Outfitting your new home with stylish home appliances should be a fun, exciting experience. After all, you get the opportunity to choose the sleek new refrigerator or a fancy oven that you’ve always wanted. What’s not to love?
Unfortunately, shopping for new home appliances can be incredibly stressful as a new homeowner. After saving up just enough cash for a down payment on your house, you probably don’t have a huge budget for brand new kitchen appliances.
So, how can you get the home essentials you need at prices that won’t break the bank? Consider this your guide on how to save money on name-brand appliances and achieve a high-end look for less.
When to Start Shopping for Home Appliances
Should you wait until your older appliances fail to maximize their use? Or, should you start shopping for replacements right now?
If you want the best deal on that new smart fridge you’ve been dreaming about, the answer is to start looking sooner rather than later. Start tracking your spending each month and figure out how you can save a bit each month. Waiting until your fridge fails will only leave you at the mercy of marked-up prices on home appliances.
Besides, holding onto older kitchen appliances for too long can be dangerous. Think about it: If your old refrigerator starts to fail, it can spoil food and make the entire family sick.
By shopping for a new fridge in advance, you can get the exact style and brand you want at a price you love. With that in mind, it’s time to examine your existing appliances to see which ones need replacing first.
- Check the Lifespan of Each Appliance – Make a list of all the appliances in your home and write down their current ages and lifespans. Keep in mind that specific models may have longer lifespans than others.
- Shop by Priority – Next, consider which home appliances need to be replaced first. If all your home appliances are old and need replacing, start shopping for the appliance that would cause the biggest disruption to your family if it failed today.
- Make a List of Must-Have Features – Once you have a priority list, jot down a list of features you want in an appliance. Separate this list by features that are “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves” so that you can recognize what you actually need in a new home appliance.
The Best Times to Buy Home Appliances
If you’re in a position where you can wait a few weeks or months to buy home appliances, take advantage of this by scoping out hot deals. There are several key dates and months when retailers mark down their prices or have doorbuster sales on name-brand refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, and other kitchen appliances.
If your old refrigerator or oven is currently running just fine, waiting just a couple months to buy your appliances can help you snag the best deal. To maximize your savings, be aware of the following times when deals on kitchen appliances are at their best.
- Holidays – Fourth of July promotions are often some of the biggest sales of the year for home appliance stores. You can also score good deals on appliances on Black Friday (which follows Thanksgiving Day) and Memorial Day weekend.
- After New Model Releases – Once newer models hit the stores, existing appliances get marked down. For instance, new refrigerator models usually come out right before summer, which means they will typically go on sale in September and October.
- End of the Month – Sales associates at some big box stores have monthly quotas they need to meet. If you shop at the end of the month, they may be more likely to give you a better deal on that new stainless steel dishwasher you’ve been eyeing.
Also, keep your eye out for brand-specific deals. For example, if you’re a big fan of Maytag appliances, be sure to mark your calendar for their annual May promotion where they offer big rebates on select Maytag appliances.
Budgeting Tips and Advice
Even with amazing deals on home appliances, you’re still looking at thousands of dollars that you may not have originally budgeted for. Considering that nearly three out of every ten Americans don’t have $1,000 to spare for emergencies—let alone, for a new fridge—it’s safe to say that some homeowners will feel the financial strain of buying new appliances more than others.
If you’re in a similar situation, there are other things you can do to further ease the financial burden of getting new home appliances. From taking advantage of rebates to applying for 0% financing, there are several ways to keep more money in your pocket when it comes to buying appliances.
- Ask About Price Matching – If you enjoy the customer service at a particular store, ask if they do price matching. This way, you can potentially get the deal you want from a home appliance retailer you trust.
- Take Advantage of 0% Financing – Using the “buy now, pay later” approach to buying home appliances makes perfect sense if you can make the minimum payments each month and can pay off the amount before you accrue any interest. Many home appliance retailers offer 0% interest for 12 months, which should be more than enough for you to pay off a $1,000K refrigerator.
- Consider Shipping and Installation Costs – If you’re buying home appliances online, make sure that you factor the cost of shipping into your budget. Additionally, you’ll likely be charged for installation and to haul away your old appliances.
- Check for Rebates – Home appliance rebates are an effective way for consumers to recoup some of the cost of a new refrigerator, dishwasher, cooktop, and other home essentials. Check for home rebates from your favorite brands, such as LG, Bosch, and Samsung. You can also get ENERGY STAR rebates that go toward the purchase of your new ENERGY STAR home appliances.
- Sell Your Old Appliances – If your older home appliances aren’t completely worn out, you may be able to sell them. Not only will this eliminate the fee you would normally pay for haul-away services, it might get you $50 – $150 to put toward additional home appliances or maintenance.
A Fool-Proof Strategy for Home Appliance Shopping
Figuring out a budget and a timeline for home appliance shopping can be overwhelming. Sometimes, the stars align, and you can nab a new washer and dryer when the moment is just right. Other times, you just aren’t so lucky.
Even if you don’t get lucky with the timing, there are plenty of ways to make home appliances fit into your new homeowner budget. By doing your research and sticking to your budget, you can spruce up your new home without burning a huge hole in your wallet.
