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When is the best time of year to buy electronics?

Most electronics follow a predictable cycle. Prices are highest right after a launch and drop in the months that follow, especially when the next model is announced.

The biggest sale events are Prime Day (usually July), back-to-school (July–August, great for laptops) and Black Friday through Cyber Monday (late November). Boxing Day and end-of-financial-year sales (June in Australia) are also strong.

Rule of thumb: if a new model is due in the next two months, wait. Either the new one is worth it, or the old one gets cheaper.

Black Friday vs Cyber Monday: which has better deals?

These days they're mostly one long sale. Many deals start a week early and run through Cyber Monday at the same price.

Big-ticket items like TVs, consoles and appliances tend to be strongest on Black Friday itself. Cyber Monday leans toward smaller tech, accessories and online-only deals.

Don't trust the 'was' price. Check the price history before you buy — some 'deals' are back to a normal price after a quiet price rise in October.

The 72-hour rule for big purchases

Before buying anything over about $200, wait three days. If you still want it — and can say what problem it solves — it's probably a good buy.

Most regret purchases are made on impulse. A short wait also gives you time to set a price alert and catch a drop.

Audit your subscriptions with cost-per-use

Divide what a subscription costs each month by how many times you used it. Anything over a few dollars per use deserves a second look.

Many households pay for services they rarely open. Cancelling one or two often saves more than any single sale.