Jessica Pedro
‘Tis the season to be merry and enjoy shopping at discounted prices in stores all over the country. Everyone’s now offering end-of-the-year sales, and it can be very tempting to go on ahead and shop to your heart’s content. But be wary, because not all discounts are created equal!
After-Christmas sales can help you save tons of money, but there are things that you can get for a better price in other sales down the road. So, take a look at the best things to get right now, and the things you should avoid until another time.
Holiday Décor and All Things Christmas 
With the Christmas season over, people are no longer in need of holiday decorations. And with the lower demand, you get lower prices, so you can find amazing bargains on ornaments, lights, and everything else you need to get ready for next year’s holidays in advance. Shops are trying to get rid of all their Christmassy things and make space for other, more popular items, so this is the best time of year to stock up on all things Christmas.
Festive Lights is offering an extra 10% off everything in their end-of-year sale, and if you go to Balsam Hill, you will get 60% off in their post-Christmas clearance.
Say No to Electronics 
Electric appliances and other electronics are best avoided this time of year. You might think the shops are offering great prices on them after the holidays, but no discount now will ever beat the prices on electronics that you can get during Black Friday. Even Apple has their one and only sale on Black Friday, so if you wanted to get some electronics, we advise that you wait until next November.
You don’t have to wait so long to buy a TV, however. TVs usually go on sale just ahead of the Super Bowl, so late January or early February is a good time to buy one.
Boxed Gift Set? You Bet! 
Boxed gift sets are usually on sale just after the holidays. Because of their Christmas-themed wrapping, most shops want to sell as many of them as soon as they can. So, if you don’t care about the packaging that might not be trendy anymore, and are just interested in products you can use all year round, getting a gift set right now is a great way to save some money.
Bath & Body Works has an amazing semi-annual sale right now where you can get as much as 75% off select items! And if you’re into scented candles, use the RetailMeNot cash back offer, and get an extra $5 off on 3-wick candle purchases of $10+.
No Merriment with Fitness Equipment 
Just after Christmas is not the perfect time to buy fitness equipment. If you’re just a little patient, wait until January to find good deals on it. With the “New Year New Me” mindset, many people are making their New Year’s resolutions about starting a healthier lifestyle or hitting the gym, and fitness equipment is actually more affordable at that time.
Another good month for exercise equipment shopping is June. Warmer months make people want to exercise outdoors more, so there’s a huge slump in indoor exercise equipment sales, and retailers offer great discounts then to clear their inventory.
Spend Away on Evening Wear 
After all the Christmas parties are done, many shops want to remove their evening wear off their shelves. You can find great cocktail dresses and evening gowns at amazing prices in department stores during their end-of-year sales. So, don’t stress if you haven’t found your New Year’s outfit yet. Shopping at the last minute will definitely pay off this time.
JCPenney, for example, is having a major discount until January 27th. You can get up to 70% off in their big winter wrap-up.
End-of-year sales attract a large crowd, and everyone always seems to be in a hurry. But it’s important to be a wise shopper, so don’t go buying every item that’s in the discounted section. Go slowly, do your research before you start shopping, and learn which seasons offer the best discounts on which items. Start your New Year right, and save money while treating yourself to some nice presents!