The Ultimate Cheat Sheet for Weekday Shopping

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.

Here’s the ultimate cheat sheet for your weekly shopping!

Sunday: Large household appliances
Home improvement stores, like Lowe’s and Home Depot, tend to mark down their large appliances on Sundays.

Monday: Cars and electronics
Car dealerships are busiest over the weekend, and the comparative quiet of a Monday will put you in a good position to negotiate a great price on a new car. At Community Financial Credit Union, we could help you get pre-approved before you step foot on the showroom floor. Stop by your local branch today or visit cfcu.org/auto to learn more!

You’ll also want to shop for electronics on Monday, as stores like Best Buy offer exclusive manufacturer rebates each Monday, which can really lower the price of a product.

Tuesdays: Houses, airline travel and more
Tuesdays are the best weekday for making an offer on a house, particularly the first Tuesday of the month. This is when most home sellers review the activity surrounding their house from the prior month and are more open to accepting an offer that’s well lower than their asking price. If you’re looking to fly, book your flight on a Tuesday morning.

According to data analyses performed by Skyscanner, airlines markdown flight prices by 15-25 percent late Monday evening. By Tuesday morning, competing airlines will offer a matching or lower prices, giving you the best selection of affordable flights. 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, discounted apparel and fuel
The best time to shop for groceries is on Wednesday. Most supermarkets roll out their new sale events on this day, rearrange aisle end-caps and set out a fresh display of produce. They’ll also slap discounts on perishable products that are leftover from the beginning of the week but are still days away from their sell-by dates. Shop early for the best pickings.

If you’re a fan of discounted quality clothing, you’ll want to hit TJ Maxx and Marshalls on Wednesday morning, as this is when these stores post their new markdowns. Fill ‘er up on Wednesday! Weekly gas hikes will take effect over the weekend, often as early as Thursday morning.

Thursday: Clothing, shoes and handbags
Get first dibs on weekend clothing sales at big-name stores 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 online discounts each Thursday.

Friday: Accessories
Online accessories, like costume jewelry, belts, and scarves, see an average discount of 42 percent on Fridays.

Saturday: Yard sale treasures
Saturdays are prime time to pick up treasures at neighborhood yard sales. You’ll score the hottest deals later in the day when the owners are itching to get rid of their wares.

Your Turn: Is there a weekday shopping hack we missed? Tell us about it in the comments!