What to Buy On Presidents Day to Save

Retail traditionally has certain days that see an abidance of sales, ones you fixate on as being special versus the ones that are marginally worth paying attention to from one week to the next.

Every time Macy’s offers a “One-Day Sale” for example, you might not be as inclined to jump on it, just based on the fact that there is one seemingly every other month.

But sales such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday and others of that ilk are head turns, to say the least, simply because historically speaking you’ll save money more so than you would a rudimentary, ho-hum “sale” in the most stretched of terms.

On average, 30 percent of all retail sales occur between Black Friday and Christmas, making it the most consumed shopping period of the year.^[1]

And most know that this is the time to strike when sales are overflowing, percentages off seem staggering and stores are all too willing to part with just about everything they can, leaving price as no real object.

Aside from Black Friday and the time leading to the holidays, you can’t overlook other times during the year when sales are robust and renowned, and truly worth your time, attention and almighty dollar.

While some are really a lot of bells and whistles (such as the aforementioned “One Day Sales” or a 4th of July “deals” ad you might see from a retailer, others are true testaments to the general consumer on how to save money and get what you want.

Like any holiday sale, however, you have to really hone in on what products are the best to buy given the time of year, discounts offered or if you’re really seeing not a whole lot of movement price wise.

Presidents Day is upon us, February 19, and with it comes droves of sale prices, online deals and in-person, direct to door circulars that are promising discounts on anything from bedding to jewelry and everything else in between.

Some products and services are much more conducive to saving money than others as far as Presidents Day is concerned, so being selecting, smart and prudent with your purchases means you’ll save.

For the same reason Christmas decorations are 80 percent off after the holidays is why you’ll want to be choosey on Presidents Day.

This historical holiday comes with it the ability to buy and save, but if history is any indicator some things are hits, while other “misses” should be avoided since they’re really not worth buying whatsoever.

The National Retail Federation expects to see an increase in total retail sales in 2018 to the tune of between 3.8 and 4.4 percent.^[2]

With Valentine’s Day spending behind you, Presidents Day is up next on the docket for retailers to market and consumers to spend.

Just make sure you focus on these select products, first and foremost.

Clearance Items: Why already reduced means even more saved

One place potential Presidents Day sales consumers might overlook are the discounts on already reduced items. You’ll tend to skip over those and look at discounts that are marked down from the “original price.”

Yes, those have the potential to be great deals, but a lot of what makes Presidents Day such a prominent holiday for shopping is a lot of retailers want rid of last year’s products/models, etc. in favor stocking shelves for what’s new (cars and spring wardrobes immediately come to mind, more on that in a minute).

Already reduced deals run rampant on Presidents Day, with retailers such as Clarks, Forever 21, Kay Jewelers and Saucony just to name a few.

Clarks is offering 70 percent off clearance items, while Saucony checks in with 50 percent already reduced merchandise, in addition to Forever 21 and Kay Jewelers at 50 percent and 15 percent, respectively.^[3]

As far as winter clothing goes, it already is being reduced across the board with spring on the horizon, and retailers making room for all things seasonal in that regard. From outerwear to sweaters, boots and winter caps and gear, you’re already seeing savings of anywhere from 10 to 15 percent off, with more to come thanks to Presidents Day.

Old Navy is offering 50 percent off winter items, while Eddie Bauer and Timberland are at 40 percent off and 25 percent off, respectively as well.^[4]

Cars: Why dealerships need rid of 2017 models yesterday

A common theme among Presidents Day sales that will be apparent is moving out older models for what’s about to hit the shelves new for 2018.

Cars certainly are the embodiment of that, particularly when the business as a whole tends to focus on what’s next as far as advertising goes rather than what’s already here.

Case in point: 2017 inventory versus 2018 models, and some even looking ahead already to 2019, although most of that won’t happen until around Thanksgiving, this year.

Even more incentive and subsequent pressure is on dealerships as a whole, with January 2018 not being the best month, sales wise.

The year got off to a slower start for the auto industry with with sales down 2.7 percent versus the same time last year. The average buying incentive in January was $3,600 and that number is expected to increase this month, starting with Presidents Day. ^[5]

And these car deals are not exclusive to one particular brand or make.

Cadillac is offering nearly $7,000 cash back on its 2017 CT6, while Kia has leasing options that are barely over $100 per month on a new car.^[6]

The common theme centers on the 2017 leftovers, most of which are perfectly fine even though throughly discounted. Any lease options on 2018 should come in at a more aggressive rate versus last year given the dip in sales.

As always, come into the potential negotiation with a price in mind and, if possible, have your financing ready. If nothing else, make sure you have some idea what rate you should be getting based on your credit score.

Electronics: From PCs to tablets, now is the time to save

If cars are quick to be moved from 2017 to 2018, the same could be said for electronics in any and all forms and fashion.

Televisions, laptops, speakers, desktop computers and even accessories are always a smart and popular buy for Presidents Day, with Amazon, Best Buy getting into the mix from a larger retail store (both online and physical) perspective, but also buying directly from the maker isn’t a bad option, either.

Best Buy and Apple are tied at the hip, and you can see that with a few President’s Day sales on the horizon, and available in store and online. Most notably, you can save $150 off a 10.5 inch iPad or the 21.5 inch iMac.^[7]

Anyone who is familiar with Apple and appreciate that brand loyalty with company knows that discounts on Apple related items is few and far between.

You also should be checking out deals from HP, Microsoft and Dell, all of which have models available in retail stores like Best Buy or for purchase online from a third-party, but these manufacturers also are quick to offer their own promotions for Presidents Day, too.

Dell is offering 55 percent off not just laptops and desktops but also blu tooth speakers as well, and the same goes for HP, matching Dell’s 55 percent off deal.^[8]

Microsoft and Apple are arguably the two biggest computer related names on the books, and the former is celebrating Presidents Day with its own anniversary: the Microsoft Surface Pro turns five.

This tablet, laptop combination isn’t so much the one opening gifts on its birthday but instead Microsoft has turned it into a present for Presidents Day for the masses. The Surface Pro is $200 on Presidents Day.^[9]

While some consumers, when it comes to electronics, are always quick to want the latest and greatest, most smart shoppers argue that a model that is six to eight months old is hardly antiquated and certainly worth purchasing, particularly on Presidents Day.

Appliances/Furniture: Much like cars, retailers are making room for new

So here’s another group of products that, well, aren’t feeling very wanted in 2018. Maybe that’s because their shelf life, a short one, has fallen off a bit as last year came to a close, and they realized that they’ll be moved aside for something younger, but not necessarily better.

Furniture and appliances are always heavily discounted in the early part of the year, and Presidents Day starts that ball rolling with additional markdowns and incentives.

Some of the heaviest hitters in retail in this forum are quick to give you price breaks galore, starting with the likes of Home Depot, Overstock and Sears.

As for appliances, Home Depot and Sears seem to be the odds on favorite for the most eye-opening discounts. Home Depot is knocking 35 percent off appliances.^[10]

Sears really is rolling out the appliance red carpet with 40 percent off and in some cases nearly 50 percent (they have a refrigerator originally priced Kenmore at $1,999.99 down to $999.99).^[11]

If that price doesn’t work for you, they’re offering a stainless steel side by side model from Kenmore for under $800.^[12]

Furniture is more of the same with dozens of discounts highlighted by what’s happening at overstock.com and Big Lots, just to name a few.

Overstock is hitting the Presidents Day sale hard with up to 70 percent off on anything from furniture to mattresses and home decor, among just about everything else they offer.^[13]

Big Lots is discounting heavily on entertainment stands, recliners and fireplaces as well with an average of about $100 on the recliners, and $200 off the fireplaces. Home Decor and outdoor paraphernalia is anywhere from 15 to 20 percent off as well.^[14]

Retailers are always quick to find a hook or an enviable reason to offer sale prices and discounts that make sense, financially, for them.

Certain products, based on the time of year or sale on the table, are more feasible than others, and retailers certain know this to be the case.

But let’s not forget, too, that you’ll also be privy to sale prices on items that aren’t really that great of deals, but if you’re a retailer why not throw them into the equation in the hopes that you’ll get a bite?

That’s what stands before you with Presidents Day sales: all the reason in the world to buy but only if what is offered makes sense.

Even though Presidents Day often is overshadowed by Valentine’s Day, the deals are better overall than the February 14 holiday. Shoppers who bought on Presidents Day saved 18 percent on entire purchase than they did versus Valentine’s Day, about a one percent difference but that adds up quickly, however.^[15]

While some experts explain that you should have a list of what you want, that isn’t always a full-proof plan. The better option is to understand what products and retailers do the most on various holiday sales to move the proverbial needle and get your attention in a way that makes financial sense for you, too.

Turning Presidents Day into a free for all is only going to lead to overspending or, most importantly, thinking you’re getting a great price when it’s paltry in comparison to other products are more lauded than the rest.

Presidents Day celebrates George Washington’s birthday, and you know he couldn’t tell a lie. But you’d be fibbing yourself if you believe all Presidents Day sales are created equal, and all products are the same as far as how much you save.

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