Your 2013 bargain calendar

Sofas in February, bras in June -- everything hits a rock-bottom price sometime during the year. We grilled Dan de Grandpre, editor-in-chief of DealNews.com, and Mandy Walker, an editor for Consumer Reports, to find out when to shop for sales and what to buy each month.

When to buy

Don't let great sales take you by surprise. Let this be your guide for the best steals and deals, all year long.

Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

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January

Holiday decor and wrapping paper
Linens (Invented by a Philly department store in 1878, "white sales" are now practically law.)
Toys
Treadmills and ellipticals (Stores are trying to push these out the door before your resolutions tank!)
Vacation packages

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February

Furniture (The lowest prices hit around Presidents' Day, in order to move merch at a traditionally sluggish time.)
Homes and condos
Lobsters and steaks (Grocery stores stock up for February 14 and discount immediately after.)

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March

Chocolate (Yes, it's from Valentine's Day--but really cheap!)
Luggage (Retailers cut prices to boost sales in a month when people aren't traveling much.)
Outdoor gear and winter clothing

Related: 30-Day Money Cleanse

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April

Cookware (Welcome to the start of graduation and wedding season...)
Home-improvement supplies
Tires and auto parts (For National Car Care Month--who knew?!)

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May

Air conditioners (Buy now, not in July.)
Camping and outdoor gear
Summer clothes (Memorial Day sales!)
Mattresses (Stores are making way for the new models.)
Gym memberships (Because who wants to work out inside when it's beautiful out?)

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June

$Aaron Haupt\Getty Images // Magazine$

Caribbean cruises
Lingerie (Retailers like Macy's, barenecessities.com, and Victoria's Secret turn over inventory this month.)
Laptops
Tools and hardware (Happy Father's Day!)

7 of 15 Aaron Haupt\Getty Images

July

Sandals and swimsuits
Furniture (New styles introduced at April's big trade show are finally hitting the market, so last year's models are super-discounted.)
Picnic supplies (Fourth of July + nearing end of summer season = sales bonanza.)

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August

Outdoor grills (Great selection, good prices.)
Kid clothing and school supplies (It's the annual back-to-school price war that you know so well.)

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September

iPhones and iPods (New models usually debut now, so old ones are cheap.)
2013 cars (When 2014's start hitting the lot, dealers have to empty out some parking spaces.)
Airfare (Vacay's over, sadly.)
Bikes
Summer apparel

10 of 15 Courtesy of Manufacturer

14 of 15 Redbook