The 2011 bargain calendar

We highlight the best deals and bargains - for the next 365 days!

I used to be a sucker for a January sales purchase. If something was reduced by 70%, I would be drawn to it like a magnet - whether I really needed it or not.

However, if you keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, there are certainly some genuine bargains to be had.

And if you didn’t make it to the sales this month, all is not lost. In fact, many products are cheaper in the other 11 months of the year!

Shopping website VoucherCodes has put together a month-by-month guide to bagging a bargain: Welcome to our 2011 bargain calendar!

January

Many of us focus on hunting down cheap clothing in the January sales. However, it’s the perfect time of year to get the following items, too…

Holidays: Travel agents, tour operators and airlines are keen to secure early bookings and sales, to get their spring and summer seasons off to a good start. That means you could pick up a cheap holiday deal while everyone else is still deciding where to go.

Meals out: Restaurants struggle to get bums on seats after Christmas, when everyone is feeling skint and overfed. In the fight for your custom, some great discounts become available.

For the top restaurant deals around, read our Frugal Food blog.

Bicycles: Dodge all those tempting gym membership deals, and bag yourself a cheap bike instead. As the Christmas present rush fades, bike sales tend to dry up - so it’s a buyers’ market. Don’t be afraid to haggle!

Furniture: With new stock being delivered, stores become extremely keen to get old, bulky items out of the way.

Christmas decorations: Believe it or not, festive fashions change from year to year - just like clothes. Stores are always keen to shift old Christmas stock in January, as it’s not something that can be re-worked for the next festive season.

February

Cars: The new registration plate for cars comes out in February. At this point, the prices of old registration plate cars are slashed, as they’re no longer the newest (or most desirable) cars in the showroom. 

March

This is the time to stock up on cold weather clothing essentials for the following winter. ‘Capsule’ pieces that will last are often the best value for money – such as leather boots, wool coats and versatile knitwear.

You can find out how to buy designer clothes for less right here.  

April

Many people make the mistake of buying all their ski gear just before they jet off. In fact, you’ll find by far the best deals in mid-to-late April, as the ski season draws to a close.

Of course, this approach is only good value if you’re fairly sure you’ll go skiing next year, too!

Here are lots of other ways to slash the price of your winter trip.

May

Furniture: Home furnishing stores go mad for a bank holiday, and prices tend to drop like a stone as they try to tempt shoppers through their doors.

DIY supplies: The same applies to hardware stores. They know millions of us will be testing our DIY skills over the May bank holiday, and they’re likely to display a big range of kit at lower-than-usual prices.

If you’re on a tight decorating budget, read about how to furnish your flat for next to nothing.

June

Camping equipment: These days, the UK’s summer festivals are big business. Outdoor stores tend to heavily discount tents, macs and sleeping bags during June, to lure in festival-goers.

You can find lots more money-saving festival tips here.

July

Summer clothing: This is traditionally the biggest month of the summer sales - though the items and discounts on offer could depend on the weather.

Good weather often pushes the start of sales to August, as people are still happily snapping up shorts and flip flops. However, a washout summer means stores can’t wait to start shifting those summery items.

Related how-to guide

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Letting your hair down doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg.

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Theatre tickets: Warmer weather tends to make us to stay outdoors during July, in parks and beer gardens. This often leaves theatres a little deserted, and many will run big discounts in efforts to fill their seats.

Here are some other cracking nights out that won’t break the bank.

August

Last minute breaks: As summer draws to a close, travel agents are working hard to fill any remaining spaces on holidays and flights. That means there are some big discounts to be had, particularly if you’re flexible about where you end up.

Read Grab an ultra-cheap holiday to find out more.

September

Garden furniture and barbecues: Summer is over and we’re all beginning to move back indoors. The prices of garden furniture, barbecues, lawnmowers and outdoor heaters will all fall as retailers race to clear space for their Christmas products. 

If you’re keen to have a summer party, this is how you can do it for less.

School uniform: Grab a cheap deal as supermarkets and other retailers enter their yearly ‘back to school’ price war.

October

Fun days out: By October, all the nation’s kids are back at school. That means attractions such as zoos and theme parks need to make up visitor numbers, and are willing to offer plenty of discounts and free extras.

Gardening supplies: Prices are usually at their highest during spring, when everyone heads down to the garden centre. Conversely, seeds, bulbs and plants will be much cheaper at the end of the season.

Just make sure whatever you buy can be successfully stored until the following spring. Here are some other ways to make and save money in the garden.

November

Property: Spring and summer is typically the boom time for buying and renting property in the UK. This means that if you can sit it out until winter, you’re much more likely to get a good deal.

By November, many properties will have been on the market for a good six months - and the owners will be more than ready to consider offers.

If you’re thinking of moving house, make sure you read The cheapest places to buy property in 2011.

December

Bubbly! The high demand for Champagne during December actually causes a drop in the price of the stuff.

That’s because Champagne houses all compete to sell more units - which means retailers are able to offer consumers reduced prices on their favourite tipple.

Cheers!

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