What to Buy In February

The shortest month has an extra day this year, and some really great bargains thanks to President’s day sales.

Hopefully you purchased your Valentine’s Day jewelry during the sales in December and January because prices are back up for February. If not, don’t despair!

Since many Valentine’s Day gifts are at their most in-demand during the first two weeks of February, the discounts on these items are generally pretty modest. However, that doesn’t mean you should give up and pay full-price; at the very least, you should be able to find a coupon that slashes 20% to 30% off the gift of your choice.

Of the many deals we listed last year, jewelry and flowers were the most dominant category-wise. For jewelry, while most broad coupons and sales will be in that 20% range, sites like Szul, Ashford, Kay Jewelers, BlueNile, and Kohl’s will cut up to 90% off select items. Flowers and gift baskets will see 20% to 50% off from sites like 1-800-Flowers, 1-800-Baskets, FTD, Groupon, and Proflowers.

Presidents’ Day deals arrive early and stay late. In years past, we’ve seen them start as early as February 5, and last through February 22. Mattresses are the classic category to shop during these sales, and last year we saw discounts of up to 60% off at Sears, and up to 50% off with an extra 40% off at US-Mattress.

But other product categories saw an uptick in Presidents’ Day sales for the last two years, with as much as 85% off a wide assortment of apparel, home items, and furniture. Some retailers tend to offer deeper discounts on existing sales, while others will lean towards modest coupons (likely an extra 20% to 30% off) that are applicable store and website wide.

Also look to clothing and department stores for a big Presidents’ Day sale push.
Tax software will still be priced lower than it will in April. TurboTax already had a 50% off sale in January, so it’s likely to return again for eagle-eyed shoppers. Plus it never hurts to get a start on your taxes, right?

Winter clothes are on the clearance racks right now as Spring apparel is being showcased. And the Presidents’ Day Sales will make the discounts even deeper.

And what about televisions?

The beginning of February is Super Bowl season, and  many retailers will have you believe it’s a great time to upgrade your TV. DealNews data shows that most consumers treat it like any other month. Moreover, our deal data indicates that February prices are nowhere near November’s best prices, making February an ordinary month for TV shoppers.

That said, January’s Consumer Electronics Show was bustling with new TVs and technology, so while February isn’t an ideal month for TV deals, it’s still possible to find some good deals if you look in the right places. And now that 4K is becoming the new norm (and even 8K is appearing on the scene), 1080p (Full HD) is becoming the new value option.

DealNews reported that in general, mid-size TVs (in the 40″ to 55″ range) have plateaued in discounts, so they are a decent buy any time. Last month, we saw 40″ 1080p sets for consistently around $250; so look for offbrand sets for $240, and name brand sets for $275. Buying refurbished in either of those categories will further increase discounts. For 55″ sets, the spread is a little wider, with off-brand HDTVs going for $300, and name brands starting at $550.

What not to buy?

Don’t buy a new model cell phone yet. Even though the Consumer Electronics Show was last month, typically the spring is when we see the big Android and Windows flagship models debut. That means, if you’re interested in a new HTC or Samsung phone, for example, you should wait until these manufacturers release their new models, so you can score a deal on the previous generation

And free stuff?

Chipotle has given their managers the ability to give out free food to bring people back into the stores. The exact giveaways will be up to each store’s discretion, allowing managers to create their own campaigns, so you’ll need to go in to find out if your local store is offering it. They are also running a Super Bowl promotion where the first 1,500 catering orders of 20 burritos or more will receive a $50 discount.

And to save money on groceries, buy what’s in season. There’s more than you might think.

• Arugula
• Asparagus
• Artichokes
• Beets
• Bok choy
• Broccoli
• Brussels Sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Carrots
• Celery
• Cilantro
• Clementines
• Dill
• Fennel
• Grapefruit
• Kale
• Lemons
• Lettuce
• Leeks
• Oranges
• Onions
• Parsnips
• Pears
• Shallots
• Sweet Potatoes
• Tangelos
• Tangerines
• Turnips
• Rhubarb

And there are cycles to what’s on sale in your supermarket.
National Canned Food Month: Canned Fruit, Pie Fillings, Vegetables, Meats: Tuna, Chicken, Salmon
National Hot Breakfast Month:  Malt O Meal, Oatmeal, Eggo Waffles, Syrup
Valentines:  Chocolate,  flowers
Chinese New Year: Soy Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce, Noodles, Canned Water Chestnuts
Heart and heart-healthy products (American Heart Month): aspirin, supplements,low cholesterol oils and spreads
Westminster Dog Show February promotions: Dog food from Eukanuba, Pedigree, Purina, and Iams

What do you usually buy in February?