Here's the Most Affordable Time to Shop Outside of Black Friday

A few years ago, a lady yelled at me the day after Thanksgiving as we both sat in a sea of traffic in a mall parking lot. She wanted to move forward and was mad I didn't move my car. She didn't know or care to see that I wasn't moving because I was letting other cars go in front of me.

I wasn't even looking for a good deal that day. I just wanted to get out of the house for a bit. At the end of her horn-blowing and various comments in my direction, the woman sarcastically yelled out to me, "Merry Christmas!!"

What a beautiful time of the year the Christmas season is.

When I say that I understand if you want to avoid shopping during Black Friday, I really understand. Fortunately, there are a few other times during the year when you can score great deals and keep your personal finances on track. Sarcastic seasons greetings not required.

Seasonal sales in August and February

Savvy shoppers know that there are almost always good deals when one season is winding down and another is ramping up. That's why August and February can be great times to find retail deals.

In August, retailers switch their inventory to fall items, selling off any leftover summer items. There will likely be less inventory to choose from, but what is available will likely be a good deal. Keep an eye out for back-to-school deals during this time as well.

Additionally, February can be a great time to find great deals as the winter season ends. You can usually find bargains on winter clothes this time of the year, as well as President's Day sales for furniture, appliances, and even electronics, like laptops.

After Christmas sales

If you don't want to wait until August or February for your next big shopping excursion, consider hitting the retail stores right after Christmas. Many stores offer discounts on items they didn't sell during the holidays, and many are looking to lure in shoppers who received gift cards for Christmas.

I once bought a Christmas tree floor model during this time. It didn't have a box, but all the lights worked. We already had a real tree decorated in our living room, and I had to convince my wife that two Christmas trees were better than one, but I saved 60% off the original price by shopping during this time.

Save on shopping any time of the year

I needed a suit a few weeks ago, and just by luck, the first store I went into had them for 50% off. I don't buy suits often (I think once per decade is my current cadence), so it was nice to stumble upon the deal.

But there are better ways to shop than just running across random sales. Here are a few tips if you're looking to snag the best deals all year long.

• Set a budget: Deciding ahead of time how much you want to spend on any given item is the best way to get a bargain. Set a budget for your purchase and wait until you've saved enough money to buy the item.
• Wait for the right time: There's almost always a sale on something. That doesn't mean you should be retail shopping constantly, but it does mean that if you make a list of things you need -- and wait for them to go on sale -- you'll eventually come across a good deal.
• Comparison shop: I'm a naturally skeptical shopper, so I immediately check the competitor's price online when I see a discount. Some discounts aren't all they're cracked up to be, so do a little research before buying.

If you brave the crowds this Black Friday, Godspeed. You'll likely find some great deals out there; just remember to be nice to the guy in the car ahead of you.