Common wisdom would say you can drive your best bargain on grills and patio furniture in the middle of the winter, right?
Not necessarily, says Hillary Mendelsohn, author of "thepurplebook" online shopping series and founder of ThePurpleBook.com.
Because retailers have cleared their outdoor goods in September and October, they're just beginning to get in their new merchandise now, she says.
Expect better deals: "You actually wait until close to Memorial Day," Mendelsohn says. Then you can save about 20 percent.
What is on sale in January: home improvement supplies.
Just in time for those New Year's home improvement resolutions, find about 15 percent off on everything from flooring and carpeting to tools, says Sharon Banfield, director of public relations for PriceGrabber.com.
And in some situations, you can find 25 percent to 50 percent off carpeting (by the room), says Daniel Butler, vice president of retail operations for the National Retail Federation.