In the case of February, timing is EVERYTHING! February has several special days, which include the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day and President’s Day. Each of these have specific sales linked to them. This doesn’t always mean that your best deals will actually occur ON those dates, but more likely AROUND or well before those dates.
THE SUPER BOWL:
Even though we stay away from junk food most of the time, during the week before the big game we always buy a bag of Doritos and some Pepsi to eat with our healthy snacks. Yes! Their advertising works. We always know that after seeing a few of the unique Super Bowl ads, which are the reason for many to watch the game, we are going to be wanting a Pepsi and some Doritos. The good thing is that they will be on sale during the week, so we can be prepared, AND the slight lapse in healthy eating is less expensive. You will find all manner of snack type foods including, frozen and delivered pizza, chips, dips, candy, crackers, soft drinks, cheeses and wings, as well as fruit and vegetable trays on sale this week and even for a couple days after.
This is also the second best time of the year (Hint: November is the best time) to get TVs – especially really big ones – 55+ inches. The larger TVs will have the greatest discounts, but you will find good deals on all sizes. So if you’ve been planning on buying a TV you might want to get your best deal before the Super Bowl.
VALENTINE’S DAY:
Valentine’s Day offers start well before the beginning of February and go right up to the 14th. Some of the very best sales are near the first of the month. Buying flowers online is definitely one of the great ways to find your top bargains on flowers. If you can get your flower order in early, you will find special offers that can include free candy and/or vases with your floral purchase. You will also find that online flowers are some of the freshest flowers available, and you can usually set the delivery date. Check out Ebates Coupon Codes and up to 20% cash back for deals from Pro Flowers, 1 800 Flowers, FTD Flowers and others.
Valentine’s gifts, like stuffed animals, candles, perfume and candy are also better priced nearer the start of the month. Sales prices for candy, jewelry and other valentine related merchandise occur during the first two weeks of the month.
Right AFTER Valentine’s day, you’ll find clearance prices on chocolates and other specific Valentine’s merchandise, including Steaks and Seafood. If you are able to wait, you will find that the best prices for Fine Jewelry occur during the summer months.
PRESIDENT’S DAY:
President’s Day weekend always has great sales which include Furniture, Appliances and Winter Clearance Sales. Furniture stores are still working to get rid of specific older models. They may throw in free delivery and set up. You’ll find the best deals on appliance closeouts. And you can often get big $$$ off savings if buying three or more appliances. ASK for these benefits as well as free delivery, set up and removal of your old appliance, if they aren’t advertised. Try and wait for clearance deals for refrigerators until May. If you need to buy an expensive refrigerator now, you might ask for discounts on matching appliances.
President’s Day is also a big weekend for sales on mattresses. Retail stores like Sears and Macy’s are good sources as well as stores that only carry beds and mattresses.
This might be the very best month of the year to get multiple discounts on winter clearance items. Look for additional percent off coupons in your newspaper or with your cell phone, from the retailers you shop.
NON SEASONAL ITEMS:
There are some unexpected items on sale in February – like last year’s Air Conditioners, Lawn Tractors, Boats and Motorcycles – as well as clearance prices any of last year’s patio and outdoor furniture that might still be in stock. There isn’t much interest in them in the snowy North during this time of year, so retailers may be ready to give good deals, which you can store in your garage until you need them.
FOOD:
Canned goods are regularly on sale in February. You may be able to get even better bargains by working with your grocer to purchase them by the case.
You’ll also find a lot of produce available. My favorite fruit/vegetable, the Avocado, is in season. Cuciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussel sprouts are available over much of the US. As are root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, turnips, parsnips and rutabagas. Many greens are also good deals and it still is citrus season with grapefruit, oranges, mandarins, lemons and limes at pretty good prices. Apples, pears and bananas are generally priced well too. For specific produce seasonal to your area, check out the Epicurious Seasonal Ingredient Map.
TRAVEL:
Winter travel to warmer climates is still a great deal in February and you’ll get good airfare rates and hotel rooms before Spring Break erupts in March, and all the good deals are out the window.
Thanks for the heads up!! I’ll make sure steak is on my meal plan for after V Day 😉 I had no clue. Great idea to look for air conditioners during February instead of waiting until they’re in high demand during summer and marked up!
If you have a supermarket that you know marks their meat down, you might want to make a quick check throughout the week after Valentine’s day to find steak marked down. My favorite often does great markdowns on Tuesday mornings, but all meat markets are different.
I love all this information. We live on a tight budget, so I always like to know the best time to buy stuff!
Appreciate the encouragement. It is a blessing to be able to buy what we need for the very best prices.
Wow great tips! And you are so right about the food this week before Superbowl. Bags of chips and such are BOGO right now – I went grocery shopping earlier today and picked up a couple. Then my husband went and did the same times TWO! UGG too much crap in my house now, but oh well. The game will be fun 🙂
We have chips in our house for the first time in ages. YUP! Too much junk food, but it only is once a year, and the prices were good. We’ll be watching.
Thanks for the shopping tips, we eat pretty seasonally but I never think too much about things like jewelry and tv’s having a season.
I know. It really is a science. I’m kinda hooked on figuring it out!
Thanks for the information. I want furniture. I will have to go shopping on President’s Day.
Most of the furniture sales cover a good portion of the month. With Valentine’s day just a day before President’s day, many of the sales are carrying on for another week or so. Check out the ads in your local newspaper.
I like this monthly calendar of what’s best to buy! Very handy!
Thank you Katerina. Are many of the same things on sale in Greece?
Brilliant tips.
thank you! Are you able to use any of these suggestions in Great Britain?
Thanks for the great tips! You are so right about the deals on junk food before the super bowl, we occasionally have soda as a treat and on game day and I was able to pick up a couple of 12 packs at a great price. And, it’s good to know that steak and seafood will be on sale after Valentine’s Day, I will be on the look out for that!
We bought the biggest bag of Doritos ever! The only time this year we will eat them. Be sure and check the mark downs at your local supermarket for the next few days for steak and seafood.
I remember when I was a kid – President’s day always meant “White Sales” and I thought it was very confusing – “They only sell white things?” 😀
How funny!! Now the biggest “white sales” are in January, but you’ll still get some good deals because clearance pricing on all manner of household goods is really big in February as well.
Does furniture include patio furniture, or is their a better month?
Thanks for the all the updates every month!
There may be some patio furniture sales – especially any that are remaining from last summer. Fall is the best time to get patio furniture bargains.
Awesome information! I love reading your blog posts, I always find the best tips for buying, reading, etc. Thanks for listing these!
I sure do appreciate the kind words, Heidy. Glad you find them helpful.
Love your tip for buying furniture after Presidents day. We’ve sold our house and will moving into a larger place. Will need more furniture. I’ll wait for the sales! Thanks so much!
I’ve already seen some great furniture sales, so you may be able to find some super deals right away. Don’t wait too long!!
This info really was helpful, we bought a new mattress and saved quite a bit! Hoping to find a good deal on a refrigerator, too and glad to see now is a great time to find one.
The absolute best time to buy refrigerators actually is a bit later in the year. “Try and wait for clearance deals for refrigerators until May.” Hope this is a help to you.