I check the Consumer Reports sales calender once a month to check if the purchases I am contemplating line up with when CR says is the best time to buy. The calender is based on data from industry surveys and publications, and consultations with CR’s in-house experts. Here is what they say will be priced nicely in May:

• Athletic apparel and shoes
• Camping and outdoor gear (my camping pad no longer holds air, but I don’t have any trips planned so I’m going to pass)
• Cordless phones
• Lawn mowers
• Small consumer electronics

And here is what’s on tap for June:

• Camcorders
• Computers (buy early for back to school?)
• Indoor furniture
• Small consumer electronics
• Summer sports gear
• Swimwear (I totally disagree with this one! July and August are the best time to get steeply discounted swimsuits and not sacrifice too much selection.)