by wildcherry on Sunday, June 14th, 2009 | Deals

Air travel

The cheapest time to fly depends on your route and other factors, though you’ll often find that seats are least expensive on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday flights. The best time to buy is a different question. Generally, you can take advantage of competition among airlines flying the same domestic routes if you start your seat shopping after 3 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesdays (and continuing through Thursday), according to Rick Seaney, CEO of the Web site FareCompare.com. The worst days to fare shop are Saturday and Sunday, he adds.

Bowling

Go before 9 or 10 a.m. or sometimes after 9 p.m. for the best rates.

Car washes

Deals can be had if you drive in early, before 8 or 9 a.m.

Cell-phone service

Some wireless plans offer reduced rates or free unlimited calling after certain hours and on weekends. For example, Verizon Wireless’s unlimited night hours are 9:01 p.m. through 5:59 a.m. weekdays. On weekends, 12 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

Farmer’s markets

The sellers rarely want to haul their bounty back to the farm, so look for deals near closing time.

Golf

Tee off by 7 or 8 a.m. or after 3 or 4 p.m. (sometimes called “twilight golf”).

Gyms

Some offer discounted memberships if you work out during off hours, such as before 11 a.m. or after 8 p.m.

Movies

Matinees, usually in the morning or early afternoon, are a traditional money saver. The national AMC Theatres chain also has a program called A.M. Cinema that offers discounted tickets (typically $4 to $6) before noon on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Oil changes

You can often save a few bucks by dropping off your car earlysay, between 8 and 11 a.m.

Parking

At some big-city garages, you’ll qualify for a better rate if you pull in before 9 or 9:30 a.m.

Restaurants

Even some high-end places now offer early-bird specials and other tasty inducements. Look for lunches starting before 11 a.m. and dinners at 4 or 5 p.m. Not hungry yet? Night-owl specials often begin around 9 p.m.

Spas and salons

They sometimes discount their services before 3 or 4 p.m.

Supermarkets

Some grocery stores mark down baked goods, meat, rotisserie chickens, produce, prepared sandwiches, salad bar items, and other perishables in the evening near closing time. Others do it first thing in the morning.

Tennis

You’ll often save by starting your game as early as 6 or 7 a.m. or late, such as after 9 p.m.

Theaters

Matinee performances, often at about 2 p.m. on weekdays, are typically less expensive. Unsold tickets for other performances often go on sale a couple of hours before curtain time; ask at the box office. You might have to pay cash.

Utilities

Find out whether your utility offers off-peak or time-of-use rates for electricity. Then run your dishwasher, for example, when kilowatts are cheapest. For Con Edison customers in the New York City area, off-peak hours are basically anything but 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays.

Whale watching

If you decide to treat yourself to a trip with all the money you’ve saved, consider booking excursions at special times. Our bargain scouts turned up early-bird whale watching at 9 a.m. in California and 7 or 7:30 a.m. in Hawaii. And as far as we know, you’ll enjoy the same high-quality whales as people who pay full price.

Tags: deal, Deals, shop for deal, when to shop