Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to save more money this year? The best way to save is to plan ahead! Take a look at how to maximize your savings this year by buying your favourite items at prime times.
Here’s a guide to the best things to buy every month of the year.
January
Fitness equipment
Fitness equipment often goes on sale in January since retailers are very aware of people’s New Year’s resolutions to get healthy and fit.
Linens
January is one of the best months to buy new linens as white sales are a tradition the first month of the year.
February
Winter apparel
With the winter coming to an end, in February you’ll find that seasonal apparel is discounted as retailers are getting their shelves ready for spring apparel. Canadian winters last at least another month, so it’s the perfect time to take advantages of the sales!
TVs
TVs are also known to go on sale in February, so if you need a new Netflix player, now is the time to buy.
March
Tax software
With tax day coming up at the end of April, you can find discounted tax software and tax-prep items in March to prepare for busy tax season.
Luggage
Have any trips planned this year? March is the time to buy luggage since it goes on sale due to spring break and people traveling south to get out of the cold.
April
Summer air travel
April is the prime time to get your hands on discounted summer air travel. If you plan to take a trip this summer, wait until April to get the best deals!
Vacuums
April is also the first full month of spring, which means items like vacuums and other household cleaning items get discounted with spring cleaning sales!
May
Appliances
Big appliances like refrigerators usually go on sale in May in preparation of new models being released come summertime.
Mattresses
By the end of April, new mattress models have typically hit the stores, which means you can score deals on an older model.
June
Gym memberships
If you’re looking to get a new gym membership, June may be the best month to do so. Since many people opt to work out outside in the summer, you’ll find gyms giving discounts to drive up their sales.
Lingerie
Victoria’s Secret holds their semi-annual sale in June, so it’s a good month to stock up on your lingerie!
July
Summer apparel
Summer apparel clearance sales start happening in July since retailers start bringing their fall collections out in August. Plan ahead for next year or any warm winter travels you have in the books!
Home decor and furniture
New furniture models are usually released in August, so you can get your hands on discounted last season items in July. As the season changes to fall, you’ll also find “summer” home decor items going on sale.
August
Swimsuits
With August being the final month of summer, swimsuits always go on sale. Stock up for next summer now, you’ll be so happy you did!
Laptops, computers and office supplies
You don’t have to be going back to school to take advantage of the awesome sales on laptops, computers and office supplies that happen in August!
September
Apple products
New Apple products (especially iPhones) are known to be released in September. Although you may not get a discount on the new products, many retailers are looking to offer deals to make the sale. Plus, current items drop in price, so if you’re good with an older model, get your hands on one in September.
Denim
Denim is a quintessential fall staple, and with so many retailers launching denim for fall, many put their denim on sale in September to stay ahead of the game.
October
Patio furniture
Patio season is coming to a close, so naturally, patio furniture is discounted. If your patio needs some love, outfit it in October.
Off-season travel
October is one of the cheapest times to travel because it’s the off-season. If you’re in need of a getaway and are on a budget, travel in October!
November
Electronics and big ticket items
You know what November means. That’s right, Black Friday, the biggest sale of the year. If you’re in the market for new electronics or other big ticket items, wait until Black Friday deals to make your purchases.
Halloween costumes, candy and decorations
Post-Halloween you can get all your spooky goodies for next year. Except for the candy. Eat the candy now.
December
Christmas decorations, wrapping paper, holiday cards, etc.
Everything from Christmas decorations to trees to wrapping paper drops in price on December 24.
Treat yourself on boxing day
On Boxing Day, retailers offer deals on everything from apparel and furniture to shoes and cameras. If you’ve had your eye on something for yourself after the busy gifting season of December, Boxing Day is your day!
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Apple is a multi-billion dollar company, with over five hundred store locations. That means there’s probably a lot of things that we don’t know.
Luckily, former employees were able to give us the full scoop on everything there is to know about shopping and even working at Apple.
It’s really hard to get hired by Apple
Unsurprisingly enough, Apple’s hiring process is a bit of an intense one. They have a lower acceptance rate than Harvard. So, if you’re planning on applying, you better make sure your resume is top-notch.
Instagram/ @techs_bikes
The employee benefits are awesome
Although the pay isn’t amazing, their benefits package certainly is. Employees receive part-time health benefits, $100 a month for commuting to work, 201K match, and an employee discount on all products.
Employees aren’t allowed to talk about their job on social media
Apparently taking pictures in the Apple work uniform is a big no-no, and because of this, a few people started up an underground, anonymous Apple staff Twitter account called “Genius Bar Tales”, where they can go to vent their frustrations. The account now has over 13K followers.
Instagram/ @mirelledutra.santos
The employees can see the comments you leave on surveys
If you decide to fill out the online survey about your in-store experience, the employee that helped you will get a chance to read it — so tread lightly.
Certain words are off-limits to sales employees
For example, instead of telling a customer “I don’t know”, they would have to say “Let’s find out together” instead. Or, instead of saying “unfortunately”, they would swap that for “as it turns out”. They are also not allowed to point at products, or at screens when they’re trying to indicate something to a customer. They must use a pen or a pointy object as an extension of their hand.
Instagram/ @iphonecase_sss
All apple headphones and chargers are covered under a one-year warranty
Apple headphones and chargers have a tendency to fall apart quite quickly. But at least if it’s within the first year of purchase, you can return them for ones in mint condition.
You can self-checkout at the store
This not-so-well-known feature could really come in handy. Considering the Apple store is almost always flooded with people, making it almost impossible to get the attention of an employee, and check out your items in under 20 minutes. Using the Apple store app, you can scan the barcode and pay through your Apple ID. The downside to this feature is that it’s only available for smaller less expensive items, like headphones and other accessories.
Instagram/ @budvicapple
Every store has free workshops
Every day Apple holds workshops to help customers learn and take full advantage of their Apple products. For example, things like how to draw or paint using an iPad, how to edit photos on an iPhone, and how to edit videos on a Mac. These workshops are free of charge, and you can attend as many as you want, as frequently as you want.
Everyone can get a student discount
In store, you will only be able to get a student discount if you can prove you’re a student by showing your student ID. However, if you make an online purchase, you won’t be asked for any type of verification. So, you can lie to your heart’s content.
Featured image: Pexels
As someone who works in retail by day and lives to shop by night, I know a thing or two about sales tactics. Yes, there are a bunch of enticing ways in which retailers try to persuade you into spending just a bit more money than you may have originally intended to. These sneaky promotional techniques are becoming increasingly popular as many retailers struggle to stay afloat. Do these spending tricks work? I’m sure you’ve fallen victim to one or two before… I know I have. Here are 8 ways retailers trick you into spending more money.
Strategically Placed Items by the Checkout
Look away! Some retailers will configure their checkout lineups to wrap around strategically placed product displays. These product displays are typically stocked with tiny products in pretty packaging that would make great gift add-ons. Don’t be fooled – your money is not worth the value of these trial size items.
A Coupon Off Your Next Purchase with a Minimum Purchase Spend
It’s really ingenious isn’t it… when a retailer entices you to spend X dollars in order to receive a coupon for X dollars off of your NEXT purchase? It’s a double whammy. These retailers are giving you a coupon for a future purchase that you hadn’t even considered making yet. Well done!
A Free Gift with a Minimum Purchase Spend
Do you really need that free gift with the brand’s name plastered across it? Probably not. Brands love having you advertising for them by first, asking you to spend more money and then second, by gifting you a tote bag with their name all over it. Think twice next time you increase your spending for a free goodie; it’ll probably just end up in the donation pile with all of the others. #Guilty
BOGO Sales
You know ‘BOGO’… short for “Buy One, Get One”. No longer is it the standard ‘Buy One, Get One Free’. BOGO now seems to be taking on percentages (i.e. Buy One, Get One for 50% off). Did you ever really need two? No. Did you only want two if the second one was absolutely free? Of course. Don’t be fooled – nothing is better than free. Period.
Contests
Something as simple as a contest can entice you to spend more money with a retailer (for example, did you really want that coffee, or did you just want a chance to “Roll Up the Rim”?) There’s really no need to spend more with a retailer in order to participate in their contest. Under the Criminal Code of Canada, contests must be structured as ‘no purchase necessary’ and provide a ‘free entry alternative’ for non-customers. Most people don’t know this one 🙂
Free Shipping for a Minimum Order Spend
Ever fall for this? David’s Tea and Zara are two retailers that I just can’t crack! They both have sneakily priced their merchandise so that you can never just purchase one or two items in order to reach the minimum spend for free shipping. In an effort to spend $50 for free shipping, I end up with $95 of goods in my cart. I minus well just get up and walk to the store in that case…
Paid Loyalty Program Memberships
While some rewards programs are beneficial, those that require you to purchase an annual membership aren’t always going to serve you enough value to justify the additional cost. Retailers love a good paid membership program – this is how they get shoppers to cough up money before even spending a dime on actual merchandise. Be cautious before signing up and ask yourself if you truly shop at this retailer often enough to justify paying for their loyalty.
‘Limited Time Only’ Sales
‘Buy it now before it’s gone!’ Yes, I’ve heard that one before… especially at Structube for some reason. Some retailers will trick you into spending more money on the spot by leading on that a sale does not have a definitive end date and that an item may revert back to it’s regular price the next day. If the item’s sale price is too good to be true – purchase it! However, if you’re convinced that you could get that item at a later date for a better price, risk it and hold off until when you’re comfortable.
Do these retailer tricks to spend more money work on you? Leave a comment down below.
(Images via Cristina Avila)