It’s always a good time to get a good deal. But as tariffs take effect on some imported goods — and as the Trump administration continues to negotiate tariffs with other countries — you may be especially interested right now in how you can save money while you shop.
Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine has taken the time to assess how you can find deals this year on investments, groceries, electronics, clothing, cars and travel, as well as how to take advantage of credit card perks — with a special emphasis on finding deals for products and services most prone to rising prices as the trade war evolves. In this article, we look at deals on electronics. (See below to find links to our other articles about deals.)
You’ll likely find the best deals on smartphones, TVs, laptops, tablets and other gadgets by shopping during retail holidays.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Discounts of up to 50% on electronics are possible around Labor Day, says Louis Ramirez, deals editor-in-chief for tech-review website Tom’s Guide.
Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and New Year’s sales are good times to shop for electronics, too.
You might also consider trading in your used device when you make a purchase. In addition to tariff-related price increases on new electronics, consumers will likely see a rise in the trade-in values for used devices, says Ramirez.
The trade-in value depends on the age, model and condition of your current device and varies widely; you can get as much as $800 to $1,000 or as little as $12 to $40 for your old device.
Devices from some brands retain their value longer than others. Laptops and tablets that are more than five years old often have minimal trade-in value.
But Apple devices tend to retain some value for five to seven years, says Ramirez.
Check out these devices
Shopping for previous-generation devices can be a great way to lock in low prices on quality electronics.
If you’re in the market for a new laptop or tablet, consider buying the 2024 MacBook Air (recently available for $800 at Best Buy) or the 2024 iPad Air (recently available for $499 at Walmart), rather than the 2025 models, which sell for $999 and $599, respectively.
Alternatively, opt for an AI-driven laptop. These laptops use software powered by artificial intelligence to enhance performance, user experience and functionality.
They’ve had a lukewarm reception from consumers, many of whom remain comfortable with PCs that don’t have these built-in AI features. So you can find significant markdowns on some AI laptops.
Acer, Dell, HP and Samsung are all lowering prices on their AI-driven models, says Ramirez.
For example, the Dell XPS 9350 Laptop with Copilot+ was recently available at Best Buy for $999, or $400 off its original price.
If you’re in the market for a TV, big-box stores such as Best Buy may be your best bet, especially around Labor Day.
Typically, you can get as much as $2,000 off select big-screen TVs from LG, Samsung and other brands during Best Buy’s Labor Day sale.
Amazon has also been known to sell smart TVs, such as the Insignia 24-inch F20 Series HD Fire TV, for as little as $65 on Labor Day.
Note: This item first appeared in Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine, a monthly, trustworthy source of advice and guidance. Subscribe to help you make more money and keep more of the money you make here.
Related content
- Valuable (and Fun) Things You Can Get for Free
- Smart Ways to Save Money at Museums
- How to Find Deals on Travel in 2025
- Don't Miss Out on These Four Credit Card Benefits
- Three Ways to Find Deals in Your Investments This Year
- Three Ways to Spend Less on Groceries This Year
- Surprising Ways to Find Deals on Cars Despite Tariffs
- Strategies to Spend Less on Clothing and Online Shopping in 2025
-
We bought a vacation home for retirement, but we never use it. Should we sell, or rent it out and wait for mortgage rates to come down?We ask financial planning experts for advice.
-
Is a CD a Smart Money Move Amid Potential Rate Cuts?Knowing what's coming can help savers prepare and maximize returns.
-
Where I'm Stashing My Emergency Fund Before Rates Change
Knowing what's coming can help savers prepare and maximize returns.
-
My Car Is 10 Years Old. Should I Drop Down to Minimum Coverage on My Car Insurance?Reducing your car insurance to minimum coverage could save you thousands on premiums. But when is it worth the risk?
-
Don't Be a Sucker: The Truth About Guarantor and Cosigner AgreementsThere are significant financial and relationship risks involved if you agree to be a cosigner or guarantor. Make sure you perform your due diligence, and know exactly what you're getting into, before agreeing to such a commitment.
-
Amazon Expands Free Fresh Grocery Delivery to 1,000 CitiesAmazon's expanded grocery delivery service costs less than Amazon Fresh. Is it a better deal?
-
Is Crypto Investing Coming to a Credit Union Near You?Credit unions are getting in on crypto investing through partnerships with third-party platforms, but the risks to investors still apply.
-
My First $1 Million: Retired Army and Health Care Worker, 52, HoustonEver wonder how someone who's made a million dollars or more did it? Kiplinger's My First $1 Million series uncovers the answers.
-
Seven Things You Should Do Now if You Think Your Identity Was StolenIf you suspect your identity was stolen, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself, but make sure you take action fast.
-
How AI and Human Expertise Are Changing Wealth-Management ServicesWealth-management software helps you keep track of your investments and manage your money. We look at Range's all-in-one platform to see how it works.
