Best Things to Buy After the Holidays

While you can find some of the best buys on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, a majority of the jolliest discounts await you during after Christmas sales. The season of giving is also the season of spending. You’re purchasing gifts for friends and loved ones, hoping for the best bargain, but, little do you know, many of the same items tend to be considerably less expensive outside the peak holiday season.

Here are a few items experts say you should purchase after the holidays.

High-End Electronics

If you’re interested in high-end laptops, stereo systems, smart home appliances or fitness trackers, wait until the 2017 models are announced. This way, the 2016 models will hit record low prices, allowing you to get a great deal. Purchase these items in January to take advantage of the reduced prices. If you’re in the market for a big-screen TVs, wait. The best deals come in late January when stores are trying to sell new TVs right before the Super Bowl. On average, the deals on HDTVs 55 inches and larger are 10 percent lower than on Black Friday.

A New Car

The end of the calendar year is generally a good time to buy a car, especially Dec. 31, a day that tends to see the strongest average of discounts.

Exercise Equipment

Every year many shoppers make fitness-related New Year’s resolutions, whether it is to open a gym membership or exercise at home. Sporting goods retailers will typically begin sales right after Christmas on exercise equipment and apparel, hoping to get you motivated, but the discounts don’t really pick up until January. Look for markdowns of 30 to 70 percent on fitness DVDs, treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bikes and complete home gyms.

Calendars

This popular Christmas gift sees drastic sales in January, so wait a bit longer to get yours and you’ll get a better deal.

Furniture

If you’re redecorating your home for the holidays don’t expect to find a good deal on a couch or table and chairs before the holidays. Wait until furniture stores hold clearance sales, as they need to make room for new styles released in February.

Bedding

Considering stocking up during the holidays on everything from comforters to sheets and pillow cases? Well, wait a few weeks longer for better discounts. Take advantage of the white sales in January at big name retailers like Macy’s and Target where savings can add up to as much as 50 percent.