What To Buy In The Spring:

• Fall and winter outerwear. Typically, March is the hot month to shop for cold-weather wear. Retailers need to clear out this seasonal merchandise in order to make room for spring and summer fashions, and that translates to big savings for you.
• Used cars. Industry experts believe April is the best time to purchase a used vehicle. This is the month when dealerships start stocking up for the warm weather and more stock means better selection and more room for negotiation.
• Laptop computers. While the back-to-school shopping season seems to get all the credit for good deals on computers, it turns out the prices for laptops are actually better in April. This could be attributed to manufacturers clearing out their older models to make room for the newer versions coming out this time of year.
• Cookware and small kitchen appliances. Spring is graduation and wedding season, and those graduates and newlyweds need toasters and sauté pans. Luckily, you don’t have to tie the knot or get a degree to take advantage of the sales on kitchen items that coincide with this gift-buying season.
• Travel. With the exception of Spring Break, this time of year is a shoulder season in the travel industry. That means you’ll find great off-season rates on everything from airfare to hotel rooms to vacation-home rentals.
• Flowers. When spring has officially sprung you’ll see lower prices on fresh in-season flowers. Just avoid paying through the nose around Mother’s Day.
• Mattresses. Remember it this way – May is for mattresses. You’ll save the most on last year’s mattress models as the new ones hit the stores this month.
• Tools. What do dads want for Father’s Day? Tools, of course! Wait until just after Father’s Day and take advantage of sales on the tools that didn’t get snapped up for gifts.
• Vacuum cleaners. You may not have it circled on your calendar, but June is the month vacuum cleaner manufacturers roll out their new models – and put the older models on sale.

What To Buy In The Summer:

• Gym memberships. The rush of New Year’s-resolution-inspired sales has long passed and many people are getting their fitness fixes out in the sunny weather. This means gyms are more likely to sweeten the deal in order to sign you up.
• Home décor. July is a good month to spruce up your home. Retailers often feature sales on home goods to coincide with the spike in wedding-gift shopping that occurs in July.
• Furniture. Furniture manufacturers usually release their new stock in February and August, making the end of summer one of the prime times to score deals on outgoing furniture models.
• Patio furniture/outdoor toys/camping gear/lawn mowers. The end of August is a great time for bargains on seasonal items. Retailers tend to hold clearance sales on everything from patio lanterns to swing sets to camp stoves in order to make room for fall merchandise.
• Warm-weather clothing. It seems like tank tops and flip-flops start to get replaced with sweaters and boots earlier and earlier each year as retailers rush to cash in on the next season’s fashions. By mid to late summer you’ll save a bundle on summer clothing and still have plenty of time to wear it.
• Fresh produce. Why overpay in the colder months when you can stock up on cheap, seasonal fruits and then freeze or preserve them now? Let the other suckers pay $6 for a fruit smoothie in November.
• Computers. The back-to-school shopping season at the end of summer is a great time to pick up a new computer for less. While the retailers try to capitalize on all those students you can capitalize on all the great sales being offered.

(from MSN:)

Airline tickets

There really is no best time of the year to buy plane tickets. But if you expect to travel around the holidays, always plan ahead because deals are hard to come by.

"If you can get a good deal for Thanksgiving and Christmas at any time, buy it. That is their peak period, and airlines have a limited inventory," says Neil Bainton, the chief operating officer of Farecompare, a travel-planning Web site that tracks airline ticket prices.

For non-holiday domestic travel, Bainton recommends that travelers never buy tickets more than 90 days away from their departure date. "You want to watch the 21-day mark because some carriers will file their lowest fares as a 21-day advance purchase. And then the next window is at 14 days, which you really don't want to go by unless you're feeling lucky," Bainton says. Getting a good ticket price depends on the competition in the markets you're flying to and from and the supply of seats versus the demand.

Airlines file updates to their fares three times a day: 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. weekdays, with one filing –- at 5 p.m. -- on Saturday and Sunday. (All times are ET.) "Most of the lowest fares are filed Tuesdays, Wednesdays and sometimes Saturdays. It depends on the carrier and the market," Bainton says.

Air conditioners

Common sense prevails in the air-conditioner market, according to Diane Ritchey, editor of Home Appliance Magazine.

"Think about when they're most in use: May through September. People feel the heat and they start to buy. The stock gets depleted, the demand is higher and so is the price. When cool weather comes around, most people just aren't into air conditioner purchasing, so the demand drops, as does the price," she says.

Big appliances

Just like the fall clothing influx, new models of major appliance models such as ranges and washing machines hit showroom floors in September and October, says Home Appliance Magazine's Ritchey. About the same time, last year's models go on sale to make room.

"Critical timing and seeing the patterns of the retail world can make a huge difference in appliance shopping," Ritchey says.

Bicycles and outdoor gear

"If you want the newest stuff, the time to look is in February and March, when the season's models come out. The stores start replacing fall and winter stuff with spring and summer models, and that's true for most all outdoor gear from shoes to bikes, hiking gear, everything," says Dennis Lewon, senior editor for Outside magazine.

Some companies will send out special holiday items that will land in the discount section after the season. "In general, most of the new products come to stores in February," Lewon says. "January is good for looking for the old models in the classic post-holiday shopping period."

Boats

According to Thom Dammrich, the president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the winter boat-show season is the time to get a good price on a new boat.

"The primary winter boat show season is January, February and March. Going to a boat show is the easiest way to see the latest model of boats for many manufacturers, and compare features," Dammrich says. "Also, dealers typically offer their best pricing during boat shows."

Cars

New model years begin appearing at dealerships in the fall, making September an ideal time to snatch up the previous year's model at a discount. By the end of the year, inventory dwindles, so acting earlier assures a determined buyer of the best selection.

If you'd like to pay less than retail when shopping, try these bargaining tips.

Another tip for buying a new car: "Monitor the number of days that a truck or car sits on a lot. Anytime a car or truck isn't selling well, you can get a good deal," says Phillip Reed, consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com and a co-author of "Strategies for Smart Car Buyers."

Shop on a weekday to get the undivided attention of the sales staff and go at the end of the month when they're trying to make quotas. Be sure to go early in the morning or early in the afternoon and show up well-rested and with a full belly.

"You don't want to be hungry or tired," says Reed, who also recommends using the Internet department to broker the deal. You'll save money and skip the high-pressure negotiations in the finance and insurance office.

"Often the person who delivers the car to you isn't even a salesman but a porter. You just sign the papers, and it's done," Reed says.

Cell phones

A new cell phone comes out approximately every five minutes. Obviously, that's hyperbole, but John Morris, the editor of home and entertainment coverage for CNET.com, says the team reviewing cell phones can barely keep up with the steady stream of new models being offered.

"The market for cell phones doesn't follow any seasonal trend or technological advances. Also, their release schedule is dictated by carriers as well as manufacturer, which makes it a little more complicated," Morris says.

Computers

If you're shopping for a low price on a computer, buying slightly older technology can save you some money. Following the release schedule of chip makers Advanced Micro Devices and Intel will offer some clues as to when computer manufacturers will offer updates and redesigns, says CNET's Morris. Chip manufacturers turn out upgrades quickly, about every three months, with major computer manufacturers following suit.

Airplane Tickets

When to buy: On a Wednesday, 21 days (or a couple of days earlier) before your flight.

Why: Airlines make major pricing changes (and run fare sales) every week, typically on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings. About 21 days out from your flight, you'll see plenty of deals out there as airlines scramble to fill seats, says Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel.com, a consumer travel advice Web site. Don't wait much longer, she cautions; prices jump significantly from 14 to seven days ahead of departure.

Appliances

When to buy: During a holiday weekend.

Why: You'll find sales on select models all year long, but retailers bring out the big guns for holiday weekends, says Carolyn Forte, homecare director for the Good Housekeeping Institute. But don't worry about spending your Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends shopping for a new fridge — smaller holidays like Columbus Day and President's Day have their share of sales, too.

Baby Clothes

When to buy: During your pregnancy.

Why: Once you know your due date, keep an eye out for end-of-season clearances, recommends Alan Fields, co-author of "Baby Bargains." "If you're [newly] pregnant now, you know you'll be having a baby next summer," he says. "Well, right now, stores are closing out all the summer clothes." You can pick up newborn essentials like onesies for less than half price.

Broadway Tickets

When to buy: Hours before the curtain rises.

Why: How does a $25 front-row seat to the smash musical "Wicked" sound? Several musicals offer same-day ticket lotteries that offer up orchestra seats at inexpensive prices. If you'd rather not gamble on getting a seat, wait in line at the famous TKTS booth in Times Square. There, you can get tickets for hit musicals for up to 50% off. On a recent night, prime seats were available for "Hairspray," "Rent," "Sweeney Todd" and "Beauty & the Beast."

Cars

When to buy: Weekday mornings in September.

Why: By September, all the next year's models have arrived at the lot, and dealers are desperate to get rid of the current year's leftovers, says Phil Reed, consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com. It's the prime time of year for incentives and sales, not to mention bargaining. "Any car that's been on the lot for a long time loses its value in the eyes of the car salesman," he says.

Heading to the dealership on a weekday morning also helps because there's low foot traffic, meaning you'll have ample time to negotiate and fewer people trying to buy the same car. The more demand, the less willing a salesman is to go down on price, says Reed.

Champagne

When to buy: December

Why: Most people assume that because everyone wants a good bottle of Champagne for New Year's Eve that prices go up during the holidays, says Sharon Castillo, director of the Office of Champagne, USA, which represents the trade association of growers in the Champagne region. But due to fierce competition among the Champagne houses, prices are actually lower during the holidays than they are at any other time of year.

Clothing

When to buy: Thursday evenings, six to eight weeks after an item arrives in stores.

Why: After an item lingers in stores a month or more, retailers start dropping its price to get it out the door, says Kathryn Finney, author of "How to Be a Budget Fashionista." These season-end clearances tend to be the same month that designers host fashion weeks (February and September) to preview the next fall or spring collections. So smart buyers can check the catwalk to see if any of this season's trends — say, leggings or military-style jackets — will still be hot next year, and then scoop them up on clearance.

Hitting the mall on a weekday ensures you'll get a good selection. "On the weekend, you'll only get picked-over stuff because the stores don't have time to restock," she says. By Thursday, most of the weekend sales have begun, but everything available is on the floor.

Computers and electronics

When to buy: Just after a new model is launched.

Why: When the latest and greatest of a product is released, you'll often see prices drop on what had previously been the best thing out there, says Tom Merritt, executive editor for CNET, an electronics review web site. Case in point: When Apple released the Nano last September, prices for the now-discontinued Mini dropped 12%, from $199 for a 4GB to about $175. So keep your eyes open for announcements from major manufacturers. Want a little less work? Time your purchases for after big annual technology show like MacWorld (next held Jan. 8-12, 2007) and the International Consumer Electronics Show (next held Jan. 8-11, 2007).

Gas

When to buy: Early morning or late evening on a weekday.

Why: Time your trip based on whether prices are rising or falling, advises Marshall Brain, founder of HowStuffWorks, a consumer guide. Gas stations tend to change their prices between 10 a.m. and noon, so hit the pump in the early morning if gas prices are on the rise. Go later in the day if prices are falling. Tipsters on GasPriceWatch.com reported that on Sept. 3, a WaWa gas station in Lanoka Harbor, N.J., was offering regular gas for $2.85 a gallon. One day later the station's price had dropped to $2.65. In that case, going early would have cost you 20 cents more per gallon.

Try not to buy gas on the weekends, Brain says. Gas prices are often slightly elevated, as stations try to profit from leisure travelers.

Gift Cards

When to buy: A day or two before you give it.

Why: These days, gift cards carry a plethora of hidden pitfalls, from expiration dates to dormancy fees, says Dan Horne, a professor of marketing at Providence College known as the "Gift Card Guru." That countdown to fees starts as soon as you buy the card. "You don't want to short-change the recipient," he says.

Groceries

When to buy: Sunday evenings.

Why: Store sales tend to run Wednesday through Tuesday, says Teri Gault, founder of The Grocery Game, a consumer savings program. On Sunday, you'll also have the latest round of manufacturer's coupons from your morning paper. "You can maximize your coupons available for that shopping week," she says. Heading to the store close to closing time means you'll have access to sales on fresh items that must be sold by the end of the day, such as meats and baked goods.

Of course, you'll also benefit from in-season items that can be frozen for use later in the year, says Gault. That means turkeys at Thanksgiving and hams at Christmas and Easter. During the spring and summer, buy fresh produce. Peaches bought at $1 per pound now can be kept frozen for smoothies and pies throughout the winter, she says.

Shrubs, Trees and Other Plants

When to buy: Fall

Why: Take a break from raking up leaves to purchase trees, shrubs and other perennials for your yard. Prices nosedive after midsummer, as garden supply stores and nurseries try to clear out their stock. You can also get great deals on bulbs during the fall. Just store them according to the package instructions for best planting results next spring.

Televisions

When to buy: Six to 12 months after a particular model is launched.

Why: A new TV drops in price after a few months on the market, says CNET's Merritt. Although there will be newer models out there, it's unlikely they'll offer any significant improvements to justify that brand new price. "The technology is proceeding at such a pace that the models out there are not going to be obsolete anytime soon," he says.

Wedding Dresses

When to buy: Between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Why: Boutiques are stocked up on dresses for the post-Christmas rush (many people get engaged over the holidays), yet traffic is low, says Fields, who also co-authored "Bridal Bargains." "It's not a busy time to buy a wedding dress because people are thinking about the holidays," he says. You'll also have room to bargain.

Wine

When to buy: Early fall.

Why: For best selection, you can't beat the fall harvest season. That's when most vineyards release their latest vintages. Buying in August and September is also your best shot at snagging so-called "cult wines" — those with limited production and high demand, says Kathleen Schumacher-Hoertkorn, CEO of New Vine Logistics, an online interstate wine retailer.