Nearly every budget minded shopper knows that sales are cyclical. This year, I thought it would be fun to have a new monthly installment of posts to share that info! I initially wanted to call it something like “Buy Day Friday” because I like rhyming. Obviously, it’s Wednesday, so I’ll have to rethink that. Why wait, though? Today, we’ll talk about the best things to buy in January to help you save money.
My plan for this post series will be to publish early in the month and always within the first week of each month. That way, you can plan out any big purchases or stocking up you need to do that month. We’ll look at a few different shopping categories together. That way, there’ll be something for everyone!
As always, remember that the best way to save money is to only spend it when you need to. With that in mind, here are some items to keep on your radar that typically run cheaper in January.
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Why Shop Seasonally?
Humans are creatures of habit, and market research knows this. Nearly everything we buy goes on sale in cycles. Some of those cycles are annual or seasonal, while others occur every 12 weeks or so.
If you can learn to identify the pattern, you can take advantage of the savings by stocking up on much needed household items when prices hit rock bottom.
For example, when you buy produce seasonally, you get a better nutritional bang for your buck and help out the planet a little bit while you’re at it.
Other items can save you buckets of cash if you just plan ahead a little bit. Whether it’s a lifestyle upgrade, planning for growth spurts, or getting ahead of next holiday season, if you can identify the sales patterns, you can anticipate your needs and buy ahead rather than getting caught off guard later.
Food Items
These food items are the best things to buy in January to help you fill up the pantry (and the emergency food storage) after the holidays.
- Any type of diet, weight loss, or health food – Marketers know that resolutions are still fresh on everyone’s mind (not you, though, you set goals, right?). Save money on frozen meals, meal replacement bars and shakes, health cereals, vitamins, and supplements your family uses regularly.
- Oatmeal and granola bars – It’s National Oatmeal month! Celebrate with a nice warm bowl of oats or a granola bar on the go.
- Snacks and junk food – The Super Bowl is right around the corner. In January, expect to see markdowns on chips, snacks, and sodas.
- Baking items – In January, you tend to find more sales on baking items, so restock the pantry with all the staples you used up over the last two months.
- Seasonal produce – Alright, so unless you live in a place that’s always warm, not much is in season right now. However, you can usually find good deals on things like citrus fruits, apples, pomegranates, root veggies (think potatoes and carrots), brassicas (cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts), and cold hardy greens (kale, spinach, and hardy lettuces) especially if you live in a state that grows them.
Gadgets
While not all tech and gadgets hit rock bottom right now, here are a few electronics to buy at a discount this month.
- Fitness equipment – Again with the resolutions. If you need to replace fitness gear or you’ve already been going strong for a while, you can snap up workout stuff right now for cheap. Just don’t spend that money in the hope that you use your new treadmill. Normally, I’d mention gym memberships, too. This year, though, I’m not so sure.
- TV’s and sound bars – January sits nestled comfortably between the end of last year and the Super Bowl. That means TV items tend to get marked down in January in one final Super Bowl push before new stock his the sales floor. Wait on laptops, consoles, tablets, and phones, though. Unless you see something pop up, Black Friday or Back to School sales are probably better.
- Air purifiers and humidifiers – For most of us, it’s getting really cold and dry outside. Then there’s the whole global pandemic situation. Between the two, these items are expected to go on sale this month.
Holiday Items
It goes without saying, but just as soon as you’re done fa-la-la-ing, Christmas stuff gets marked down. Remember, though, you can get much more than candy and gift bags on sale!
- Holiday foods – Christmas candy, turkey, ham, and all things peppermint might still be on the clearance rack this month.
- Seasonal decor and gift wrap – If you found you needed a little more pizzaz in your decorations this year, now is the time to grab what you can still find for next year. You can also save on wrapping paper (or skip it altogether and try an eco friendly alternative next year).
- Perfumes and bath products – Before Christmas, store shelves were loaded with gift sets of perfume, body wash, bath salts, and lotions. In January, you can stock up for the rest of the year at a discount. Additionally, resolutions to start or clean up skin care routines mean steep savings.
- Toys – Stores still have Christmas toys left on the shelves, and they need to make room for new products. That means you can grab birthday presents, baby shower gifts, and next year’s presents right now.
Clothing, Jewelry, and Apparel
Next season’s stuff hits the shelf well before spring begins.
- Winter coats and clothing – I know it’s going to be cold for a while. However, in January retailers start making room for new Spring wardrobe items. It’s an especially great time to buy a few things for the kids to grow into next year. (I always buy a little bigger than I think Baby Girl will need. She pretty much always surprises us!)
- Jewelry – All the sparkly pretties that didn’t sell at Christmas get marked down this month. Take advantage if you need Valentine’s Day, birthday, Christmas, or engagement jewelry.
- Accessories – Expect to see sales on everything from hats and mittens to sunglasses as stores make room for new pieces.
General Household Items
January’s usually a good time to replace a variety of general household items. Here are some of the most likely sale items.
- Blankets, bedding, and towels – Out with the old and in with the new. Replace your old bedding with last year’s discounted patterns.
- Rugs and carpets – Pretty much the same as above!
- Storage solutions – “Get organized” is a pretty popular resolution. Just make sure you declutter first! That way you don’t buy extra storage totes you won’t use.
- Large furniture – Grab seating, bed sets, and other large furniture at a discount. Stores need to make room for new pieces and change up their displays on the sales floor.
Other Things to Buy In January
These ideas don’t all fit nicely into other categories, or the category is too small to include.
- Planners, calendars, and bullet journals – A new year means new goals, schedules, and hobbies. If you’re a planner, calendar, or BuJo person, get ready for 2021 at a discount. Great news for bloggers – You can grab a pretty spectacular blog planner and complete toolkit right here!
- Cold and flu season survival items – We’re deep in the throes of cold and flu season now. In January, expect to see sales on tissues and OTC medications.
- Gift cards – You’d be amazed at how many people are looking to get rid of unwanted gift cards they got for Christmas. Buy discounted gift cards from sites like Gift Card Spread or EJ Gift Cards and save up to 25% off the face value of the card. (If you’re one of those people looking to get sell a gift card, you can do that with both companies, too).
- Garden seeds and tools – Seeds and garden equipment don’t necessarily go on sale this month, but here’s what I can say. First, winter is garden planning time. I’ll be talking more about that later this month! Second, EVERYONE ran out of seeds and equipment last spring. In fact, my favorite seed distributor just temporarily closed its site due to massive demand. COVID has everyone in a self sufficient, food secure kind of mood. If you wait until spring to buy your seeds, you might just be out of luck.
Stock Up on the Best Things to Buy in January
Remember, the goal here is to save money. Try to avoid getting too starry-eyed with fresh New Year’s Resolutions. Buy the things you need and that you’ll use.
There’s no harm in saving a buck along the way, though!
I hope this little list helps you out this month. I’m already excited for the next installment in February!
Did I forget anything? What do you always find deals on in January? Let us know in the comments below.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to share this post on your favorite social media, follow us, and subscribe to our newsletter, so you can stay up to date on all the latest updates and events.
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This is a amazing list! I never would have thought to buy many of these things in January. I’m looking forward to learning what to buy in February. Thanks for sharing!
It’s interesting to see what items are best to buy at different times of the year. I often grab some winter items around this time so I don’t have to pay the full price come next year, why pay full price for gloves when I can get them on discount now? I had no idea oatmeal would be cheaper to buy this month, I better buy some more because we go through quite a bit during the winter.