April is the time to buy…

Certain times of the year are the best times to buy various things based on sales and availability. Here is your tip sheet for this month:

∞ Certain fruits: grapefruit, oranges, pineapple, and strawberries

∞ Certain vegetables: artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, green onions, lettuce, peas, rhubarb, and spinach

∞ Cookware: Along with May, October, and November, April is a good time for buying cookware. This is the time when consumers are preparing for end-of-the-year holidays.

∞ Furnace: Spring and Fall are the best times to replace your furnace. This is because during winter and summer, contractors are busy with heating and cooling calls. They offer good deals during their non-busy seasons.

∞ Jewelry: January, March, April, July, August, and September (the non-gift giving months), are when stores offer their real sales on merchandise.

∞ Raincoats: With the rainy season comes many raincoats in stock. However, the rainy season may be short, retailers have only a limited time to sell their wares = sales!

∞ Small appliances and other electronics: New models are often introduced around this time and retailers want to get rid of their older ones.

∞ Sneakers: Many charity walks are in April which means sales for everyday consumers.

∞ Thrift store deals: Spring is the best time to shop at thrift markets because people are spring cleaning. Some may choose to sell their wares at garage sales, while others take them straight to a resale or thrift shop. If the stores get really crowded with merchandise, store owners will mark down items, especially winter pieces.

∞ Vacuum cleaner: Retailers will drop their prices on these to make room for new models which come out in June.

Sources:
– “Buy Ketchup in May and Fly at Noon: A Guide to the Best Time to Buy This, Do That, and Go There” by Mark Di Vincenzo
– “Your Month-to-Month Guide to Shopping Deals” from Real Simple Magazine.

Related articles:

• Best things to buy in April (cbsnews.com)
• Crib Recall: The Thrift Store Concern (danielrrosen.com)
• Save Money with Thrift Store Strategies (urbanmoocher.com)