Cold, Calculated Savings: Items to Buy During Winter

Every December you are bombarded with suggestions (some subtle, some not-so-much) for items to buy for the holidays. But what about items to buy AFTER the holidays? If you can wait a few days or weeks to pick up a few of the below items, you could land yourself some outrageous deals. In fact, if a loved one wants an item on the list below, you might even want to give them a gift card and advise them to pick it up when it goes on sale. That way, they not only get what they want, but they also get more money to spend on other things they want. Jewelry The period between the December holidays and Valentine’s Day is a real doldrums for those in the bling business. In fact, if you are planning on buying your significant other some adornment for Valentine’s Day, the prices in early January could be drastically different from what they will be a month later. Two wheels and a seat Although we don't live in the coldest area of the country, people don't typically think of winter as the best time to ride with the wind in their face. As a result, they tend to not buy their new wheels then. Retailers know this and are desperate to move motorcycles and bicycles after the holidays. If you were planning on getting a set of wheels, look for special sales and other deals in the first part of the year. A house It’s almost an iron-clad guarantee that if there is a otherwise enjoyable or rewarding activity that you really wouldn’t want to do in winter, you can score a deal on it during January or February. That’s goes for buying a home too. Most people don’t want to scrape aside snow to get a closer look at a patio or deck. If you can find a property that has already been on the market for a few months and doesn’t look to be going anytime soon, you might be able to get the seller to accept a lowball offer. Video games Games have become a hugely popular holiday gift request for people of all ages. Since retailers know this, they fill their prices with helium and see how high people will jump to catch them. After the holiday a lot of the price inflation has leaked out and the cost comes back down to earth, perhaps even at the lowest level of the year. Cameras The big electronics trade shows happens in January and February, which means new camera models are unveiled. If you can wait until after these shows are over, you can get a perfectly fine “old” model at a great bargain. Things for next winter Whether it’s holiday decorations or winter clothes, the “Stock-up and Stash” approach can save you a bundle, if you’ve got the room. However, avoid paying $100 per month for a storage locker so you can provide a home for your “deals.”

Courtesy of BALANCE Financial Fitness Program

Getting the Most Out of End-of-Summer Sales

 

As summer vacation comes to a close, many families are prepping for the upcoming school year. With back-to-schools sales around every corner, are there any deals on items other than school supplies? The following list will help you to decide on what to buy now, and what can wait, providing potential savings for you and your family.

Got Paper?
Of course, this is the best time of year to get your kids’ clothes, shoes, backpacks and other items for school, but don’t forget to pick up those office supplies you’ve been meaning to buy for work or home!

 

Get Your Grill On

August is when most large retailers begin to cut major deals on outdoor furniture and grills. Towards the end of the month, you may be able to find prices up to 80-90% off, however, the selection will surely by limited.

Buy Clothes Now For Next Summer

Here on the Gulf Coast, swimwear and flip flops are available year round, but now is the time to buy! As the fall season approaches,  stores begin to place more emphasis on long sleeves and pants, so you can really rack up the end-of-summer savings.

 

Laptop or Tablet?

If your student has been asking (ok, begging) for a new computer, you may finally be able to grant his or her wish! Back-to-school time is perfect for finding deals on electronics. For extra savings, be sure to take advantage of rebates and special student-only discounts.

Tip:
Want to avoid the back-to-school crowds? Many stores offer online deals, as well as in-store pick-up so you can get all of your shopping done from the comfort of home.

Reinventing Holiday Shopping Rules!

Retailers are reinventing the rules on holiday shopping. You should, too!

Follow your favorite retailer business pages on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google Shopping, Yahoo! Local, and Patch.com to find great deals and expanded price-matching opportunities, and gain some creative gift-giving ideas. 

• Review Yelp and Foursquare resources for local retailer and product insight through consumer review. You never know when you'll stumble upon a good tip or deal! 

• Download mobile apps from your favorite brands and keep current on the latest deals that may fit your needs. 

• Shop with retailers who have dropped the layaway account fees charged in prior years. Those small fees can add up if you buy at a range of stores.

•  Take advantage of loyalty shopper offers, which generally include early access to Black  Friday sales deals.

Here's something to consider: Before you start your holiday shopping, crunch the numbers on last year's expenses like; gifts, decorations and even food. This should help you determine about how much you'll need to save for next year! 

Pen Air FCU's  Christmas Club Accounts are the perfect solution to help you build up the savings you need to make your 2014 holidays happy and debt-free! Our Christmas Club Accounts allow you to save all year long and your funds become available in November each year! Visit Penair.org for more information or swing by a branch near you!