Shopping strategically can save you money, and November is one of the best times to make big and small purchases alike.
From Veterans Day sales to the annual frenzy around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, there are deals to be found all month long.
So, grab your best cash back credit cards and add these 15 items to your November shopping list.
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Halloween items for next year
If you want to stock up on spiders, plastic pumpkins, and other spooky decor, then November is the time to do it.
Spring for the 12’ skeleton while it’s 70% off in the days and weeks following Halloween. You’ll be ready to decorate next October — and you’ll be glad you didn’t spend a seasonal premium!
Clothing
Current season clothing is often discounted up to 20% in the weeks preceding Black Friday, with even steeper discounts arriving on the biggest sales day of the year.
If you’re looking for party outfits, wait until the weekend after Thanksgiving, when those items are often on sale ahead of the holiday season.
Cookware
There’s nothing better than heading into the Thanksgiving season with brand new cookware to try out your grandmother’s sweet potato casserole recipe or to debut your new pumpkin pie.
Luckily, cookware often goes on sale in November. If you can wait it out, there will almost certainly be Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.
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Baking supplies
Stock up on sugar, flour, and other baking supplies around Thanksgiving to be ready to hit the ground running during the holiday season.
Then grab your muffin tins, cookie sheets, and cookie cutters on Black Friday. You’ll have everything you need for baking holiday treats for neighbors and friends.
Appliances
Planning a kitchen renovation? November is the time to splurge on your appliances. If you have your eye on a gorgeous new range, this is the time.
From the refrigerator to the microwave, you can find deals on most appliances in November.
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Wedding dresses
Wedding dress brands will try to move inventory in November to make way for next year’s designs. If you can plan ahead, this is the time to search for the one. Grab your friends and make it a pre-holiday occasion.
Electronics
During the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, you could find electronics for up to 40% off. You may find a deal on everything from a new TV to earbuds to a new smart home security system.
This is the time for the best sales of the year, including smart thermostats, cameras, and other electronics.
Laptops
You’ll miss the beginning of the school year, but if you can hold out a few months to get a new laptop, November is the time to spring for it. You can often find sales on affordable laptop brands on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, such as Dell, Lenovo, and HP.
Home services
Contractors often slow down as the weather gets cooler, so deals may be available, or you may have more negotiating power if you hire someone to take on a house project during the off-season.
Consider getting your house painted, renovating a bathroom, or rebuilding a deck during the cooler months.
Get a protection plan on all your appliances
Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.
Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.
For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.
Beauty supplies
You can get deals on beauty supplies during November by purchasing holiday beauty sets, when there are better prices available on buying a set of multiple pieces.
Or, you can wait for Black Friday or Cyber Monday, when major retailers will have sales on their most popular beauty products.
Pajama sets
Just in time for the cozy season, your softest sleepwear is on sale! Pajama sets often go on sale in November, particularly around Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
You can find great deals on everything from loungewear and pajama sets to matching holiday sleepwear, perfect for that classic family pic.
Kitchen gadgets
Since manufacturers tend to release new models as year end approaches, late fall can be a good time to buy the previous year’s models.
Because they’re from the past year, stores are willing to discount them to move product. Pick up kitchen gadgets like food processors, coffee makers, and more.
Vacuums
Besides large electronics and appliances, vacuums go on sale in November, with some of the best deals around Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
This is when you should splurge on the fancy stick vacuum you’ve always wanted, just in time for cleaning up for your holiday guests.
Toys
If you have a gaggle of nieces and nephews, then November is the time to stock up on toys and items for the winter holidays.
Keep an eye on Veterans Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday sales, then snag all the games, dolls, puzzles, and activities you’ll need for holidays, birthdays, and upcoming events.
Food storage containers
Food storage containers go on sale in early November ahead of the holidays, with stores knowing that customers will need all of that storage for their holiday leftovers.
Stock up on glass food storage sets, including Pyrex or Anchor Hocking, to help you save money shopping by storing leftovers for later.
Bottom line
When it comes to sales, it’s hard to beat November. Sale events span categories, allowing you to get ahead of holiday gifts, appliances for renovations, clothes you’ll need throughout the year, electronics, and items you need in the kitchen.
Shop strategically in November, and you can save money over the year and boost your bank account.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
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Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
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