Holiday shopping
When to buy toys for Christmas: early or wait
When to buy toys for Christmas: buy the one popular toy early and wait on the rest, because most toy prices drop only a little in November.
Mathieu Roux2 min read
Mathieu Roux
Writer
Writes the holiday, back-to-school and summer buying guides.
Articles by Mathieu
Holiday shopping
The gift you bought too early
A short opinion on buying holiday gifts too early: why the October deal often costs more than it saves, and what a calm gift shopper does instead.
Mathieu Roux4 min read
Black Friday
Returns and price adjustments for holiday sales
How to protect yourself when a sale price drops after you buy: what to check in return and price-adjustment policies, and what to keep.
Mathieu Roux4 min read
Holiday shopping
Last-minute holiday gifts that still arrive on time
How to buy last minute holiday gifts that still arrive on time, what to pick when shipping is late, and how to avoid paying extra for panic.
Mathieu Roux4 min read
Holiday shopping
Holiday shipping cutoffs: when to order so gifts arrive
Holiday shipping cutoffs decide whether a gift arrives on time. Here is a simple timing rule, what to do when you miss the date, and when to pick up in store.
Mathieu Roux2 min read
Summer
Best time to buy patio furniture and grills
The best time to buy patio furniture and grills is usually late summer through early fall, when stores clear stock. Here is the plan and the catches.
Mathieu Roux4 min read
Back to school
Student discount vs sale price: which saves more
Student discount vs sale price: how to compare the two, when a student offer beats a sale, and when a sale is the cheaper way to buy.
Mathieu Roux3 min read
Holiday shopping
The sale that never ends
A short opinion on sale fatigue: why every week feels like a sale, how countdown timers push you, and why the calmest shoppers tend to pay less.
Mathieu Roux3 min read
Holiday shopping
When to buy holiday gifts, category by category
A timing plan for holiday gifts: which to buy in early November, which to wait on, and which to buy right away before they sell out.
Mathieu Roux4 min read
Summer
Best time to buy luggage, and when to skip the sale
The best time to buy luggage is often after peak travel seasons or around holiday sales, and a good return window matters more than the discount.
Mathieu Roux2 min read
Holiday shopping
After Christmas sales: what to buy and what to skip
What to buy in after Christmas sales, from decor and wrapping to coats and fitness gear, and what to skip because the price barely moves.
Mathieu Roux4 min read
Back to school
When to buy school supplies to pay less
When to buy school supplies: late July through August is the usual window, but the first week is the time to skip. Here is the simple plan.
Mathieu Roux2 min read
Summer
Best time to buy a fan or air conditioner
The best time to buy a fan or air conditioner is often late summer or winter, not the first heat wave. Here is how to time it and what to check.
Mathieu Roux5 min read
Back to school
Back to school laptop deals: when to buy one
Back to school laptop deals usually start in July and run through August, but the best price can come in November. Here is how to time it.
Mathieu Roux4 min read
Holiday shopping
Best time to buy a game console and when bundles help
The best time to buy a game console is often the fall sale season, but bundles and model changes matter more than the day. Here is how to time it.
Mathieu Roux4 min read
Holiday shopping
When to buy Christmas decorations and a tree for less
When to buy Christmas decorations and a tree: early picks, after-holiday clearance and the cost of waiting. A plain timing plan for lights, trees and decor.
Mathieu Roux4 min read
Summer
End of summer clearance: what to buy and what to skip
End of summer clearance is a good time to buy some things and a bad time to buy others. Here is a simple list of what to buy, wait on and skip.
Mathieu Roux4 min read
Summer
Best time to buy a bike without paying peak price
The best time to buy a bike is usually late summer or fall when new models arrive and old stock is cleared. Here is how to time it and what to check.
Mathieu Roux4 min read
Back to school
Should you buy school clothes early or wait for sales
Should you buy school clothes early or wait for sales? A simple rule for kids who grow fast, plus what to buy now and what to leave for fall clearance.
Mathieu Roux2 min read
Back to school
Rent, buy or used textbooks: which saves the most
Should you rent, buy or get used textbooks? A simple rule by class type, plus when digital copies win and when buying new is the only real option.
Mathieu Roux4 min read
Back to school
Dorm room essentials: when to buy and what to wait on
Buying dorm room essentials is easier when you know what to buy early, what to wait on, and what to skip. A simple timing plan for move-in day.
Mathieu Roux5 min read
Back to school
Chromebook vs laptop for school: which one to buy
A Chromebook vs laptop for school comes down to what the student runs. Here is a simple rule, a table and when the cheaper one is the better pick.
Mathieu Roux4 min read
Summer
Best time to buy swimwear and when clearance is worth it
The best time to buy swimwear is often late summer clearance or early winter, not spring. Here is a simple rule and when buying early still makes sense.
Mathieu Roux2 min read
Back to school
Best time to buy a backpack for school without overpaying
The best time to buy a backpack for school is usually late summer or early fall clearance, but a good fit matters more than the sale. Here is the rule.
Mathieu Roux3 min read