If you're like most moms, the adage "shop till you drop" isn't lost on you. In fact, the average woman spends almost 400 hours shopping each year, according to a recent study. Whether you're buying groceries or toys, chances are a lot of time goes into looking for deals. But you can cut down on all those hours spent bargain hunting by shopping at the right time of year, as retailers follow rules that determine when their products go on sale. Doing so can help you save money on just about anything. We've consulted experts, including a self-proclaimed "miserly mom," who know the best time to buy everything (down to artichokes and eggs). Use their tips and be a savvy shopper for life.Groceries Grocery items tend to go on sale when stores are full or overstocked, and that's when Jonni McCoy, author and founder of MiserlyMoms.com, hits the aisles. She buys artichokes when they're ripe (in March) and turkey after the holidays. "Dairy production is up when the grass is green and lush, so it goes on sale in June and July. I stock up on butter and store it in my freezer, since it lasts several months," she says. March is National Frozen Food Month, so you'll likely get great sales then. Buy baking staples around Thanksgiving and Christmas—the thinking is that everyone is baking then—and ethnic items around the corresponding holidays (pasta right before Columbus Day, Chinese foods near Chinese New Year, etc.).Clothes Your best bet for getting a good deal is to buy off-season. Kathryn Finney, founder of TheBudgetFashionista.com and author of How to Be a Budget Fashionista: The Ultimate Guide to Looking Fabulous for Less, says that to get a winter coat or fall boots at the best price, you should shop in January or February, when fall and winter clothes are on sale. For summer and spring staples, shop in August and September. Finney suggests doing your kids' back-to-school shopping in late September, after the school year has begun: "Retailers know that parents have to spend a lot in August, so the prices are higher. You may have to buy larger sizes to tide your kids over to the next season, but that's the best way to get the biggest savings."Cars New models are shipped in September, which makes fall a great time to get a deal on the current year's models because dealers want to get rid of them. If you find yourself in the market for a new car at some other time during the year, shop at the end of the month. Dealers are often under pressure to meet a quota and will be more likely to give you a discount.Linens Major department stores hold "white sales" in January because that's when they do their annual inventory. Stock up on sheets, blankets and towels, and get bonus deals on discontinued items.Houses Winter is the season for bargains when it comes to house hunting. Few people want to schlep around in the ice and snow looking at properties, so there's less competition and fewer bidding wars. If you wait until spring, which is when most homes go on the market, you may have more options, but prices will be higher.Toys While December 26 is generally a good time to buy toys, experts at the Toy Industry Association say good deals can be had in October and November, when retailers roll out the season's new "it" products. If you're in the market for kiddie swimming pools and other outdoor play equipment, buy at the end of summer. The best time to buy video games is from January to March—new games come out during the holiday season, but they're more expensive then due to demand.Trips Scoring the best deal on airfare boils down to a single day: Wednesday. Time management expert Jeff Davidson, author of Breathing Space, says there's a 1:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m window. "The airline reservation system clears out held unpaid reservations on Tuesday at midnight, so from 12:01 a.m. seats open up at more attractive prices," he says. Family destinations like Disneyland cost big bucks if you travel in the summer or during winter and spring breaks. The best time to go to Europe is February through April; if you're heading to the Caribbean, travel in the summer, keeping in mind the hurricane season (June to November, though August and September are the peak months).Appliances & Electronics April is the month to buy televisions and other home electronics. That's because for most Japanese companies, the fiscal year ends in March, which is when they roll out new models. Older models go on sale then to make room for the new. You'll get the best deals on appliances during holiday weekends, including Presidents' Day and Columbus Day, as that's when retailers tend to slash prices.Your Shopping CalendarCarry this schedule in your purse so you'll always know the best time to hit the stores.