Hopefully, you have some money in your budget for deals available at post-holiday sales and for January’s famous white sales.
What to buy at after-Christmas sales
Holiday cards. They’ll be greatly reduced. Just make sure they don’t have the year on them.
Holiday decorations. You can add to the kind of decorations you like and branch out and try something new.
Wrapping paper and gift bags. They’ll be 50 percent to 70 percent off.
Holiday candy. You can buy it to eat later, but it’s a food and needs to be stored correctly. Hard candies can often last for several years if stored properly. Dark chocolate can last for one to two years after the “best by” date, if stored correctly. For milk and white chocolate, gummies and jellies, and chewy candies, they’re best if eaten in six to 12 months. Candy with fillings are best if eaten within three to six months. For candy with nuts, the nuts contain oils that can go rancid, affecting the flavor and aroma of the candy.
Other items. Look for deals on fall clothing, tools, and lingerie.
What to buy in January
Look for bargains of up to 70 percent off. The best deals will be early in the month.
Bedding and other soft home goods. You’ll find the famous white sales at stores such as Kohl’s and Macy’s with savings up to 80 percent off.
Gym memberships. Gyms offer discounted prices as the interest in exercises increases with New Year’s resolutions.
Other items. Expect to find markdowns on laptops, small appliances, TVs, fitness equipment, beauty items, winter clothing, storage, and more.
“Deals” to skip in January
It’s better to buy mattresses, major appliances, and jewelry in February. For snow gear and luggage, March is a better month. April or May are better times to find deals on spring clothing.
Given that many January sales offers are stock clearance deals, it’s especially important to scrutinize the discounted products. Compare prices continually.
