March Is the Worst Month To Buy These 12 Things

March can be a great month for flowers and warmer weather, but it might not be so good on your bank account.

Some items on your shopping list should be picked up now when there are deals to be had, while other items may be better to wait on until March has passed.

Here are some purchases you may want to skip in March to keep more cash in your wallet.

New members flocked to gyms in January to get the best deals on memberships to fulfill their New Year’s resolutions.

But those deals are gone now that January is over and spring is almost here, meaning more people are getting outside to exercise. So you’ll likely end up paying full price this month.

March means the start of spring cleaning, and vacuum manufacturers know they can take advantage of the market.

It may be better to stick with your old vacuum for now and pick up a great deal on one in the fall.

Television manufacturers usually have great deals on TVs in February to make sure you can watch the Super Bowl on a super screen.

But that means you won’t find the same discounts in March. It may be better to wait until later in the year, like July or Black Friday, to scoop up the next great deal.

You also may have missed the sales on electronics, which were big around the holidays but have likely started to cool off.

It’s also good to remember that some products may have made a big splash at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, putting new stuff on the shelves that won’t be marked down for a while.

You may be excited to clean out your closet as part of your spring cleaning plan and add some cute dresses or lightweight shirts to your hangers.

Retailers know this, so their spring clothing may be at its peak prices and cost you more money.

Instead, check out discounts on winter clothes like sweaters and pack them away with your other clothes that won’t come out until the fall.

Furniture stores tend to book their sales for major holidays, and there aren’t any in March that could qualify for discounts, with the exception of perhaps Easter at the very end of the month.

You missed Presidents’ Day sales in February, so it may be better to hold off until Memorial Day, when furniture companies will be marking down prices again.

One exception to this are mattresses, which may be discounted this month to make room for new models.

March means warmer weather that encourages you to ditch your old shoes for some new athletic shoes.

But the increased demand means you may not be able to find a good deal on shoes. Hold on to your old ones for a little longer and wait for deals later in the spring.

Spring cleaning can also mean cleaning up your house and fixing things around your home, so you may have a trip to a home improvement store on your to-do list.

But hold off on that trip until April, when stores are more likely to have sales on items, especially for the outdoors, to spruce up your home’s curb appeal.

You may think spring cleaning includes cleaning out your old kitchen appliances for new ones, but that could cost you money.

Like furniture, it may be better to wait until the next big sales weekend during Memorial Day to get extra deals on kitchen appliances or washers and dryers.

Ring can be a great service if you want extra protection to keep an eye on your front door.

But the company is also raising its subscription prices in March. It may be a good idea to compare costs with other options like Arlo or Google Nest to see if the combined purchase and subscription costs may be a better deal for what you want.

Gardening is a great way to get your home in shape for spring by planting flowers and pulling weeds.

But that’s also why gardening tools may be more expensive as demand increases with the warmer weather.

Check your favorite home improvement store in the fall as the season winds down to see if you can get shovels and spades on sale.

Dealers could get you a lower price on a vehicle, but it may not be until the end of March as dealerships close their sales books on the quarter.

If you don’t need a car right now, it may be better to wait until the end of March or get a better deal later in the year. And don’t forget to shop around for the best deal on car insurance, too.

Use smart shopping hacks this March by either finding the best deals on clearance items or prioritizing your budget and avoiding potential impulse purchases. 

This way, you can make the most of your financial resources, whether you're looking to snag a bargain or simply stick to your spending plan.