When is the best time to buy everything? | YBS
If you’re trying to save – or you’re cutting down on expenses – that doesn’t mean you won’t need to buy anything.
You might be able to save by buying at specific times – by buying out of season or waiting for sales to kick in.
We asked our colleagues to share their tips for saving across the year and brought them together – to find the best times in the year to buy (almost) everything.
You might be able to save by buying at specific times – by buying out of season or waiting for sales to kick in.
We asked our colleagues to share their tips for saving across the year and brought them together – to find the best times in the year to buy (almost) everything.
January - March
Christmas decorations
It’s never too early to think about Christmas! In January all the Christmas decorations you’ll need to transform your home into Santa’s Grotto may be available for a fraction of the cost.Festive food
After Christmas, festive food is likely to drop in price almost overnight. If you’ve the space in your freezer, you could find turkeys, joints of meat and all the trimmings available for less. Check how long they can be frozen for and enjoy reduced cost meals over the winter months.Gym memberships
Winter is a key time for new gym memberships – getting in shape was one of the key New Year’s resolutions in the UK for 2022. Gyms often have deals for new sign ups in January, to compete for this rise in budding gym-goers.
Sports equipment
As the start of the year is when people set their fitness goals, sports and fitness equipment could be cheaper.Outdoor sports equipment might be more affordable while it’s snowy and raining – invest in a football, net, and all the kit needed for an action-packed summer.
April - August
Easter chocolate
Once Easter has passed, chocolate eggs and Easter treats will drop drastically in price – the perfect time to grab a sweet treat.
Spring clothing
In May, when the season starts to change, it can be a good time to grab a bargain. Clothing shops will want to clear their shelves of their spring range before launching their summer styles, so keep an eye out for big discounts.
Televisions
New TV models are often released between April and July. Try checking for last years’ models around this time – you may find they’ve been discounted as manufacturers push the newer version. According to Digital Trends, March is a key month for finding a deal on a TV.
Clothing
Summer sales start to arrive in mid to late July. Subscribing to mailing lists for the brands you like could mean you’re in a good position to get what you’ve had your eye on.
If you’re into buying second-hand – using online auction websites or second-hand clothing apps – the summer months are a prime time to shop for jackets and coats.
Demand may be lower when it’s hotter, so you might grab a bargain for when winter comes around again.
September - December
Garden furniture and equipment
As summer draws to a close, it might be a good time to pick up garden furniture, as stores look to clear their seasonal stock before the colder months arrive.
Need a new lawnmower? Autumn is the time to look for a replacement in preparation for next year.
BBQs
Another summer staple, you may find that prices of BBQs and outdoor cooking equipment fall towards the end of September, as the hot weather starts to cool off.
Electronics
Moving into November, Black Friday and Cyber Monday arrive late in the month. Electronics are the name of the game for both these sale events, with a subtle difference between the two:
- Black Friday – big ticket items, like TVs and laptops. Usually means sales in high street shops too.
- Cyber Monday – appliances and smaller home electronics. Discounts will be mostly online.
Pre-Christmas discounts
The days of sales kicking in after Christmas day are long gone. You’ll often find that sales begin in the weeks preceding Christmas – where everything from toys and gifts to clothing and electronics will fall in price.
Saving throughout the year
Train tickets
Buying train tickets in advance – around 10-12 weeks before according to MoneySavingExpert. You can also sign up to notifications with different train providers to know when tickets are being released, so you’ll be able to travel for less.
Flights
How much flight costs can vary depending on your destination (and where you’re flying from), but planning in advance could help you save.
According to Jacks Flight Club, booking a flight between 3-9 months in advance could save you money. Waiting until the last minute could be a risky game, as flights could sell out or fail to drop in price.
Leave items in your basket
Online retails will sometimes offer a discount (between 5%-10% typically) if you leave items in your basket – but don’t check out.
Try it out by adding what you want, then waiting a couple of a days. Check your inbox to see if you’ve been offered a discount code to encourage you to buy.
Click and collect
Postage can add another cost to what you buy – check if the retailer you’re using offers click and collect. Often, it’s free to collect from store rather than paying for delivery.
The content on this page is for reference and does not constitute financial advice.
For impartial financial advice, try MoneyHelper.
For impartial financial advice, try MoneyHelper.
