I’m a Financial Planning Expert: Never Buy These 8 Things During Winter

Some things cost more at certain times of the year, but which items cost more in winter? Buying strategically goes a long way toward dealing with inflation . What should you avoid buying when Jack Frost nips at your nose?

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Beware the following winter purchases — and plan ahead to score a deal.

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Cars

“The greatest time to buy a car is in the fall,” said Rashid Khan, financial consultant and founder of Dubai’s Best . “The later you go in the fall season, the lower the price.”

Khan continued, “However, sales are significantly lower during the winter. While many recommend purchasing a car toward the end of the month to take advantage of salespeople wanting to meet monthly quotas, the yearly quota is much more significant. The main quota is toward the end of the year, therefore they’re more ready to provide discounts in the fourth quarter. Following New Year’s? Not so much.”

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Mattresses

December isn’t a bad time to buy a bed or mattress, but Khan recommended waiting until summer if you miss holiday sales.

“If you’re looking for a new bed, wait until Memorial Day weekend when prices are lower than the Christmas season. Labor Day weekend is a close second, with offers nearly equal to Memorial Day.”

Coats, Jackets & Other Outerwear

Interior design and finance expert Peter Smith of Christian Walls recommended never buying seasonal items at the start or middle of the season.

“When winter hits, people first rush to buy winter clothing and gear. Retailers know this and take full advantage of the increased demand.” he said. “Prices for winter coats, boots, and other gear can see a significant markup, often between 20 to 50%. The best time to buy these items is late winter or early spring. Stores are eager to clear out inventory to make space for spring collections and you can snag discounts of up to 70%.”

Ski Equipment

The same goes for ski gear and equipment.

“If you can wait a little longer, all of your favorite items will be on sale,” said Michael Higgins, contributing editor at Best in Ireland . “All winter gear will be discounted by up to 70%.”

Plan ahead for the following year, rather than paying peak prices mid-season.

Warm Weather Gear & Equipment

It sounds counterintuitive, but summer gear costs more in winter per Alec Kellzi, CPA at IRS Extension Online .

“Warm weather gear like swimsuits, patio furniture, grills, and air conditioners top the list of winter no-buys. Retailers know the demand for these summer items plummets when temperatures drop, so they keep prices inflated to avoid losing margin. You may pay 30 to 50% more for a patio set, grill, or air conditioner compared to buying at the peak of summer demand when those items get promoted aggressively,” Kellzi said.

“Live plants, landscaping services, and garden supplies also see minimal discounts over the dormant winter months. Retailers routinely mark up live plants and landscaping supplies 30 to 50% in winter, too, when demand bottoms out. Even routine lawn services may see a 25% premium charged from December through February. Unless you have a serious green thumb, it’s wisest to hold off on yard projects until warmer weather returns,” Kellzi added.

Boats, Convertibles & Motorcycles

Kellzi also cautions against buying warm-weather vehicles in winter for similar reasons.

“You will also want to avoid purchasing a new convertible, motorcycle or other toy meant for sunny adventures in winter. Beyond paying a premium, you can not even properly enjoy these big-ticket items until spring arrives.” Kellzi said. “Prices on boats can inflate 25% or higher from fall to spring. The same 20-30% markup may apply to convertibles, motorcycles, campers, etc. Major summer holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day offer the best discounts on these goods.”

Home Heating Supplies & Repairs

Everyone knows the worst time to call an HVAC contractor to repair a furnace is in the middle of a snowstorm. Many charge twice as much and take four times as long to reach you. But the same goes for buying heat-related equipment.

“Winter is obviously when everyone realizes they need to upgrade or replace their heating systems,” Smith said. “As a result, the demand spikes, and so do the prices. You can see 10 to 30% markups on items like space heaters and furnaces. If you can hold off until late spring or summer, you’ll find much better deals as retailers try to move last season’s stock.”

Luggage (and Holiday Travel)

Likewise, you’ve seen travel prices spike around the holidays when everyone wants to be home with their families.

Smith said what we’re all thinking: “Winter is peak travel season, with the holidays and school breaks driving up prices. Airfare, hotels, and vacation packages can be 20 to 50% more expensive. For the best deals, book your winter travel in late January to February, or plan your vacations during the shoulder seasons in spring and fall.”

For the same reason, you can often score great post-holiday sales on luggage and other travel equipment.

“Luggage prices tend to rise over the winter holidays due to increased travel demand. Retailers raise pricing to capitalize on increased demand from holiday tourists.” Higgins said. “The best time to buy baggage is after the holidays or in the middle of summer when deals and discounts are more common.”

The Bottom Line

The better you plan, the better prices you’ll snag.

“Take full advantage of end-of-season sales,” Smith said. “Black Friday and post-holiday sales are prime opportunities for scoring great deals.”

If you failed to plan ahead and missed the best time to buy, get through the season by borrowing items from friends or family. Or consider buying used.

“Don’t overlook thrift stores, online marketplaces, and clearance outlets. You can often find gently used items or last season’s models at a fraction of the cost.” Smith said.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : I’m a Financial Planning Expert: Never Buy These 8 Things During Winter