What to Buy in January

The idea that, once the holidays have concluded, that you should continue to spend money is downright ludicrous.

In fact, most opt to go in the opposite (and more favorable) route, and that includes putting together a more rigid budget, cease all extracurricular spending and worry about either paying off new debt or putting back the money you took from your savings or emergency account.

All of that sounds good, honestly, and that mindset really is what most should incorporate now that the presents have been handed out, cookies and food devoured and friends and family have left the guest rooms and fold out couches of the world behind them.

But ideally, you can’t completely look the other way when it comes to spending, mostly due to how retailers and subsequent products with some specificity to them are armed to get you to continue looking at ways you can spend money, but included in that endeavor are monstrous discounts on products that seem as though January, of all months, are when they’re ripe with savings.

Consider the fact that retailers realize two very important aspects of post-holiday shopping: 1. most aren’t going to do it at all, and 2. returning unwanted gifts might be the only way you’re going to see a consumer for miles (at least in the droves they arrived in to do their holiday shopping).

About 54 percent of holiday gifts were returned in 2016, and most of that was clothing.^[1]

Experts agree that retailers would rather not have returns, because it isn’t exactly cheap for them to take back what was already sold. Retailers had, using 2014 numbers approximately 284 billion dollars worth of merchandise returned.^[2]

That number is staggering, but you best believe that retailers have a plan in order to make good on returns and exchanges as a result.

But the fact remains is not all products are conducive to being priced to move in January. There are a few products we’ll touch upon below that almost always met with great discounts, ones that suggest you simply can’t ignore.

Strong Armed: Why You Should Buy all things Fitness

Have you heard of New Year’s Resolutions? Naturally, of course.

The biggest New Year’s Resolution arguably is wanting to lose weight, followed closely in most circles by wanting to save money.

Why not pair the two up for a perfect match?

Retailers are ready, willing and able to strong arm you into buying fitness equipment because the want and need are present.

For example, 2015 saw fitness retailers Dick’s Sporting Goods and Sears, along with specific fitness retailers like NordicTrack, discount products to the tune of 25 to 50 percent off.^[3]

Keep in mind, too, that retailers understand that losing weight is key in January, but also that consumers have plenty of options when it comes to how to get from their goal weight to something else they have in mind, as far as weight loss goes.

That’s one some retailers get as aggressive as up to 70 percent off fitness equipment.^[4]

And that goes for more than just fitness equipment but also the aforementioned health clubs and gyms. They’ll typically offer a waived enrollment fee, in addition to lower rates and perhaps a month or two free. Between national chains and mom and pop health clubs, you can get better rates by simply asking for an additional month or not to have to pay extra fees, such as the initiation charges or annual charges associated with a membership (more noted on memberships offered by the likes of LA Fitness or Planet Fitness).

As much as you hit January running with thoughts of working out at a health club or gym, make sure you look for a place with month to month options, so you’re not too quick to lock yourself into a membership that is useless by March (provided you stop going).

Average gym traffic is up about 40 percent in January, but the nearly 70 percent of new members never actually use the membership whatsoever.^[5]

Bundled Upward: Why You Should Buy all things Winter Clothing

The cold, frigid and blustery weather still exists in January, but that doesn’t mean retailers aren’t eyeing up spring clothing and fashion a bit early for their displays. Fashion and clothing in general is more about the pending than the present, so you should start seeing some massive discounts on winter clothing after the holidays (and clothing in general).

Retailers are already feeling the need and pressure to start thinking short sleeves and shorts to make room for them and start unloading winter jackets, outwear in general, hats, gloves and anything cold-weather related.

January is the best time to buy winter clothing, period.

The real savings are mostly on winter coats and outwear in general. The overall thought process as seen by the retailers is that the general public already have their winter coats for the season, so whatever is in their retail show room of sorts is pretty much what they’re going to get stuck with until spring. Winter jackets get priced to move, hoping that someone will spot a jacket and buy just for the sake of having a second winter coat, and can justify since it’s so affordable.

You can see winter coat deals for as much as 80 percent off, and usually the bigger the retailer the more favorable the discount, too.^[6]

One retailer that often is pointed to as the epitome of discounting clothing and winter apparel is Macy’s. They’re aggressive with both marketing, specific one-day sales and coupons flowing faster than egg nog in December.

In addition, don’t necessarily assume that the higher end brands also aren’t on this January discount kick, either. Looking back to 2015, brands like Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger took nearly 50 percent off outwear and coats.^[7]

And while January is the best time to buy clothing, consider that clothing also has days of the week (in January) where you’ll want to be specific on exactly what you’re buying. For example, you can save about 40 percent on men’s clothing on Tuesday, while Monday’s are better served for women (about 50 percent.) If you want to know the best time to buy outerwear: the weekend. Saturday produces discounts near or just above 50 percent off.^[8]

Super Billed: Why You Should Buy all things TV’s

The Super Bowl is arguably the biggest day in American sports, and most red-blooded fans of the National Football League are going to tell you that you can expect a light’s out Super Bowl party as a result.

Nearly half of the population will either be attending or hosting a Super Bowl party, so if you’re the one throwing this shindig, chances are you’ll be wanting to host in style with the best possible television you can find. Even if you’re planning on not watching the game (the other 50 percent), you still might want to upgrade your current viewing situation.

That’s why January and flat-screen, high definition, smart and stunning televisions go hand in hand with one another.

You can expect to save about 30 percent on average on flat-screen TV’s and about $200 per set on average.^[9]

Just last year, Best Buy (easily the biggest mover and shaker among electronics aside from Amazon), discounted a 40 inch Ultra High Definition TV from Samsung to $650, down from the $899.99 suggested retail price.^[10], and you can expect more of the same in 2018 when January hits and TV’s are at an all-time low price wise.

Again, retailers are adept at understanding that the long lines that defined December, be it Black Friday or any shopping day in preparation for the holidays are long gone come January, so they’ll effectively slash prices and spin it for the pending “big game.”

The factor at play is when the new, latest models of televisions hit the stores, usually around March. Much like the aforementioned winter clothing and making room for spring, retailers like Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Target realize just how important it is to discount and start planning ahead for what’s on the way, product wise.

Sitting Pretty: Why You Should Buy All Things Furniture

Big-ticket items might be ones to shy away from in January, given that you may have spent (or overspent) this holiday season. You’d assume that furniture would be completely off the January shopping list, mostly due to the expensive nature of couches, sofas, love seats, dining sets and other related items.

That couldn’t be further from the truth.

January is a fantastic time to buy furniture, mostly due to an influx of new models heading into stores the following month (February).

Furniture is always a unique item in the sense that the markup is always highly questioned. The markup on furniture is typically a ghastly 80 percent, so you certainly have room to negotiate and move on price.^[11]

In some circles, that markup can be between 200 and 400 percent.^[12]

Despite that huge markup, you’ll be lucky to get discounts on furniture other than a few dollars or percentage off, but January is a totally different animals. On average, you’ll, at most save 10 percent on furniture, but the first month of the new year puts the discounts at more around 20 to 25 percent or more.^[13]

The “or more” part really centers on those retailers who understand that a whole new shipment and line of furniture pieces are on their way, so they certainly can increase that discounted amount. Remember, with furniture, that price is always negotiable, much like you’d haggle over a car and other, more expensive items.

And don’t forget about the floor models, too. Floor models typically are of great intrigue and interest for most, too, since they’ll be priced to move up to 10 to 15 percent off whatever the total is at the moment.

Because those individuals who sell furniture receive commission on what they sell, they always like a full-price buyer, but in January, they’ll be more inclined to move as much as they can, and make up a lower commission in volume of sales achieved.

You always want to stay on the lookout for items that have been damaged in some way, nicked or have scratches. Sure, you don’t really want those pieces in your home, per say, but January’s always tempting discounts are only added to when you consider you can save about 50 percent off items deemed “damaged,” on top of what already is being offered in the way of discounts.^[14]

Again, it’s all about turnover and making room for the new in February.

The words “January” and “spending” really don’t seem to belong in the same sentence. You’re digging out of debt or trying to find ways to save, and then you’re being told that the month after the holiday hustle and bustle is a prime time to spend money.

Yes, it sounds a little bit off, but in the end, you’ll be glad you essentially took advantage of discounts that won’t be there to this degree any other time of the year. This isn’t about buying just for the sake of doing so or allowing “wants” to supersede “needs” (almost always a flaw of most budgets).

The goal of saving, truthfully, is to avoid buying something just because it’s on sale. This centers more on products that, if the need presents itself, would actually center on saving money in the process.