Taking advantage of seasonal sales is a great way to save money on expensive purchases. Most retailers tend to offer special discounts on items at or near the end of certain seasons, making it possible for consumers who plan ahead and time their purchases to get great deals.

At the same time, not all times marked down at the end of a season are a good deal. You'll need to know how to tell the great offers apart from the mediocre ones if you want to avoid spending more than you'd planned.

How to Find the Best Seasonal Deals

Comparison shopping is always a good idea if you're making an expensive purchase. Compare prices from various retailers either online or in person. Additionally, check coupon websites to see if you can combine the sales price with another deal, such as a BOGO offer or free shipping.

If you're buying electronics or appliances, be sure to not only check the price but also consumer reviews. Doing so can save you the hassle of buying inferior products that aren't worth your hard-earned cash. Even if the item in question has a high average review rating, check the warranty terms and conditions so you'll know what to expect if the appliance or device malfunctions or stops working.

Make a shopping list and stick to it. It can be tempting to take advantage of great deals on items that you hadn't planned on buying, but remember that a steep discount on something you won't use doesn't help you save money. What's more, if you're shopping with your credit card, you could wind up spending far more than you'd planned due to accruing interest on your bill.

Seasonal Buying Chart: When to Find the Best Deals

Winter (December–February)

Late December and early January are good months for finding seasonal sales of appliances and electronics, as retailers get new merchandise in the spring and thus are eager to clear out old products. Seasonal discounts on winter clothing, party clothing, and formal attire also start around the end of the year. They extend into February, so you may want to wait to get the best price on an item; however, as stock dwindles, selections are limited, and you may have to check various retailers to find what you're looking for.

In February, you can expect to see seasonal discounts on furniture and new cars. It's also a good month to find seasonal deals on camping gear.

Spring (March-May)

The seasonal deals on camping gear that start showing in February typically extend into March. April can be a good month to shop for gardening supplies, but you'll find better seasonal deals in May. Mother's Day sales offer great prices on traditional gifts for women, and the last month of spring is also a great time to find seasonal discounts on spring clothing. Memorial Day sales can also offer some great seasonal deals on furniture, mattresses, home decor, appliances, and home improvement products and tools.

Summer (June-August)

Seasonal deals on spring clothing extend through June. This month can be a great time to take advantage of deals on Father's Day gifts, including fishing/camping gear, men's cologne, and television sets. July is when seasonal deals on products for the next school year start showing up. These deals extend into August and sometimes even into September. You can also expect to see seasonal sales of summer clothing and pool toys from mid-summer onward.

Fall (September to November)

Labor Day to October is when you're most likely to find the best seasonal deals on appliances and electronics. It's also a good time to find seasonal offers on outdoor furniture, grills, gardening supplies, and plants. November is a good time to buy furniture or a vehicle.

Black Friday is an ideal time to find great deals on Christmas gifts. Seasonal offers abound for art supplies, toys, clothes, gadgets, and electronics. Black Friday is also a perfect time to get seasonal deals on expensive items such as laptops, TVs, and appliances, as the average in-store discount is an eye-popping 37%. However, if you're not concerned about a particular item being sold out on the last Friday in November, you may want to wait until Cyber Monday to get the steepest discount offers.

There are seasonal deals almost every single month of the year. Knowing when to expect the lowest prices on certain items can help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars. What's more, you can maximize seasonal savings by using smart shopping strategies such as sticking to a shopping list, using coupons, and doing comparison shopping. As you get in the groove of planning your purchases to coincide with seasonal offers, you'll soon become a pro at getting your money's worth on each purchase.