Timing is everything, especially when it comes to getting great deals, says textbook illustrator Evelyn Scanton of Berkeley, CA. “You can buy most anything at a cheaper price if you wait for the appropriate time,” says the mother of Piper, 6, and Brandon, 4. “We get bedding and linens  in January, wrapping paper after the Christmas holidays and inflatable kiddie pools after Labor Day weekend.” Want to shop smart? We asked  experts to weigh in on how to find bargains on some bigger-ticket items.

Cars

The best time of the year to buy a car is in late summer or early fall, when carmakers release new models and dealers want to get rid of last year’s leftovers, says Frank Lesser, owner of Planet Honda Dealership in La Jolla, CA. The best time of day? Early mornings in the middle of the week, when the dealerships are the least crowded. “Take the morning off work,” he says. “It’s really the best time for incentives and sales, as well as bargaining.” Heading to the dealership on a weekday morning means fewer customers, so you’ll have time to negotiate and less competition  for the same car. The more demand, the less willing a salesperson is to  go down on price, says Lesser. If you can’t wait until the fall to buy, you can also get a good price at the end of every month because dealers are under pressure to book sales. “If they exceed the manufacturer’s monthly sales targets,” he adds, “they’re rewarded by getting more of the hotter, better-selling vehicles the next month.”

Clothes

Dying for that new designer dress you’ve just spotted in the window of your favorite store? Try to avoid  impulsive shopping, advises Bridget Taylor, author of Fashion on a Budget. “The biggest mistake you can make is buying an outfit as soon as it enters the store,” she says. After an item lingers on the rack for a month or more, retailers start dropping its price to get it out the door. So wait six to eight weeks, and then opt to shop on Thursday night—the best time to shop for new clothes because stores are busy restocking their shelves before the weekend. “Thursday evenings are great for finding discounted rates,” Taylor adds. If you’re waiting for deeply discounted prices, shoot for end-of-season sales. Spring styles go on sale around Memorial Day if not sooner, and fall fashion in early December. Season-end clearances tend to be the same month that designers host fashion weeks (February and September) to preview the next fall or spring collections. “Check the catwalk to see if any of this season’s trends will still be hot next year,” Taylor says. “Then scoop them up  on clearance.” 

After-holiday shopping.

It’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of a bargain and bring home items you don’t need. To make the most of holiday sales this season:

Have a game plan.

Avoid overspending by sticking to an after-holiday budget.  

Comparison shop. Cell phone price-comparison search tools can help you find out if you’re  getting a good deal—without leaving the store.

Be patient.

Many sales start with modest markdowns and then offer progressively larger savings as the new year  approaches.  

Shop online.

To avoid crowds, look for deals online with free shipping or deep discounts.