The key to a successful bargain is timing. Here are some tips from the experts on how to save big in a few key categories.
HOTEL ROOMS
4 p.m. local time on a Sunday is the best time to book a room, says CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg. Follow these steps:
• Call the hotel's direct line -- not the 800 number or reservations -- and ask to speak to the manager on duty.
• Tell the manager you're shopping for a great room rate and ask what the hotel can do for you.
AIR TRAVEL
The cheapest fares are usually at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday, says Rick Seaney of the website FareCompare. Most major airlines announce their sales on Monday nights, and this triggers other airlines to try to match those discounted prices on Tuesdays.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are usually the cheapest days to fly, with the earliest flight in the day being the most cost effective followed by lunchtime or dinnertime.
GROCERIES
For markets, Wednesday is the start of the week, so that's the day you can get a discount on the previous week's goods, especially meat and poultry.
Stephanie Nelson, author of "The Coupon Mom's Guide to Cutting your Grocery Bills in Half," says not all stores follow the same schedule, so ask your local store when it does its markdowns, and you'll get great savings.