You’ve got money to spend, but is it the right time to spend it? Here’s what the experts say.
A European vacation
Dana Moore, a principal with HMS Investment Advisors, says now is the time to pull the trigger if you’ve been dreaming of a trip overseas.
“It is a great time to go to Europe because the dollar is strong and the EU is weak, so it is the cheapest a European vacation has been for 5-6 years,” she says.
“That definitely works in our favor. But in terms of big ticket spending, it really comes down to the individual.”
A car
“The best time to buy a car is in the model year change,” Moore says.
That means start looking for deals late in the summer when the auto companies start releasing the 2016 models.
“You’ll usually get a better deal on financing and rebates. From that standpoint it is a better time of the year to buy.”
A boat/RV
Luxury vehicles like RVs and boats follow the same general principle as cars, but Moore says people might want to think twice about buying.
“I can’t tell you how many clients I have who are looking to sell their boat,” she says.
“Boats and RVs consume a lot of fuel dollars, so if oil does go up so does the cost of operating the boat.”
Electronics
These are best priced on Black Friday, but that doesn’t mean deals can’t be had all year, especially on top-of-the-line televisions.
New models come out in the beginning of the year, so right about now older models should see some serious discounts.
A house
If people can buy now, they should since interest rates are low. And despite rising prices and low inventory, homes are still relatively affordable.
Still, timing the market is tricky since things are constantly in flux.
“If you are trying to time the market, it is like trying to catch a falling knife,” says mortgage broker Tim Davis.
“You could get lucky and catch it, or you can get unlucky and get hurt.”
Appliances
Like car manufacturers, major appliance makers roll out new models in late summer and early fall, so before the holidays – even before Black Friday – is a great time to pull the trigger on a dishwasher or laundry set.