It’s the buying season again, ladies and gentlemen, but I offer that greeting with one caveat. If you were spotted on YouTube throwing uppercuts during Black Friday, then you are neither a lady nor a gentleman. Just in case you were, though, let’s talk about buying without making it a contact sport. Here are two things I know about buying: 1)You get what you pay for, and 2)You don’t have to pay a premium price. How can I connect the dots between those two things? By timing the market. So, rest your bruised knuckles on something soft, and let Gildshire tell you about the time to buy practically everything.
Cell Phones:
Twenty years from now, the phone you’re carrying now will look just as clunky as the first car phones looked. If you don’t remember, they were roughly half the size of the car they accessorized. Ten years from now, your current phone will be outdated. However, three years from now, the phone you buy today will be…just fine. While tech advances steadily, the leaps and bounds of improved tech are not what they were a few years ago. Folks who traded every three years before are keeping their phones for five years now.
Home Office Supplies:
There’s no reason to pay full retail for the pens, printer ink, and desktop clutter that you use every day. Follow the calendar cycle of the local elementary school, and take advantage of the annual savings bonanza offered by the office supply houses in your town.
Gym Memberships:
Consider not buying a gym membership at all. A staggering 71.8% of those who purchase an annual membership report that they rarely, or never, use it. Consider purchasing a day pass, and spending the money on home equipment like a Peloton.
Massage or Spa Treatment:
You’ll find great prices and deals at local hotels that offer such amenities if you choose slow days at the hotel itself. Watch for the weekends before and after major holidays. Often the savings will be north of 50% for a deep tissue massage and a relaxing massage or facial.
Find deep discounts on deep tissue massage when you follow the time to buy practically everything guide.
A Warm Winter Coat:
It sounds pretty good right now, doesn’t it? As the weather outside turns raw and blustery, who wouldn’t like to cozy into a down jacket or heavy coat? Late November and early December are the worst times to buy a winter coat. You’ll find slashed prices in February and even better prices in March. Inventory will be limited in March, though.
Books:
As a published author, this one hurts, but it makes no sense to pay full price for a book when you can have it for free from the local library. The library also incentivizes trying out a new author because there isn’t a financial commitment if the book turns out to be “Bridges of Madison County.” (How many times, “…like an arrow into the future…”)
Musical Instruments:
Reread what Gildshire just said about gym memberships, and apply the same logic to musical instruments. You may already have an unused music maker gathering dust in the back of a closet. Rent, until the New York Philharmonic, calls.
New (or new to you) Car:
Two things are in play when it comes to buying a car. First, the end of the year and early in the new year sales are real. The dealer needs to move the rolling stock to make room. Second, shop toward the end of the month when the salesperson is trying to meet the monthly quota. He may look relaxed, but the desire for a bonus check will be roiling his stomach and making him ready to deal.
Airfare:
First, we should dispel one common myth. It DOES NOT matter what day you purchase your ticket. However, some days of the week are cheaper than others. Cutting to the chase: Avoid Sundays and Fridays. Those are the days the vacationers and the business people meet in the terminal going opposite directions. Other than that, plan to buy airline tickets 21-115 days before you fly and watch Google Flights and Kayak for price changes.
Okay, it may not have been the right time to buy everything, but we came pretty close. Enjoy your shopping excursions more, when you know when to buy practically everything.
