Shopping the January Sales
If I asked you when the best time is to stock up on school supplies, you’d say July, right? It’s when all of the big box stores tend to have boxes of crayons for fifty cents or two, 10-packs of markers for a couple of bucks, and those spiral notebooks that get caught on everything for cheap. I know that in my house, we stock up on these back-to-school items because I want them to last until the following summer… why spend a dollar on a folder for a project in May when I can buy it over the summer for a dime?
After the winter holidays, we all feel the pinch, financially speaking, so many of us don’t go out and make big purchases in January. Many retailers hold their biggest sales of the year in January to attract customers after the holidays. Be on the lookout for extra percentage-off sales. Retailers do tend to offer big savings on certain items during this cold, blustery month, though, so if you have the funds kicking around or you just need to satisfy your desire to shop, check out these items:
Whites: You know, towels and linens… and in all colors, not just white. This is a fairly widespread phenomenon, so if you need sheets and towels, this is the time to buy them!
Summer Appliances: Will you be needing a new air conditioner or grill come summer? Now’s the time to buy. There is very little demand for these appliances this time of year, so the prices may be lower than usual.
Houses: Are you in the market to buy a house? While conventional wisdom says to wait until spring or summer when moving is logistically easier (and the kids are out of school), financial wisdom says to look in the winter. Sellers might be willing to negotiate a bit more for a quick sale because not very many potential buyers are looking at houses.
Snack Foods: Superbowl weekend is a great time to buy snack foods. While you don’t want to overindulge any time of year, if you like keeping foods like chips and dips in your pantry for company or treats, stock up now.
Cold Weather Comfort Foods: During the months of January and February, chances are good that someone in your household will come down with the common cold or some other mild illness. Take advantage of January sales on things like tea and canned soup so you’ll be prepared.
Christmas decorations: January is also a good time to buy Christmas decorations, wrapping paper, etc., for next year at deeply discounted prices. Stock up for the next year.
Winter Apparel: Winter apparel like coats, gloves, and scarves also go on sale in January as retailers make room for spring inventory.
Fitness Equipment: Fitness equipment and treadmills are often discounted in January when people fail to keep up their New Year’s resolutions.
Weight Loss Programs and Gym Memberships: ‘Tis the season to make weight-loss resolutions, and the marketing companies of weight loss programs know it! You’re probably seeing Weight Watchers coupons and flyers for gym memberships in your mailbox right now. If you’re looking to start a healthier lifestyle, there’s no time like the present. Follow through with your New Year’s diet resolutions.
Gift Cards: After the Holidays, many of us have a stack of gift cards that either get lost or go unused. This is a great time to either cash them in or put them up for auction.
January may still feel gloomy as winter drags on, but the sales can offer a bright spot for your budget and give you a welcome opportunity to stock up. With kids home for winter break, too, it’s the perfect time to take on some organizing projects with all those discounted office and household supplies. Motivate yourself to follow through on healthy lifestyle changes by taking advantage of fitness equipment promotions as well. Just think how good it will feel come summer when you realize how much money you saved shopping smart back in January!
As always, when sales shopping, set a reasonable budget for yourself, make a list so you don’t overspend on impulse buys, and focus on staples or upcoming needs rather than wants. Take the time to price compare across retailers as well before you pull the trigger. Most of all, enjoy getting reacquainted with your community and reveling in the quieter vibes of local stores after the intensity of holiday crowds. Here’s to a new year filled with joy, adventures with loved ones, and hopefully, some extra pennies in your pocket thanks to winter deals!
Smart shopping throughout the year can help you save money, and stocking up on staples helps you save time. Have you found any great deals this month? Share them with us!
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I think January is the time of year everyone looks forward to as it the SALES. You look around to see what bargains you can pick up.
It is the time to stock up on cold weather food items. I need to always have on hand cold medicines, hand wipes, kleenex, hand sanitizers and soup and hot tea!
I never though about it but it is probably a great time to stock up on gift cards. I’m going to see what I can find.
Thanks for all the good tips on what sales to look out for.
These are great tips, thank you! You can often find great deals on electronics in January, too, clearing out the “old” models to bring in the new ones!
I only knew about a few of these, thanks for the tip!! I know there is a lot of after christmas clearance too!
I can’t for January to come to shop it is the time for the best deals in the world. That is when to get clothes and my shoes.
Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for the tips! I only knew about a couple of these.
Theres some things that go on sale I wasn’t aware of…thanks!
Sometimes a sale is not worth it, however. My hubby brought home some really cheap coffee a few days ago, brewed some, and it was barely drinkable.
ah i learned something new! thanks for sharing! 🙂
I found on Christmas Day online is the best time to buy video games, they are usually fifty plus percent off. I also got so many clothes at Old Navy all 75 percent or more off. I only allow myself new shirts if they are under dollars and pants if they are under 10 dollars.
I used to love shopping the after Christmas sales, until the stores started putting all of their junk items out a few years ago. Now that the stores have good stuff for their sales, I don’t have the money to buy anything!!
good time to stock up for Christmas next year
There are so big time sales going on for fitness related items 🙂 resolutions resolutions resolutions!! lol
I normally do buy sheets, towels, bedsets in January. Nice article.
Thank you I am finally able to do sales and with my son’s birthday coming up it’ll be great.
I always shop in January…but then again, I have to…my daughter’s birthday is in January.
Great post! Thanks for the tips on when to buy…some of them I’d never thought about before
I’ve been waiting to get a new big tv and I had heard they had good sales right before the Superbowl. Don’t know if it’s true or not, but I’ll be on the look out.
Thanks for the reminder. I was just thinking last week that January would be a good month to replace some linens since mine are getting so old.
I think right after Christmas is a great time to get stuff. You can get things 50-75 % off alot of times.
Thanks for the tips! I love to shop in January, but some stores have low inventory because they take inventory! I try to buy “extras” during this time such as sheets and towels.
I never thought to buy linens this time of the year. I usually buy them in the summer. I’ll have to go check it out!
I used to keep a list like this of the best times to buy everything. This list was taped to the inside of my gift cabinet. Perfect! great to keep on hand!
Great tips. I surely try them all. 🙂
January is the best month for whites. From now on it’s new towels (and consequently new rags) every new year!
Thanks for the shopping information. I really enjoy sales and
TRY to have something set aside to shop with after Christmas.
January is a great time to stock up, I agree. As long as you have the storage space to stock up. Thanks!
Ross Olson
i love january sales, i wish i had enough money tpo do my shopping for christmas already
Thank You for the tips I will try to put that into practice. I do need pillows.
This is great info thank you!
if you can wait for a sale, you can save a significant amout! great to know what and when!
I love January sales!! I save up all my Christmas money for that purpose! And you can stock up on stuff for next year’s Christmas!
GREAT!! This so makes sense! Thanks for the tips!! It’s seems to be these things that slip our minds, now I know when to get the best deals and on what!!! Looking forward to checking out the stores now and realizing the difference that I was missing before! Great post and I must say savings worthy as well!
I usually find good deals on workout clothes and diet foods in January.
All good tips, I usually look for coat sales mid-late Feb, and sports teams clothing (since my football team is out of the playoffs) are also greatly reduced, got my son a jersey for next year for half price 🙂
Thanks for the advice. I hope you continue sharing these advice each month!
Thanks for the tips! I love hunting for bargains!
I need a new air conditioner for sure. Thnks for this post!
who doesn’t love shopping!!!?
i never saw things like this and my family does stock up on school supplies on july, but i think black friday deals can not be beaten
awsome great tips
Yes, I’ve noticed some of those deals in the flyers. I’ve spent so much for Christmas though, I hate to spend afterwards.
I always buy new towels in the winter and this year I am hoping to find a nice comforter
So many great tips!
Thanks for all the information. 🙂
Great to know my daughter starts kindergarten in August 🙂
I love a good bargain!
I love to shop in January, they have the best sales on Clothing, and Makeup.
Thank you for the post.
Thanks for the tips. I buy out of season clothes for their sale prices.
I never have enough money left over to shop the sales after christmas! NEXT YEAR I’m so doing this!! 🙂 Lovely tips
After Christmas and 4th of July are the best times to shop for anything. The semi-annual clearance sales are when I stock-up on my gifts for the year too.
i bought a lot of Christmas clearanced stuff for next year. candles and bath-y junk gift sets for other people… and lights and garland and window stickies for myself. 50 to 75% off and it doesn’t matter if it’s in the basement all year 🙂
I totally agree with you that its best to shop specially after peak season. I really want to go back to the gym this month that’s why Ive been looking for another Weight Loss Programs and Gym Membership discounts here in our place.
i love shopping in january i always find great deals for my kids on clothing and even for birthdays i have to buy for throughout the year
I love after Christmas sales! Thanks for the tips :}
Who has money in January? LOL…I need to find a “rent and electric bill” sale. hahaha
After Christmas Shopping is the best!! I never thought about the towels and such!! Thanks for the great tips!! 🙂
I absolutely love to shop after Christmas!! They have the best sales ever and I received alot of giftcards this year that came in very handy!!
Thanks for sharing your tips!
Awesome, thanks!
Thanks for the tips. Though, it’s January and I have no money.
I always replace needed linens in January – prices are never beaten!
My daughter’s birthday is in February and I always get so much for her because of all the super fabulous sales that they have in January. Can’t beat all that after Christmas stuff, plus the 75% off sales on things like boots.
I still say there’s no place better than Burke’s Outlet for sales!!
A lot of good tips. Thanks for sharing!
Need to stock up on whites. 🙂
I never thought of all the things or reasons to shop now. Thanks
I love the after the holiday clearance stuff!! we got candy for 10 cents at family dollar the other day because it was 90% off!! The singing animals, christmas decorations, etc. We usually do this after valentines day, 4th of july, and halloween too! 🙂 thanks for these tips, i wouldn’t have thought some of these things! 🙂
I always find the best deals in January, great article 🙂
I usually love shopping in the January sales! But this year here in Italy they aren’t very good…
Yes the best deals are in the beginning of the year, thanks for the advice!
I always buy linens in January on the white sales.
gifts for all thanks!
wonderful tips and great review, i usually wait till after the holiday’s to shop for anything, prices always seem much lower 😉
i love shopping in jaburay
wonderful tips, i’ll stock up for whites and i never think about gift card too
Bring on the white sales……….. these are the only thing nice about winter…. sales sales sales…………..imagine just after xmas who’s got the money lol
Lots of great tips. Thank you, I never thought of shopping in January. Of course, I usually don’t have any money either, but maybe next year I’ll save up for the January sales.
I always shop in January. Great deals in January. Plus I have lots of Gift cards to use up 🙂
I’ve been thinking of doing that actually – especially for the summer items like patio stuff! I didn’t think about towels though but Im going to look for the bargains|! we really need some new ones
I wish I could get motivated to start with the weight loss. I know now is the time with the cheaper prices going on.
January has some of the best sales for the necessary items.
Isn’t there a lot of sales in January! I sometimes think that we ought to move Christmas to a few weeks later. You can get anything for really good money
I like shopping in January too for all the white sales too. I’d love to be able to snag an airconditioner right about now, but not surprisingly there are none in the stores. Oh well, there is always after summer.
This is a great list, thanks!
Best sales are in January!
Time to stock up on whites! Thanks for sharing 😉
Thanks for sharing the info.
January sales are the best time to stock up on everything!
I’m going to look into buying an air conditioner for the summertime now. Thanks for the tip!
Funny, I’ve noticed that some of the great deals we used to enjoy in January are already on sale in December. The prices aren’t much different. Do you suppose that’s because of the economy?
So many great ideas. We are in the market to buy/sell our house and also need a new air conditioner. You are right, now is the time.
Thanks so much for the tips! I’m always looking for the best deal and I just happen to need new linens. I’ll have to get out and get some before the month is over!
Thank you for this awesome informnation.
January is the best month to shop they have awesome prices.
Love shopping in January too crowds are gone after christmas.
Ahhh, this is really helpful, I’ve been trying to figure this out!
Next year I will try and save some money for January.
love the after christmas sales! shop them every year.
I’m not a shopper, but I do like trolling the aisles for January sales.
i have found the thrift stores have great deal here and then they are marking ther stuff down a lot
nice thing to read
I always leave a little money put aside for the January sales. It is incredible the discounts that you find from stores that want to get rid of the merchandise rather than having to store it. I bought all my next year’s Christmas paper/boxes/bags and a few extra decorations.
I am a shopper and I love the Jan. sales and in New England, the sales continue right through Feb.
I try very hard to never pay full price for anything. And knowing what will be going to be on sale or clearance helps a lot.
thank you
January is definitely the time for Gym Memberships. You’re right. I’ve seen so many deals lately! Even the Y does “pay the day” for your membership fee.
WISH we were in the market for a house, but have to sell ours first. I thought all appliances were on sale this time of year. That is what we need. I know consumer reports or some other site tells you when the best time to purchase certain items. I guess an air conditioner SHOULD be out of demand here…it was -30 with windchill this week. Really though, ours is bad and I WILL go look into buying the compressor unit now, to be installed in the summer. Makes sense!
In January I generally stock up on reduced price Christmas items for the following Christmas
The thrift store in our city has great sales in January. Last week my
wife got up to 70% on several items. Thank you for the post.
This makes a lot of sense to me… I’m going to make a notebook and start tracking this kind of thing all year long so I can budget better for the things I need. 🙂
I wish I had the money to go shopping for anything besides groceries, like, ever. LOL