We all know you can save money on furniture with seasonal and clearance sales; that's a given. But, how do you know when those sales are going to happen, and how can you maximize on your savings? Keep reading to find out when the best furniture sales happen and tips on how you can find the greatest clearance sales in your area.

1. As with Clothing, Furniture has Seasons.

Just like the way you can buy a bikini in November for 75 percent off, the same can be said for beautiful patio sets in October or lush, velvet red couches in July or even student's futons once November hits. Furniture is manufactured seasonally, and if you can catch an end-of-season sale, you're going to save a lot of money.

Buy your outdoor furniture in the autumn, your heavy indoor items in the summer and avoid the purchase of any kid's or office furniture during the back-to-school season. If you learn the selling seasons of these specific types of furniture and then time your purchase for the end of that season (before the stores move them out altogether), the financial benefit will be significant.

2. Furniture Retailers Love Holiday Sales.

From Labor Day to President's Day to Memorial Day, furniture retailers love to hold their biggest sales of the year on long weekends that include Monday holidays. This year, instead of heading out of town with the kids, rent a van and stock up on end-of-season bargains.

3. End-of-Month is Another Prime Time.

Especially when you're dealing with a retailer that employs commissioned sales clerks, you'll find prices will drop and negotiations will be more flexible closer to the end of the month or the financial quarter. Because these sales people have to meet quotas and hit their sales targets, they're a little more motivated to sell when the pressure is on.

4. Plan to Buy at Least a Month in Advance.

Don't make a major purchase like furniture as an impulse buy. My mother has had the same couch for the last twenty years. It's been reupholstered a couple of times, but imagine living with a bad purchase decision for twenty years - especially one so prominently placed as a living room.

First, make a plan to buy your new furniture. Then, spend a week actually looking at flyers, web sites and paying attention to television or radio ads to get a feel for merchandise and pricing in your area.

Next, settle on a budget and pick three store locations that you want to look, but still keep your eyes and ears open for last minute sales and clearance opportunities. Finally, after you're planned out your strategy, then you can do your shopping.

Basically, how to save money on furniture with seasonal and clearance sales all boils down to paying attention to seasonal shifts, watching for holiday sales, going at the end of a seller's fiscal period and properly planning every purchase. By following those four, simple steps, you're sure to save money and enjoy the benefits of your purchase for many years.