The Ultimate Shopping Cheat Sheet

You’ve already perfected your monthly shopping schedule to get the best possible prices throughout the year: linens in January; luggage in March; household appliances in May; patio furniture in September and wedding dresses in December.

But, did you know you should be timing your shopping throughout the week as well?  That’s because each weekday brings its own deals and specials.  There are some items you can get the cheapest on Wednesdays, others that are best bought on Fridays and still others that will see their biggest markdowns on Sundays.

Here is the ultimate cheat sheet for your weekly shopping.

Sunday: Large household appliances

Does your refrigerator need to be replaced?  Looking to swap out your oven for a newer model?  Home improvement stores, like Lowes and Home Depot, tend to mark down their large appliances on Sundays.

Monday: Deals on cars and electronics

If you are in the market for a new car, hit the dealer’s lot on Monday. Car dealerships are busiest over the weekend, and the comparative quiet of a Monday will put you in a favorable position to negotiate a great price on a new car.  You will also want to check out the large chain stores for discounted electronics on the first business day of the week. Stores like Best Buy offer exclusive manufacturer rebates on Mondays, which can significantly lower the price of an expensive product.

Tuesdays: Houses, airline travel and more

Tuesdays are the recommended weekday for making an offer on a house, particularly the first Tuesday of the month.  This is when most sellers will review the activity surrounding their home from the last month and be more open to accepting an offer that is considerably lower than their original asking price.

If you are looking at plane tickets, book your flight on a Tuesday morning.  According to data analyses performed by travel-planning company Skyscanner, airlines mark down flight prices by 15-25 percent late each Monday evening. By Tuesday morning, competing airlines will offer matching or lower prices, giving you the best selection of affordable flights.

Tuesdays are also great for purchasing computers online from major retailers, like HP or Dell.  Do not look for discounted MacBooks, though, as Apple rarely marks down its products.

For a terrific way to end your Tuesday, go see a movie.  Tickets to the latest blockbusters are usually discounted during the mid-week slump.

Wednesdays: Groceries and fuel

Forget the weekend grocery run; the best time to restock your pantry and fridge is on Wednesday.  Most supermarkets roll out their new sale events on this day, rearrange their aisle end-caps and slap discounts onto perishable products that are left over from the beginning of the week, such as meat, poultry and cheese.  If you can swing it, shop early to take full advantage of the sales.  Feel free to load up on the marked-down perishables, which will still be days away from their sell-by date.  Stick them in the freezer if you can’t use them before they go stale. You will also get the biggest bang for your buck in the produce aisle on Wednesdays, when most groceries set out a fresh display of fruits and vegetables.

Unless gas prices are on a downward spiral, fill up your gas tank on Wednesday! Weekly gas hikes will take effect over the weekend, often as early as Thursday morning.

Thursday: Clothing, shoes and handbags

If you are a fan of discounted quality clothing, go to TJ Maxx and Marshalls on Wednesdays, as this is when these stores post their new markdowns.  Old Navy also features new discounts on Wednesdays.

Get first dibs on weekend clothing sales at the big-name stores by hitting the mall late on Thursday. Shop for matching footwear with in-store coupons, which also debut on Thursday. Then, complete your new look with a new handbag, which see steep online discounts each Thursday.

Friday: Accessories

Pick up your costume jewelry, belts and scarves on Fridays to score the best prices. According to Lifehacker, online accessories see an average discount of 42 percent on the last workday of the week.

Saturday: Books and yard sale treasures

Amazon offers discounts on books and e-books on most Saturdays, so shop at the beginning of the weekend for the best selection at the best prices.

Saturdays are also prime time to pick up treasures at neighborhood yard sales and thrift stores. You will get the best picks in the early morning hours, but you will score the hottest deals later on in the day when the owners are itching to get rid of all their wares and close up shop.

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