Are you one of the shoppers out on December 24  every year, grabbing whatever you can to assuage your loved ones’ needs for heartfelt gifts? Yes? Then it’s quite possible that you’re paying too much!

Retailers generally follow a sales schedule that stays the same every year. If you can adjust your shopping schedule to a year-round approach, found at the end of this article, I guarantee you will save money.

Sometimes this has to do with season-end clearance sales: Looking for an air conditioner? Search in August. Shrubs and trees? September. Other sales occur during standard holidays. Found out that your college roommate is getting married? May and June are great months to purchase small consumer appliances (panini grill, anyone?). When I decided it was time to upgrade to a flat-screen TV, I bought one in February, the week before the Super Bowl – that’s when every TV in the nation is on sale.

Ultimately, whenever you go to a shop, keep an eye out for things your hard-to-please gift recipients would appreciate. And, should you happen to see a number of items on sale that you think would be suitable for the next birthday, bar mitzvah, or bachelor(ette) party you attend, by all means, take an extra 15 minutes to look around to see what else you might be able to find for your nearests and dearests. I will never forget the October afternoon when I went to Big Lots for some dish soap and walked out with two carts full of Christmas gifts, including beautiful boxes of 24 blown-glass ornaments each for $4.00 a box. That was a very good day.

Going to New York City? Don’t miss this calendar, which tells you when your favorite stores are most likely to slash prices. (You’ll probably want to call first to make sure they’re still in business, but that’s beside the point.)

Of course, don’t just buy stuff to buy stuff; that just costs you money in the long run. Instead, when you see a bargain, consider which of the folks in your group would consider it a perfect gift. You’ll be remembered fondly next time it’s your birthday!

Here’s a not-so-quick rundown of what to buy, when:

• JANUARY
  Appliances
  Baby carriages
  Bedding and linens
  Books
  Carpets and rugs
  CDs and DVDs
  China and glassware
  Cookware
  Costume jewelry
  Fall clothing
  Furniture
  Holiday items (cards, wrappings, home decor)
  Houses and condos
  Linens
  Lingerie
  Men’s overcoats
  Pocketbooks
  Shoes
  Stop-smoking aids
  Swimwear
  Toys
  Treadmills
  TVs
  Winter clothing

• FEBRUARY
  Air Conditioners
  Art supplies
  Bedding
  Cars (used)
  Curtains
  Furniture
  Glassware and china
  Housewares
  Houses and condos
  Humidifiers
  Lamps
  Men’s apparel
  Radios, TV sets, and stereos
  Silverware
  Small consumer electronics
  Sportswear and equipment
  Storm windows
  Toys
  Treadmills
  Valentine’s for next year

• MARCH
  Boys’ and girls’ shoes
  Computers
  Garden supplies
  Housewares
  Ice skates
  Infants’ clothing
  Laundry equipment
  Luggage
  Ski equipment and other winter sports gear
  Televisions
  Winter coats

• APRIL
  Digital cameras
  Fabric
  Spring clothes
  Hosiery
  Lingerie
  Painting supplies
  Women’s shoes

• MAY
  Cordless phones
  Handbags
  Housecoats
  Household linens
  Jewelry
  Luggage
  Mothers’ Day specials
  Outdoor furniture
  Rugs
  Shoes
  Small consumer electronics
  Sportswear and athletic shoes
  Tires and auto accessories

• JUNE
  Bedding
  Boy’s clothing
  Consumer electronics and computers
  Fabrics
  Fathers’ Day specials
  Floor coverings
  Furniture
  Lingerie, sleepwear and hosiery
  Men’s clothing
  Summer sporting gear and swimwear
  Women’s shoes

• JULY
  Air conditioners and other appliances
  Bathing suits
  Children’s clothes
  Computers
  Electronic equipment
  Fuel
  Furniture (indoor and outdoor)
  Handbags
  Lingerie and sleepwear
  Luggage
  Men’s shirts
  Men’s shoes
  Rugs
  Summer clothes
  Summer sports equipment and athletic apparel

• AUGUST
  Back-to-school clothes and supplies
  Bathing suits
  Camping equipment
  Carpeting
  Computers
  Cosmetics
  Curtains and drapes
  Electric fans, dehumidifiers, air conditioners
  Furniture (outdoor)
  Furs
  Lawn mowers
  Men’s coats
  Silver
  Tires
  White goods
  Women’s coats

• SEPTEMBER
  Bikes
  China and glassware
  Computers
  Fabric
  Fall fashions
  Gardening tools
  Gas grills
  Hardware
  Lamps
  Paints
  Pool & patio furniture
  Shrubs, trees, perennials
  Small consumer electronics

• OCTOBER
  Bikes
  Digital cameras
  Fall Merchandise
  Fall/winter clothing
  Fishing equipment
  Furniture
  Gas grills
  Lingerie and hosiery
  Major appliances
  School supplies
  Silver
  Storewide clearances
  Winter coats

• NOVEMBER
  Baby products
  Bikes
  Blankets and quilts
  Boys’ suits and coats
  Cars (used)
  Computers
  Gas grills
  Lingerie
  Major appliances
  Men’s suits and coats
  Shoes
  Toys
  White goods
  Winter clothing

• DECEMBER
  Bikes
  Blankets and quilts
  Cars (used)
  Children’s clothes
  Christmas tree ornaments
  Coats and hats
  Computers
  Holiday cards/seasonal gift wrap
  Men’s furnishings
  Resort and cruise wear
  Shoes