A sale is an event in which products or services are discounted from the regular prices. You’ve likely heard “I bought it on sale and saved so much money” from a friend or family member. A purchase of an item not needed, not your size or color, not useable in your home, or not giftable is not saving money at any price!
When a sale item is needed, useful, you like it and it fits, then you may indeed have saved yourself money. Beware however, spending the savings to buy even more than you would have otherwise is still NOT a savings.
A sale appeals to our hunting and gathering instincts – to find something that we need, or think we need, and to bring it home. For a business, a sale gets the item out of the store, off the shelves, and off the inventory logs. In theory, everyone wins. However, see the prior paragraph and shop carefully, very carefully.
To assist your careful shopping, look for seasonal or month-specific sales. An abbreviated seasonal sale schedule follows. More detailed month-over-month lists can be found online. Search “seasonal sales” and you’ll find a treasure trove of listings.
- Daily – watch online for Cyber-shopping sale dates and ongoing coupon and discount codes for savings.
- After Thanksgiving.
- After Christmas.
- After any holiday when inventory remains.
- December/January, May and September – appliances and electronics.
- January – fall and winter items go on sale.
- January – white sales for linens, bedding, towels.
- June/July – spring and summer items go on sale.
- July – school supplies and clothing.
- September – furniture.
- October and December – car prices drop because new models are being introduced.
Last year when I needed to replace a leaking dishwasher, I held out until May and saved $250 on my purchase. The savings paid for the installation kit and installer’s work. This sale was indeed a savings because in order to protect my kitchen and kitchen floor, the old leaking machine had to be replaced.
What sale shopping do you wish you would have skipped?
What sale shopping are you mindful to take advantage of each year?
Nesting is about the objects and experiences that create a sense of home. Without home, it is difficult to maintain health, find joy, or to be productive. Enjoy the Nesting series of blogs on your search for and creation of a deep sense of home. –Jana
Jana Kemp
