Lifehacker

Hitting the clearance rack is one easy way to save money, but you can save even more by planning ahead and shopping strategically throughout the year. Obviously, items are discounted when they go out of season. For example, winter apparel goes on sale just before spring to make room for new merchandise.

Knowing when other items go on sale may not be as easy to figure out, though.To help shoppers save, Lifehacker put together a chart they dubbed, “The Best Time to Buy Anything in 2013.” For every month of the year, they’ve included a short list of items that are discounted.

January

According to Lifehacker, January is the best time of year to get discounts on clothing, broadway tickets, furniture and linens/bedding, among other items. Broadway tickets go on sale because winter and fall are the slowest months for ticket sales, furniture is discounted because furniture companies release new products in February and linens/bedding go on sale thanks to traditional “white sales.”

February

For February, you’ll still be able to find discounted Broadway tickets since it’s the slow season. In addition, cellphones, televisions and home theaters systems are cheaper than they are the rest of the year. Lifehacker says that cellphones are promoted as Valentine’s Day gifts and, as a result, are part of “buy one get one” sales. Televisions and home theater systems are more likely to go on sale during February as part of pre-Superbowl sales.

March

The month of March is a great time to buy chocolate (post Valentine’s day sales), golf clubs (new models are introduced just before summer, so old models are put on sale) and luggage (March is between travel seasons so demand goes down). Additionally, frozen foods go on sale thanks to “National Frozen Food Month,” so look for coupons and special deals at your local grocery store.

If it’s something you absolutely need right away, then by all means, buy now. For example, perhaps you need new luggage for an international trip you’re taking next week and can’t wait for suitcases to go on sale in March. However, planning your purchases in advance will help you save money in the long run.

By Wendy Rose Gould