February is the time to buy…

Certain times of the year are the best times to buy various things based on sales and availability. Here is your tip sheet for this month:

∞ Air conditioners: Demand is low during the cooler weather, so retailers put their A/Cs on sale in December, January and February. However, some stores only carry air conditioners from April to September.

∞ Cameras: Companies release their new camera models in the winter during January and February at their trade shows. So February you can find great discounts on older models. Check for President’s Day sales.

∞ Certain fruits: grapefruit and oranges

∞ Certain vegetables: cauliflower and rhubarb

∞ Furniture: Retailers are trying to make room for new models which will arrive in February and early spring. Look for floor samples that will be sold “as is” for big discounts.

∞ Paint: Stores want to try to lure people to paint during the winter, a season not normally for painting projects.

∞ Video games: The new titles come out during the holidays, so after the holiday season, video games often go on sale. The sales may go from January to March.

∞ Winter coats: Coats and winter clothes began to go on sale in January. Prices will get lower and lower in preparation for spring items. However, selection also will be diminished.

Sources:
– “Buy Ketchup in May and Fly at Noon: A Guide to the Best Time to Buy This, Do That, and Go There” by Mark Di Vincenzo
– “Your Month-to-Month Guide to Shopping Deals” from Real Simple Magazine.