Money Matters, Simplified.
7 Best Winter Deals
While it’s still snowing outside and you haven’t even recovered from your last month’s holiday shopping fever, there are still a host of winter must-buys that you just cannot miss.
Tue, 01/11/2011 - 16:04 by Gauri Retarekar
If you aren’t too conscious of what colors are going to be ‘in’ in 2011, you might get last year’s old stock for far less. If you are still trying to figure out how to increase savings, brave the winter winds to steal some of the best deals that the season can offer, The Money Times suggests.
What Never to Buy New?
Books Most books don't get read more than once, and if so, they're astonishingly easy to find used at steep discounts, if not absolutely free..
Console Games Buy used, and you'll pay half or less what they cost new. Console games like those for the Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 3 that list for $60 new, for instance, can often be purchased used for $30 or less a year after release.
CDs and DVDs Just like books, even CDs, and DVDs can be bought at half the price online. Also, you can visit Amazon for great deals on DVD's and CD's
Kids’ Toys It's all but impossible to predict which toy will be a hit and which will lie forlorn at the bottom of the toy box. So rather than gamble at full price, go to consignment shops and yard sales for bargains.
From cameras to homes, the next two months seem to be just the time to buy a multitude of items that might feature on your wish-list for the year 2011.
Here is a list of things that cannot get any cheaper than now all through the year. So, either buy them between January and February or be ready to shell out loads of extra money later in the year.
1. Tech Gadgets
Many thanks to the rapidly upgrading technological world. The introduction of new models can be easily translated into the older models getting obsolete faster than ever before.
January and February schedule many event, where we see the launch of newer versions of cameras, e-readers, smartphones etc,. Once these newer avatars have hit the retail outlets the older ones are sure to go on sale!
Grab them unless the latest is what you have been waiting for.
2. Television Sets
It’s generally the same with televisions too. The Consumer Electronic Show ensures that the older models of TVs and other electronics too go on the window marked ‘for sale’.
So, if it’s not a new TV or videogames that you have been eying, January and February is just the time to get one.
If not now you would have to wait until the next Black Friday to get a decent enough discount.
3. From Boats, Motorcycles to Bicycles
The unfavorable weather conditions until March coupled with slick roads are to be blamed for a massive dip in motorcycle and cycle sales throughout the length and width of the United States. It is this slowdown in sales that we wish you make the most of.
Most motorcycle and cycle dealers are eager to keep their sales ticking and this prompts them to offer heavy discounts. It is also the right time to invest in your bike’s inventories, as these are available on sale too.
Those of you who have a boat on their wish-list, this is just the time to invest in the beauty of their choice. Get prepared to buy one at the lowest possible price in one of the boat shows scheduled between this and the next month.
These boat shows are also a great place to buy fishing and swimming equipments. So, go for the plunge now!
4. New Homes
In case of houses too, it is the simple law of demand and supply working to your benefit. A sharp dip in the demand for houses will fetch you a great house at the lowest possible price.
Narrow down your hunt by short listing a few foreclosures too. You might hit a jackpot since this time of the year usually has a plethora to select from.
5. Home Improvements
If it’s a make over that your home requires, make sure you get it done by the 15th of the next month. Until Feb. 15 prices of carpets, furniture as well as upholstery usually remain on the lower side primarily due to lesser demand.
You can also fetch some great bargains from builders and contractors who are practically job less at this time of the year.
Since tax refunds start arriving by the middle of Feb, the sales too are slow until then. That is a major reason why new designs in carpets, upholstery and furniture will start arriving in shops only by the end of February.
The shops would hence be eager to get rid of their old stock before the new one arrives. Don’t hesitate to ask for the price of your choice even if it means far lower than the existing rates.
6. Bath and Bed
Go towel, blanket and bed sheet shopping in January when most linen stores offer sales anywhere between 15 and 60 percent. The ‘white sales’ is also something to look out for.
If you aren’t too conscious of what colors are going to be ‘in’ in 2011, you might get last year’s old stock for far less.
7. Swimming Pools
Yes, swimming pool rates too are season based. The lower demands translate into lower sales and costs, so make sure you get one before spring sets in and all that everybody wishes is a pool to dive in.
The lower pool costs are due to two major factors. One, most companies dealing in pools are eager to sell the older designs before summer, even if it means cutting down on their profits.
And two, swimming pool installers too are ready to do the installation at a much lower price due to the slow business.
Finding swimming pool contractors willing to install pools during the winter months is an incredibly easy task. Similar to the pool manufacturers and suppliers, installers often experience a drastic decrease in the amount of jobs available during the winter.
