Electronics

    * Blu-ray player: Black Friday sales and after-Christmas sales offer some of the best deals.
    * TV: You can find sales throughout the year. Times to note include Black Friday, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, right after New Year’s Day, before the Super Bowl, and in May and June. New models hit stores in August and September, when you’ll find sales on those new models and discounts on the previous year’s models.
    * Cell phone: New customers get the best deals. For new phones, wait six months if you can. Search online for coupon codes, as well.
    * Digital camera: The Consumer Electronics Show and Photo Marketing Association convention mean new models will arrive in stores soon after. Shop in January and February for deals on last year’s models.
    * Computer: Back-to-school season yields a few sales, but you can find the best deals when a technology is outdated and retailers want to get rid of the older models. Look for a few extras (free shipping, bundled accessories, etc.) around the holidays.

Tip: In general, you’ll find a good deal when an electronic item is outdated. Wait until after technology shows like MacWorld and the International Consumer Electronics Show to see if your iWhatever will be discounted to make way for the next big thing.

Auto

    * New car: New models roll into the lot in fall, so shop in September for last year’s model. Shop on a weekday at the end of the month to get the undivided attention of a salesperson trying to make his monthly quota.
    * Used car: Dealers increase their inventory in April to start the spring selling season. You’ll find a good selection and willing negotiators.
    * Recreational vehicle: Dealers sometimes offer specials in winter, but generally buying an RV works like buying a car.
    * Gasoline: Fuel up on a weekday, early in the morning if gas prices are rising or in the evening, if gas prices are going down (prices are usually changed between 10 a.m. and noon).
    * Oil change: Look for early-bird specials in your area.
    * Tires and auto parts: During April (National Car Care Month) and October (Fall Car Care Month), you are likely to find buy-three-get-one-free deals on tires, free oil changes, and other checkups.
    * Car wash: Early birds (before 8 or 9 a.m.) can often find deals at full-service car washes.

Travel

    * Airline tickets: For domestic, non-holiday travel, look for the lowest fares twenty-one days from your departure. Fares are updated at 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 8:00 p.m. on weekdays, and airlines file one update on Saturday and Sunday. Airlines file the lowest fares on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and occasionally on Saturdays. Wednesday is generally the cheapest day to fly and Sunday the most expensive. (Exception: the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year.) For holiday travel, start looking in September to get a good price. Fares can change quickly, and much depends on the carrier and the market.
    * Travel (general): The off-season or shoulder-season for your destination will offer the most savings on lodging, recreation, transportation, etc.

Food

    * Groceries (supermarket): On Sunday evenings, you’ll save money through store sales (typically run Wednesday through Thursday), and by shopping in the evening, you can save even more on items that must be sold by day’s end. If you clip coupons from the Sunday newspaper, you’ll enjoy additional savings.
    * Coupons: While coupons are available throughout the year, the most coupons appear in the Sunday paper during November and December. Find the best deals on turkeys two weeks before Thanksgiving all the way to Christmas. In spring, you’ll find coupons on seasonal produce, ham, and frozen food. (Apparently, March is National Frozen Food Month—who knew?) Summer coupons offer discounts on grilling items and ice cream. Autumn brings coupons on soup and other canned items.
    * Groceries (farmers market): Vendors often lower prices near closing to avoid having to pack up perishables and take them back to the farm.
    * Champagne: With steep competition to be your New Year’s Eve bubbly, Champagne houses drop prices during the holidays.

上一页  [1] [2] [3] 下一页