Yesterday, while walking by the river, I got a notification on my phone about the early deals for Amazon Prime Big Deal Day. I sat down on a bench and opened my cart, suddenly wondering if I should buy this now.

With less than two months until Black Friday, it would be frustrating to buy something now only to find it cheaper in November. So, I took a closer look at the dates and trends by category this time.

First, about the dates. According to Amazon's official announcement, this year's Prime Big Deal Day will be held for 48 hours from October 6 to 7.

It starts at 12:01 AM Pacific Time on October 6. Limited deals will be released three times a day at midnight, 8 AM, and 1 PM Pacific Time.

And these deals are exclusive to Prime members. The annual fee is $139, and the monthly payment is $14.99, so it's a bit hesitant to sign up just to grab a few deals.

If you're a college student or younger, the Prime for Young Adults rate is $7.49 per month, which is much more manageable. There's also a 30-day free trial, so you can finish your shopping within that period.

Interestingly, competitors are also having sales during the same week. Target's Circle Deal Day is also from October 6 to 7, and Circle 360 members can access it starting October 5.

Walmart's Deal Day runs for a week from October 5 to 11. Anyone can shop at Walmart, and Walmart Plus members can see deals a bit earlier.

Having sales from all three stores overlap in one week is actually a good timing for shoppers. You can compare the same products side by side.

Now, the part I'm really curious about. Various shopping media outlets commonly say that the strongest deals on Prime Day are for Amazon's own brands.

Products like Kindle, Echo, Fire TV Stick, and security cameras like Ring or Blink fall into this category. While prices for these products may match during Black Friday, it's rare for them to drop further.

So, if you've been eyeing a Kindle, it's best to buy it in October. Waiting until November will likely yield almost the same price.

Essential items like toilet paper, detergent, and shampoo are also frequently mentioned as good categories to stock up on in October. Since these are things you'll use anyway, there's no reason to wait if the price is right. Bulky items like toilet paper are even more convenient since they can be delivered.

Small kitchen appliances like coffee makers and air fryers also frequently appear on Prime Day recommendation lists. I've recently gotten into the fun of frying shrimp with my air fryer, so I'm seriously considering getting one.

Surprisingly, toys are also a good buy in October. The issue is more about stock than price, as popular items often sell out in November.

On the other hand, the overwhelming opinion is to wait for TVs. The lowest prices for large-screen TVs usually come out around Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Game console bundles, Apple products, large appliances, and winter outerwear are often recommended for November. Especially for Apple products, since multiple stores are competing, there's a greater chance for prices to drop.

Gift sets are also better in November. Perfume or cosmetics sets tend to have larger discounts at the end of the year, and in December, they may even go on clearance.

This year, Black Friday is on November 27, and Cyber Monday is on November 30. With Thanksgiving on November 26, early sales will likely be widespread around that week.

One guideline that has helped me the most is this: if the Prime Day price of an item you want is only about $5 to $10 different from the expected Black Friday price, just buy it in October.

It's a bigger loss if you miss out on it while trying to save a few dollars. Hearing this made me feel a bit more at ease. After all, the time spent worrying is also a cost.

And you shouldn't get too excited just by seeing the discount percentage. Sometimes, they inflate the original price and then label it as a 60% discount, so it's essential to check the price history.

Amazon has also made it possible to view price history for up to 365 days with the Alexa shopping feature. You can also use separate price tracking sites. Comparing with prices from a few weeks ago will quickly show you if it's a real discount.

I usually put the items I want in my cart ahead of time and set price alerts. On sale day, I tend to end up buying something I hadn't planned on while browsing.

Make sure to search for the same items at Target or Walmart as well. Since sales overlap in the same week, sometimes other stores may have better prices.

To summarize, buy Amazon devices, essentials, small kitchen appliances, and toys in October.

Wait until November for TVs, consoles, Apple products, large appliances, and gift sets. If you're unsure, calculate the price difference and decide.

Honestly, my biggest weakness during sale seasons is buying unnecessary cute items. This time, I'm going to buy only what I really need and use the leftover money to treat myself to something delicious.

Make sure to organize your cart in advance and shop smartly this fall! Let's make this shopping season fun and savvy!