paper and other sources to match store sales.
Most stores start new sales on Wednesday so you can pickup some specials that you won’t have a coupon for on that day. Check and see if your supermarket has special email sale items. You only need to sign up online and you will receive emails once or twice a week with special savings.
When to Buy a House
January is a good time to buy a house because in the winter most people are not in the home buying mood. Sellers however want to unload their house so they can buy one in the Spring. Eager sellers are willing to deal and low demand from buyers make January the perfect time.
When to Buy a Car
Cars are another timed purchase that you can save big on. Some dealers will mark down their inventory as much as 20% to clear their lost for new models. When you see new models being released head down to your dealer for a great deal on this years model. The best time to go is at the end of the month when salespeople are eager to meet their quotas for the month.
When to Get Married
All brides seem to dream of a June wedding which makes it one of the most expensive months to get married. Not many people want to marry in the winter so you can find some bargains. Valentines Day weddings are the winter exception.
When to Buy Appliances
You will find good sales on appliances often, but the best time to buy appliances is on a holiday weekend. On the Fourth of July and Labor day weekends retailers slash prices like no other time of year.
