When is the Best Time to Shop for Home Goods?

Making that perfect purchase for your home and/or family can be a thrilling experience, whether you just moved into a new place, want to revamp the decor, or are quite simply looking for a change in your taste. Whatever the reason, did you know that finding the right time to purchase your new treasures can significantly impact your pocketbook and the availability of products? In this article, we will review when the best time to shop for home goods is so that you can make informed decisions and save money while Purchasing with a Purpose.

Seasonal Sales

You’ve seen all the signs: “Big Deals”, “40% off”, “Clearance Event”.

But did you know that the best time to purchase your seasonal decor is not during the heat of the season but rather after the season is over? Retailers rotate their seasonal merchandise in sync with the changing seasons, meaning they offer discounts on products that are no longer in season to make room for the new!

• Spring into Season: Early spring is a great time to start searching for promotional deals in regards to cleaning, organizing, home improvement, and gardening! Many companies offer great promotions to start the season off right so that when planting season comes around you are ready to get your yard into shape after the long winter. This sale isn’t an after season sale but because it starts before the season happens it’s still very important to pay attention to it so that you can be prepared as soon as the season hits. Starting a garden late can have more adverse effects on your crops than buying the product on time. During the late Spring I also love to start checking out the winter clearance! Cracked sleds, snow shovels, really anything that will make next winter easier on you should be on your list to purchase when the snow starts clearing up and the stores are getting ready for those big summer days ahead!

• Summer Sales: The early summer months are a great time to start purchasing those spring finds that you didn't absolutely need right away. Maybe you need better storage boxes or more cleaning supplies after your spring cleaning whipped your house back into shape? I have a soft spot for spring decor with all the fresh blooms and pastel colors! Those adorable decorations always seem that much better at a 70% discount from their original price. The funny thing is most spring decor will actually transition into summer notes very nicely if you get the right buys!

• Falling into Fabulous: Remember that super cute patio furniture you wanted in the summer but the price tag was too much to swallow? Well it's probably on sale now! I love entertaining people in the fall! The weather cools down and you can finally sit outside without melting into a puddle on the cement! I also love it because that’s when the furniture I’ve been eyeing all summer goes on sale for the outdoors! Just in time for that patio party you’ve been dying to host! Look for those great summer clearance sales and ga ahead and buy that new garden hose to replace the one the puppy chewed! The gardening and outdoor products are hitting the end of season sales to make room for the highly-anticipated christmas!

• Post-Christmas sales: oh my gosh I know I skipped over the holiday sales! Holiday sales are awesome and during the winter there are a TON of sales!! If you can’t find a sale during the holidays…. You probably aren’t alive. You are missed. Everyone else, you see that sales! Holiday sales are awesome but a great rule to live by is to make a list! Yup, the biggest way I fight the urge to purchase anything and every little discounted thing is to stick to my list! While Holiday sales are magical, I’m going to let you in on my best money saving shopping secret, the post holiday sales (usually the day after christmas to new years) is a HUGE time to shop for deeply discounted items!! I am not joking! Everyone is usually financially tapped out because of the shopping leading up to christmas so the post-christmas sale has been when I find some of the most deeply discounted items ever!! I LOVE it! I get the majority of my gifts for the upcoming year in that week and I save big time!!

I love after season shopping! Waiting to purchase an item helps me realize what items im buying just to buy and what items are truly being Purchased with a Purpose!

Now, that being said, I am sure we have all experienced that nagging regret when we decided to wait on a purchase only to discover it is all sold out before the big sales really hit the shelves. So, a good rule of thumb I go by is:

• Can I go this season without it or not?

• Is this product in season every year or is it just a one time opportunity?

• Is this product being sold anywhere else for a better price?

If I don't necessarily need the product for an event coming up this year that can’t be substituted for something else then I usually wait on the purchase to see if it will hit the turn-over sales. The same principle applies to the second bullet as well. If I do happen to need the product though for the current season in progress I will always check other websites (usually by doing a simple google search) to see if that product is being offered for a better price anywhere else. The third bullet usually works best when you plan ahead for any future events that require said product. If you absolutely have to shop at the last minute, I recommend asking the store what their price matching policy is. It’s been my experience that many stores want your business and are willing to work on the price.

Online Shopping

Another great way to save money when making purchases is to shop for multiple options online to give yourself the best chance to find a great product at a price you can get behind! Not narrowing your search to a specific black vase for your table centerpiece or a particular brand for your work out clothing allows you to explore different prices for different items so that you can make the best informed decision on your purchase. Most online stores even have clearance sections or factory certified refurbished items for you to browse through to help you get a deeper discount on certain products.

Outlet Stores

One of my favorite places to shop is my local outlet store! As amazing as online is, sometimes the treasures I am hunting for in outlet stores come with prices that cannot be beat due to overstocked, slightly imperfect, or discontinued items being sold at a fraction of the original retail price!

Honestly, there is a lot to search for throughout the year to help you keep your home running smoothly. At Purchased with a Purpose we understand that need combined with the ever pressing truth that there is not always time to search everywhere for every great deal out there. That is why we are here! We are searching every single day to help you find as many of those awesome deals that you need so you can save more of your time to do what matters most to you! By strategically planning your purchases throughout the year and following us to get those great deals we can help make your purchases be Purchased with a Purpose.