When Where How to Buy
Sooner or later just about everything goes on sale. Knowing when items are at their lowest prices and buying them before you need them is a shopping technique that can save you hundreds of dollars every year on all kinds of items from groceries to gifts! This is the “When Where How” to buy things so that you get the most for your money.
Spring is almost here! Don’t let the warmer weather entice you into spending too much. Here’s what you need to know about making purchases this month.
Best Things To Buy In March:
From the Grocery Stores
- Frozen Foods March is National Frozen Food month, so you’ll find lots of sales and coupons on healthy veggies and fruits now. Stock your freezer up for stir-fry dishes and smoothies this summer. Frozen items on sale will include vegetables, fruits, ice cream, breakfasts, lunches and dinner entrees and pizza.
- Spring Cleaning Items The warmer temperatures will bring about Spring Cleaning sales. Look for sales and coupons on cleaning items in March for things like furniture polish, carpet cleaners, bathroom cleaners, window cleaner, kitchen and all-purpose cleaners, power washers and other cleaning supplies.
In Season Produce The cheapest produce in stores and at local farmer’s markets is always what’s in season. Here’s a list of in-season fruits and veggies for March:
- Avocado
- Beans
- Beets
- Berries
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Citrus (including oranges, grapefruit and tangerines)
- Lettuce (all kinds)
- Mangoes
- Peas
- Spinach
Chocolate!
Valentine’s Day has passed and left behind clearance chocolate gifts! Especially watch those high end chocolate shoppes like Godiva and Lindt where you’ll find discounts of up to 50% off. Also check the gift section of department stores. Who cares if the chocolates are in a heart shaped box? They’re on sale!
Winter Coats and Sporting Gear
Stores with winter clothing and sports gear will be clearing out their inventory to make way for the warmer seasoned gear. Planning a ski trip or winter vacation for next winter? Now is the time to buy the outerwear you’ll need.
Jewelry
Now that Valentine’s Day is over, March is a generally slow month for jewelry sales. This could be the time to negotiate a great price on a high end piece. Most jewelry is sold during months that have holidays, so April and May will bring higher prices with Graduations and Mother’s Day. However, with no major holidays in July and August, jewelers will offer lower prices to lure in customers during those months as well.
Video Games
The same newly-released titles that were so desirable at Christmas time are now likely on sale! If you were able to resist purchasing them a couple of months ago, your patience it about to be rewarded. If you did purchase some of those newly-released games in early winter, you should be able to trade them in toward new or slightly used games now for a big discount.
Boats
Boat shows abound in the month of March. Look for great deals on used boats as people start trying to sell their current model to upgrade to a newer one.
Luggage
It’s time to think about your summer travels! Retailers such as Sears, Macy’s and Walmart will have good sales this month on luggage before travel-heavy spring and summer.
What NOT To Buy in March:
Here are a few of the items you’ll want to purchase another time:
- Vacuum Cleaners – Fall and Winter months will have better prices.
- Gym Memberships – Wait till April. Once the weather warms up, you’ll see deals on gym memberships!
- Spring Apparel – Wait one more month if you can! April and May will bring lower prices.
- Patio Furniture – The next big sales happen around Memorial Day. Need it now? Try Craig’s List or your local classified ads for great deals on used patio furniture.
~ Happy March Bargain Shopping!
What about the rest of the year?
Check out our popular series
What To Buy & What Not To Buy Month By Month.
