Shopping at the right time saves serious money. Even better, combining seasonal sales with cash back rewards from RebatesMe turns every purchase into double savings. This monthly guide shows you exactly when to shop for the best deals and biggest cash back opportunities all year long.
Retailers follow predictable patterns when they discount different categories. Understanding these cycles helps you plan major purchases around peak sale times while earning cash back through RebatesMe. You’re not just saving on the sticker price. You’re getting money back in your pocket too.
January: Fresh Start, Fresh Deals
Retailers kick off the year by clearing inventory and targeting New Year’s resolution shoppers. The best time to shop for fitness gear, bedding, and home organization is right now.
Alo Yoga dominates January with New Year fitness promotions on leggings, tops, and yoga essentials. Shop through RebatesMe to earn up to 5% cash back on premium activewear that withstands intense workouts. January prices beat what you’ll pay once resolution season fades and everyone’s back to their regular routines.
Bloomingdale’s runs white sales on sheets, towels, and bedding throughout January. The legendary discounts stack beautifully with up to 7% cash back from RebatesMe. Luxury thread counts at reasonable prices are available only once a year, so stock up on sets that transform your bedroom into a hotel-quality retreat.
Walmart clears holiday inventory with aggressive markdowns on storage solutions and organizational systems. Earn up to 7% cash back through RebatesMe while tackling those “get organized” goals. Post-holiday pricing means you’re saving on bins, shelves, and containers that actually help you follow through on resolutions.
Mark your calendar: Martin Luther King Jr. Day sales offer another wave of discounts mid-month. Most retailers extend weekend sales through Monday.
February: Love Your Wallet
Valentine’s Day drives gift sales, but smart shoppers know February offers better deals on luxury items and winter clearance. The best time to shop for designer goods and to take advantage of Presidents Day sales is this month.
Michael Kors targets Valentine’s shoppers with promotions on handbags, watches, and accessories that make thoughtful gifts. Grab up to 8% cash back from RebatesMe while shopping luxury items already marked down for the holiday. February pricing beats what you’ll find during regular season.
Macy’s unleashes massive Presidents Day sales across home goods, appliances, and clothing. Shopping through RebatesMe earns you up to 15% cash back on items already discounted 40-60% off. This three-day weekend delivers some of the year’s best values on major purchases.
Calvin Klein clears winter inventory with deep discounts on outerwear, sweaters, and cold-weather essentials. Earn up to 4% cash back from RebatesMe on designer pieces marked down 50% or more. Stock up for next winter at prices that won’t return until next February.
Mark your calendar: Presidents’ Day weekend brings furniture sales, mattress deals, and home goods discounts across most major retailers. Valentine’s Day chocolate goes on clearance on February 15.
March: Spring Forward Into Savings
March lacks major shopping holidays but delivers solid deals as retailers transition inventory from winter to spring. The best time to shop for wellness products and early spring gear is now.
iHerb promotes spring wellness with discounts on vitamins, supplements, and natural products people buy during seasonal transitions. Earn up to 6% cash back through RebatesMe while stocking up on health essentials. March prices beat what you’ll pay once peak supplement season hits.
Target launches spring decor and outdoor living collections with early-season promotions. Earn up to 2% cash back with RebatesMe when refreshing your home for warmer weather. Shopping early means better selection before popular items sell out.
Home Depot stocks spring gardening supplies and outdoor equipment as serious gardeners prepare for planting season. Combine seasonal promotions with up to 8% cash back from RebatesMe to save on mulch, plants, tools, and power equipment you’ll use all summer.
Mark your calendar: St. Patrick’s Day brings restaurant promotions, but major retail sales remain quiet until Easter approaches in early April.
April: Spring Cleaning Your Budget
Tax refunds hit bank accounts in April, and retailers know it. The best time to shop for spring fashion, luxury items, and home improvement projects arrives as the weather warms up.
Bloomingdale’s refreshes inventory with spring fashion and accessories at promotional prices. Shopping through RebatesMe can earn up to 7% cash back on designer brands that already offer seasonal discounts. Easter weekend sales extend the savings even further.
Home Depot runs spring project promotions on paint, flooring, and outdoor upgrades. Earn up to 8% cash back from RebatesMe while tackling renovations that transform your space. April weather makes this ideal timing for outdoor projects before summer heat arrives.
Mark your calendar: Easter sales vary by year based on the holiday date, but typically bring discounts on spring clothing and home decor.
May: Outdoor Season Kicks Off
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer shopping season, with appliance sales, outdoor gear discounts, and athletic wear promotions. The best time to shop for warm-weather essentials happens this month.
adidas targets summer athletes with Memorial Day promotions on running shoes, athletic apparel, and sports equipment. Earn up to 6% cash back with RebatesMe as you gear up for outdoor workouts. Three-day weekend sales deliver some of the year’s best prices on performance gear.
Sam’s Club promotes bulk summer essentials perfect for cookouts, pool parties, and beach trips. Earn up to 15% cash back from RebatesMe on cases of beverages, snacks, and outdoor entertaining supplies. Warehouse shopping plus cash back equals serious savings on summer staples.
Home Depot runs Memorial Day sales on major appliances, grills, and outdoor furniture. Shopping through RebatesMe can earn up to 8% cash back on refrigerators, washers, and other equipment that anchor summer entertaining. This holiday delivers appliance deals that rival Black Friday.
Mark your calendar: Memorial Day falls on May 25, 2026, with sales starting the Friday before and extending through Monday.
June: Summer Starts Strong
School lets out, and summer travel season begins, bringing opportunities to save on athletic wear and footwear. The best time to shop for Father’s Day gifts and summer shoes happens now.
PUMA targets Father’s Day shoppers with promotions on sneakers, athletic wear, and sports accessories. Earn up to 8% cash back through RebatesMe while grabbing gifts Dad actually wants. Mid-month timing means better selection than you’ll find during end-of-summer clearance.
Zappos discounts sandals, sneakers, and summer footwear as warm weather drives shoe sales. Grab up to 6% cash back from RebatesMe on brands that survive beach walks and hiking trails. June inventory beats the picked-over selection you’ll find come August.
Walmart runs summer essentials promotions on outdoor toys, pool supplies, and camping gear. Shopping through RebatesMe earns up to 7% cash back on items you’ll use all season long. One-stop shopping makes stocking up for summer incredibly convenient.
Mark your calendar: Father’s Day falls on June 21, 2026, with sales typically running the full week before.
July: Independence From High Prices
Fourth of July sales rival Black Friday for deep discounts. The best time to shop for summer clearance and major purchases happens during this patriotic shopping holiday.
Target unleashes July 4th promotions across clothing, home goods, and outdoor equipment. Earn up to 2% cash back through RebatesMe while shopping red-white-and-blue deals on summer essentials. Mid-summer timing means retailers are motivated to move inventory before fall products arrive.
Macy’s continues its reputation for massive holiday sales with July 4th discounts on clothing, home goods, and accessories. Grab up to 15% cash back from RebatesMe on items already marked down 40-70% off. Independence Day weekend creates incredible stacking opportunities.
Home Depot extends Memorial Day-level sales into the July 4th weekend with major discounts on appliances and outdoor living. Shopping through RebatesMe adds up to 8% cash back on upgrades that transform your home. Summer clearance on patio furniture starts appearing, too.
Mark your calendar: Fourth of July falls on Saturday in 2026, creating a long weekend of sales opportunities that extend through Monday.
August: Back to School, Back to Savings
Tax-free weekends and back-to-school promotions dominate August shopping. The best time to shop for athletic wear, clothing, and budget-friendly supplies happens before classes resume.
adidas runs aggressive back-to-school sales on sneakers, backpacks, and athletic wear students need for fall sports and gym classes. Earn up to 6% cash back through RebatesMe while checking off school shopping lists. August prices beat what you’ll find during holiday shopping season.
Newegg targets students and gamers with back-to-school promotions on laptops, computer components, and tech accessories essential for college success. Earn up to 15% cash back through RebatesMe while building or upgrading systems that handle coursework and gaming sessions. August delivers some of the year’s best prices on computers as retailers compete for student dollars during tax-free weekends.
The tech retailer stocks everything from budget laptops for note-taking to high-performance gaming rigs for computer science majors. Monitor and keyboard bundles are available at promotional prices, perfect for dorm room setups. Shopping through RebatesMe means massive cash back on already competitive tech pricing. Late August clearance begins as Newegg makes room for new product launches, leading to even deeper discounts on current-generation components.
Target stocks school supplies, dorm essentials, and clothing, and runs back-to-school promotions. Grab up to 2% cash back from RebatesMe on everything from notebooks to mini fridges. One-stop shopping makes preparing for school incredibly efficient.
Temu offers budget-friendly prices on school supplies, electronics accessories, and dorm decorations. Earn up to 35% cash back through RebatesMe while saving on items students need without breaking the bank. Late August clearance means even better deals on remaining inventory.
Mark your calendar: Many states offer tax-free weekends in early August on clothing, school supplies, and computers.
September: Fall Into Better Deals
Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer and the start of the fall shopping season. The best time to shop for athletic wear, fall fashion, and outdoor clearance.
Alo Yoga transitions to fall collections with Labor Day promotions on hoodies, leggings, and layering pieces. Earn up to 5% cash back with RebatesMe when you build your autumn workout wardrobe. September timing offers better selection than the holiday rush.
Bloomingdale’s launches fall fashion with seasonal promotions on designer collections and accessories. Shopping through RebatesMe can earn up to 7% cash back as you update your wardrobe for cooler weather. Labor Day sales make luxury more accessible.
Home Depot liquidates outdoor living inventory with massive Labor Day discounts on patio furniture, grills, and summer equipment. Grab up to 8% cash back from RebatesMe on items you’ll use next summer. September clearance prices won’t return until next year.
Mark your calendar: Labor Day falls on September 7, 2026, with sales running through the long weekend.
October: Prime Time for Savings
Fall shopping events create competition across all retailers. The best time to shop for beauty products, luxury accessories, and holiday prep happens this month.
Sephora hosts its famous fall sale, offering Beauty Insider members discounts on makeup, skincare, and fragrance. Earn up to 4% cash back through RebatesMe while stocking up on products you use daily. October gives you the first chance to grab holiday gift sets before they sell out.
Michael Kors promotes fall accessories with sales on handbags, wallets, and watches, perfect for gift giving. Grab up to 5% cash back from RebatesMe while getting ahead of holiday shopping chaos. October prices often match Black Friday deals without the crowds.
Walmart competes with Prime Day through matching promotions on electronics, home goods, and clothing. Shopping through RebatesMe adds 7% cash back while avoiding Amazon’s shipping delays. October inventory gives youa better selection before popular items disappear.
Mark your calendar: Columbus Day sales occur early in the month, with competing Prime Day events typically falling in mid-October.
November: The Shopping Super Bowl
Black Friday and Cyber Monday create the year’s biggest shopping event. The best time to shop for gifts, clothing, and holiday deals happens during this intense period.
Temu runs aggressive Black Friday promotions on electronics, home goods, and gift items at budget-friendly prices. Earn up to 35% cash back through RebatesMe on affordable gifts that don’t look cheap. November deals make holiday shopping accessible to every budget.
Macy’s competes fiercely during Black Friday weekend with doorbuster deals on clothing, home goods, and jewelry. Shopping through RebatesMe adds up to 15% cash back on already heavily discounted items. This is the department store’s biggest event of the year.
Target extends Cyber Monday promotions across toys, electronics, and holiday essentials. Grab up to 2% cash back from RebatesMe while checking off your gift list online. Monday shopping means avoiding Black Friday crowds completely.
Mark your calendar: Thanksgiving falls on November 26, 2026, with Black Friday on November 27 and Cyber Monday on November 30.
December: Last Chance Savings
December: Last Chance Savings
Holiday shopping peaks in December, but smart shoppers know the best deals happen after Christmas. The best time to shop for next year’s gifts, beauty products, and luxury accessories arrives December 26. However, don’t wait until after the holidays to start shopping. Early December brings its own wave of promotions worth catching.
Belk runs holiday gift promotions throughout December with doorbuster deals on jewelry, home goods, and seasonal items while you earn up to 10% cash back through RebatesMe. Early December brings limited-edition beauty collections and holiday exclusives that disappear by mid-month, while December 26 transforms the store into clearance paradise with 40-70% off winter clothing, holiday decor, and seasonal items you’ll use next year.
Sephora dominates December with holiday beauty sets featuring bestselling products from prestige brands like Drunk Elephant, Fenty Beauty, and Rare Beauty at prices significantly lower than buying items individually. Earn up to 4% cash back through RebatesMe on exclusive holiday packaging and Favorites collections that group bestsellers by category, then watch for after-Christmas sales starting December 26 when luxury beauty products drop 20-50% off through Weekly Wow deals.
Ulta creates holiday magic with gift sets from brands like Clinique, Urban Decay, and Tarte while you earn up to 6% cash back through RebatesMe. The 21 Days of Beauty event runs through early December with daily doorbusters and rotating 50% off Prestige Beauty Steals, then after-Christmas clearance on December 26 drops those $50 holiday sets to $15-20 as Ulta makes room for spring inventory.
Kate Spade offers seasonal collections of handbags, jewelry, and party-ready accessories with site-wide December promotions that stack beautifully with up to 3% cash back from RebatesMe. Post-holiday sales starting December 26 rival Black Friday with 50-75% off markdowns that drop $300+ handbags under $100, while the Surprise Sale section restocks throughout late December with rotating designer pieces at budget-friendly prices.
Tory Burch elevates holiday shopping with luxury handbags, shoes, and jewelry across all price points while you earn up to 4% cash back through RebatesMe on pieces built to last for years. After Christmas, private sales for email subscribers deliver 30-50% off designer pricing on previous-season items, with iconic Miller sandals, Robinson totes, and Kira chevron bags appearing at discounts rarely seen during regular retail periods.
Calvin Klein runs December promotions on fragrance sets, underwear essentials, and accessories, making them practical gifts while earning you up to 4% cash back from RebatesMe. Holiday sets include full-size bottles plus travel sizes in premium-looking packaging, and after-Christmas clearance drops prices by another 40-60% from December 26 through New Year’s on designer basics, matching budget retailers’ prices.
Target transforms into holiday headquarters, offering gift ideas, decorations, and entertaining essentials at accessible prices, while you earn up to 2% cash back through RebatesMe. December brings rotating weeklong toy sales, mid-month electronics promotions, and Dollar Spot stocking stuffers, then after-Christmas markdowns progress from 30% off on December 26 to 50% off by December 28 and finally 70% off by New Year’s Eve.
December 26 deserves explicitly its own strategy. Retailers across the board slash prices on holiday inventory they need gone before January arrives. This single day offers better deals than Black Friday on seasonal items you’ll absolutely use next year. Start with Belk for decorations and winter clothing, then hit Sephora and Ulta for beauty products, and finish at Target for everything else.
Gift cards purchased in December often come with bonus offers that stack with cash back. Retailers add $10-20 bonus card when you buy $100 or more in gift cards. Shopping through RebatesMe adds cash back to the gift card purchase. You’re essentially getting paid to buy gifts that let recipients choose exactly what they want.
The week between Christmas and New Year’s creates a sweet spot for shopping. Stores need to clear holiday inventory, but haven’t received spring shipments yet. Clearance racks overflow with items marked down 50-75% off while you can still earn cash back through RebatesMe. Plus, return traffic stays light compared to the chaos of mid-December shopping.
December rewards patience and strategy. Early-month shopping captures exclusive holiday collections and gift sets before they sell out. Post-Christmas clearance on December 26 delivers the year’s best prices on seasonal items. Late December sales bridge the gap through rotating promotions that clear inventory before January. Planning your shopping calendar around these patterns maximizes savings and cash back rewards.
Mark these December dates: Early December for exclusive holiday collections, December 26 for after-Christmas clearance, and December 28-30 for additional markdowns as stores desperately clear floor space. Shopping through RebatesMe during each of these windows means your cash back adds up while you’re already saving on clearance prices. That’s the kind of double-dipping that makes December shopping incredibly rewarding.
Shop Smart All Year Long
The best time to shop varies by category, but earning cash back through RebatesMe stays constant year-round. Plan major purchases around seasonal sales cycles, then multiply your savings by shopping through RebatesMe. Your wallet will thank you.
Start planning next year’s big buys now. Mark these key shopping periods on your calendar and watch your cash back rewards stack up month after month. Smart timing plus cash back rewards equals serious savings on everything you need.
Cash back rates are subject to change. Please check RebatesMe regularly for the latest cash back offers and promotions to maximize your savings.
