The Best New Year’s Deals To Take Advantage of Right Now
If the fallout from the New Year’s Eve champagne didn’t get you on Jan. 1, the financial hangover from the holidays likely will once those credit card bills start rolling in. The truth, however, is that it’s always wise to save a little chunk of your holiday budget for January. Even if they’re not directly associated with the changing of the calendar, New Year’s sales are an annual ritual that can compete with even the best Black Friday and Christmas deals — as long as you know what to shop for.
Read More: Why 2021 Is a Perfect Year To Buy a New Car
If there’s any money left over from the holidays, and if you can push through the shopping burnout for just a few more weeks, there are still plenty of deals to be had. Some January sales are the result of annual inventory turnover while others are cultural traditions left over from the dawn of the first department stores. All, however, can save you money after the holidays.
Last updated: Jan. 5, 2021
Bed and Bath Products
Pioneering retail maverick John Wanamaker held his first Winter White Sale in 1878. Nearly a century and a half later, the tradition of discounting bedding in January is still an annual retail ritual.
Today’s “white sales,” as they’re still called, are a far cry from Wanamaker’s early trendsetting annual discounts, which were specific to white linens at the start of each new year. Today’s shoppers can expect January discounts on not only all colors of sheets, blankets, bedspreads and comforters, but just about all things bathroom and bedroom related. Bloomingdale’s, J.C. Penney, Macy’s, Kohl’s, Nordstrom Rack, Target and Overstock.com are all holding big 2021 white sales, according to DealNews, with prices slashed by 50%, 75% and even 90% or more.
Shopping Tips: 19 Money-Saving Secrets Target Doesn’t Want You To Know
Televisions
The biggest annual television event in America takes place on the first Sunday of every February. The Super Bowl is so huge, in fact, that retailers dedicate a big chunk of every January to post-holiday winter television sales — and those sales are showing up especially early this year, according to TechRadar. Discounts on 4K smart TVs will not be hard to find this month, with retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart slashing prices by several hundred dollars on select models from brands like Samsung, TCL and Hisense.
Read More: 30 Ways Shopping Will Never Be the Same After the Coronavirus
Calendars and Day Planners
The moment midnight hits on New Year’s Eve, the world’s unpurchased calendars and daily planners go over a depreciation waterfall. Those that remain on the shelf become more of a burden with each passing day and retailers work quickly to get them out the door. For example, Target was already listing dozens of 2021 planners, calendars, datebooks and organizers from brands like Moleskine and AT-A-GLANCE at steep discounts of up to 20% before New Year’s weekend even ended.
Find Out: Goods and Services That Will Be More Expensive in 2021
Furniture
New furniture is released in February and August, which has historically made January and July prime furniture-buying months. Although summer is a good time to buy, winter is probably better. January deals come on the tail end of holiday sales — which often include things like office furniture — and since demand is so low in the winter, January is also a great time to buy patio and outdoor furniture, as well. Macy’s, Wayfair, Amazon, Walmart and AllModern are all currently running sales of 50% off or more.
Read More: Shopping Mistakes You’re Making and How To Stop
Fitness Equipment
January was always the season for deals on gym memberships, as fitness centers used new year discounts to cash in on all those better-body resolutions. This year, however, sites like DealNews recommend holding off until around midsummer to buy a new membership as the shutdown status of America’s gyms remains inconsistent and hotly contested.
The discount resolution rule, however, applies not only to club memberships but also to fitness equipment and wellness purchases in general. Dick’s and Overstock.com are just a few of the companies offering new year discounts as high as 70% for fitness and health purchases.
Find Out: Are These Top Fitness and Food-Tracking Apps Worth the Cost?
Christmas Decorations
Most people probably don’t want to shop for next year’s Christmas decorations before they even put away this year’s stuff. The potential savings, however — up to 90% at stores like Target, Kohl’s and Walmart, according to Krazy Coupon Lady — are too good to ignore. Post-Christmas sales on things like wrapping paper and decorations begin on Dec. 26, which is when you’ll find some of the best deals of the whole year.
Sales, however, run for several weeks and, in many cases, the discounts get better the further into January they go. Keep in mind that as supplies dwindle, those holding out for the lowest possible prices are also those who will be stuck with the fewest possible choices.
More From GOBankingRates
Are You Spending More Than the Average American on 25 Everyday Items?
Guns and 32 Other Things You Definitely Do NOT Need To Buy During the Coronavirus Pandemic
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Best New Year’s Deals To Take Advantage of Right Now