Many products follow a predictable price cycle: they are cheapest at the end of their season, when shops need to clear stock, and during a few big sale events such as Black Friday and the January sales. If you can wait, timing a purchase can save a meaningful amount on things you were going to buy anyway, from winter coats to garden furniture.
The calendar below shows when prices tend to fall. It is a guide to typical patterns, not a guarantee, so always check the price history before you buy.
The month-by-month calendar
| Month | Often cheaper | Why |
|---|---|---|
| January | Winter clothing, bedding, towels, Christmas decorations, fitness kit late in the month | Post-Christmas clearance and January sales |
| February | Winter coats and boots, some electricals | Last of the winter stock |
| March | Used cars, some new cars | New registration plates arrive in March, and dealers chase targets |
| April | Winter sports gear, Easter chocolate after Easter | End of season and post-holiday reductions |
| May | Bank holiday sales on furniture and home goods | Two bank holiday weekends |
| June | Mid-season summer clothing sales | Shops start clearing for autumn |
| July | Electricals and household items during big online sale events | Summer sale events by large online retailers |
| August | Garden furniture, barbecues, summer clothing, school uniform basics | End of summer clearance |
| September | Used cars, outdoor and camping gear | New registration plates again, and end of summer season |
| October | Summer holiday packages for next year (early booking), some electricals | Early booking offers and clearance before new models |
| November | TVs, laptops, small appliances, toys | Black Friday and Cyber Monday |
| December | Party wear and gifts after Christmas, Boxing Day sales | Clearance starts on Boxing Day |
Bills and services have seasons too
It is not just shopping. Some of the biggest savings come from timing renewals and bookings.
- Insurance: since 2022, insurers cannot charge renewing customers more than new customers for the same cover, but prices still vary between providers, so compare quotes a few weeks before your renewal date rather than on the day.
- Energy: the Ofgem price cap changes every January, April, July and October. Check whether a fixed tariff beats the cap when a new cap is announced.
- Holidays: travelling outside school holidays is usually far cheaper. Booking early or very late can both work, depending on the destination.
- Broadband and mobile: many providers raise prices in April. When your contract ends, move to a cheaper deal or SIM-only plan.
- Council tax: new bills arrive in March for the year from April. Check you are on the right band and getting any discounts you are entitled to.
Check a deal is really a deal
A sale label does not always mean a lower price. Before buying, check the item's price history using a price tracking website or browser extension, compare the same model at several retailers, and look at the unit price for everyday goods. Be wary of 'was' prices that were only charged briefly, countdown timers and 'only 2 left' messages. If an item is regularly on offer, the offer price is effectively the normal price.
Our Black Friday budget guide goes into this in more detail for November's sales.
Make the calendar work: a wish list and a sinking fund
Timing only saves money if you would have bought the item anyway. Keep a running wish list of things you need, with the price you would be happy to pay, and buy when an item reaches that price during its cheap season. Anything not on the list is an impulse buy, however good the discount.
Then put a little aside each month so the money is ready when the right time comes. That is the idea behind a sinking fund. If you expect to spend £300 on a new washing machine in the November sales, saving £25 a month from December means you can pay in full without a credit card. The savings goal calculator works out the monthly amount, and SYM can break it into a daily habit.
Plan around the big spending months
Some months are expensive whatever you buy: December for Christmas, late August and September for back to school, and summer for holidays. Look ahead in the calendar and start saving for these months early, so the January sales are an opportunity rather than a time to recover. For a bill-by-bill view of the year, see our 12-month seasonal spending planner, and use the budget planner to fit the extra costs into your monthly budget.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest month to buy a TV in the UK?
When is the best time to buy garden furniture?
When do the January sales start?
Is it cheaper to buy a car in March or September?
Are Black Friday deals worth it?
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