Getting Great Deals

Learn the best time of year for major purchases

Nothing feels better than getting great deals on big-ticket items and experiences for your home and family.

Here’s a handy guide to help you find what’s on sale when:

January. With warm weather long gone, pools and hot tubs are at their lowest prices in winter. You’ll also find deals on TVs, electronics, and fitness equipment.

February. Cameras and other small electronics are clearing out, as well as some appliances and furniture. Boat show season means now is the time to buy a boat.

March. Consider an end-of-season ski trip or find the perfect set of luggage as travel season gets underway. You might also find a deal on a smartphone (non-Apple).

April. Cruises and tropical vacations start going on sale in mid-April as the peak season winds down.

May. Memorial Day is synonymous with mattress deals. And it may be a good time to buy a new refrigerator.

June. Find last-minute bookings on cruises at deeply discounted rates as hurricane season draws near. Be on the lookout for tools, too.

July. Air conditioners go on sale and furniture deals appear as showrooms make room for new models arriving in August.

August. Laptop deals abound as retailers compete for the back-to-school market.

September. Buy or lease a car at the start of the new model year. Retailers start deeply discounting outdoor patio goods, while Apple brings down the prices on its last generation of phones and tablets.

October. Not many discounts on big-ticket items in October, although you can find some good deals on camping gear and other summer sundries.

November. Appliances, furniture, and electronics are big draws, with special prices around the Thanksgiving holiday.

December. As business travelers stay home for the holidays, you can snag good deals on flights to Europe.

For more details on when to score the best deals, check out Time or Business Insider.