Well, if you live in today's instant gratification society, which you do if you are reading this article then - the time to buy is now. But if you are interested in saving money, perhaps shopping around and being patient could save you thousands of dollars in your bank account.
Let us look at electronics for example. A lot of electronics are made in Japan. If you are shopping for new electronics and want a good deal, a time to look is in the spring. Japanese electronics companies begin their fiscal year starting in April. What does this have to do with you - big discounts! Electronics companies release their new models in the spring and early summer and they need to make room for these products. They do this by reducing prices on last year's models to sell them. Pay attention to the electronics sales during this time and you might find more green in your pocket just like mother nature is springing forth new green in the spring.
Now, let's look at some other areas to save money.
Perhaps you want new furniture too; if you are in the market for electronics. The best time to buy furniture is April and October. The worst time to buy just might be the big holiday sales events that are advertised on TV where it seems like every commercial is advertising huge savings. April and October just so happen to correspond to furniture industry product line trade shows when new product lines are revealed. Again, like electronics the stores have to have room to showcase the new models so, you guessed it, the out going models go on sale. So do some planning and look around during these times, you'll find the deals.
Next, toys - let's see - the holiday shopping season. Yes this a good time to buy, but what about other times. The probably with the holiday season is that everyone else is buying then too and you might not find what you want. Try the end of summer as the kids are going back to school. Again, this is tied to changing inventory. The stores have to get ready for the holiday season. To get ready for the holiday season the stores have to make room - this means sales. Just think, send the kids to school and go toys shopping when no one else is - you might find a deal and what you want.
Another item definitely worth mentioning and one that is near and dear to my wife is clothing. Try going on Thursdays. If you wait until the weekend you're likely to find other folks shopping looking for the best deals and selections which means lines and picked through clothing racks. Going early gets you there at the beginning of the weekend promotion. Give it whirl - you might be surprised and find what you want, for the price you like, in less time than if you went on the weekend.
What about travel? Plane tickets – yes there's a secret to purchasing plane tickets. This comes two fold. First, try using a service such as a Travelocity.com or Expedia.com to name a few. These services offer great savings on package deals – get your plane tickets, hotel room and rental car for one low price. I recently purchased a travel package for business that saved me not only money, but time. I didn't have to call the airlines, the car rental company, and the hotel. These were all right at my finger tips and it worked great. The second way to save money on plane tickets is to purchase them mid week, say on Wednesday am. If you pay attention you might notice early week competition between the airlines following their weekend fare announcements. If you purchase mid week, there will still be seats to pick from, and the sales hit the bottom in preparation for the next weekend's pricing adjustments.
Another item to watch is gas. The gasoline industry denies it - they don't gouge prices, but why does it seem like before holidays and weekends prices go up? Try filling up Thursday am and see what happens to your savings over the course of time if you were to buy gas on Friday or Saturday.
Last but not least - buying a car. Almost everyone I know has some sort of story when it comes to buying a car. It's bad enough to have to play the sales game with the 'let me see what my manager can do' but do we ever really know if we're getting a good deal? Several suggestions here might help. First, shop online. You can find out the price of cars online and even locate what and where to buy what you want. Next, the next year's models come out in early fall and to make room - yes you guessed it again - the old inventory has to go. Shop in the early fall. Also, shop in the mornings when everyone else is at work. Sales people don't have to worry about tending to everyone running around the lot looking as they'll be at work. You'll get undivided attention and possibly a deal. And finally, go at the end of the month - it's all about quotas. If the dealership has made their monthly quotas, they are likely to make a deal.
Well, that's it. I hope this list helps you save money. My advice - give up instant gratification - plan ahead and save yourself some money. And if you just cannot hold yourself back, while you are at it, shop for a new credit card - one that has low introductory offers so you can do balance transfers after the holidays and start paying your debt off.
Written by Staff Writer
