The holiday season has all of us in a shopping frenzy, myself included. I might blog about finding the best deals, and being financially responsible, but I am a procratinator despite all of that. Buying early and evenly throughout the year can put some ease on your budget, and typically helps you find the best deals on your purchases. For the purpose of this article we are going to assume that all of you share my shame procrastination, and I’m going to give you a heads up on the 5 items to stay away from until after the holidays!
Gym Memberships
Let me preface this discussion by saying that you really should hold off on purchasing a gym membership until well after the holiday season is over. Gym’s and fitness centers find they have little need to negotiate or offer deals this time of year. People purchase gym memberships as presents, and then typically come back right after the first of the year for themselves as well. This is the time of the year for gym’s that is equivalent to the lunch rush at your local diner. If you wait until the holiday shopping season is complete, and the New Years resolutions are out of everyones system, you will find the deals you are looking for!
Holiday Decorations
Holiday decorations have the same issue regardless of the holiday…. Halloween decorations are always more expensive in October than the rest of the year, just as Christmas decorations are more expensive in December. If you were one of the fortunate ones to purchase your Christmas decorations last January/February, then you are already one step ahead of the rest of us. My fiance and I are eager to purchase a larger prelit Christmas tree, but since we didn’t think about doing this sooner, the prices are at a peak right now. We can purchase the same tree for half the price if we just wait until the day after Christmas!
Electronics
I was listening to the radio as I was driving to work this week and they had a fun little statistic; About 60% of consumers purchase themselves a Christmas each year. If this is true, and you are part of this 60%, make sure to avoid buying yourself a television or blu-ray player until after the holidays. I am a staunch advocate of purchasing big ticket items online, but even the online retailers have huge mark ups on these items right now. People are frantically purchasing last minute gifts and they are willing to pay a premium for them. As I’ve said before, procrastination can cost you money. Unless it’s an absolute must, avoid these types of items until January.
Winter Clothing
Granted winter clothing is going to be more expensive ALL winter than any other time of the year, however, these items are marked up even higher just before Christmas. Think about the price of Northface jackets, Ugg boots, or any of the other popular winter gear items. Knitted sweaters, ski/snowboard attire, and even gloves and scarves are overpriced this time of year. With our unusually warm weather we have been having, wait until January to purchase discounted gift cards to the clothing store of your desire, and then shop away!
Furniture
Believe it or not, furniture is a hot ticket item this time of year. With families coming by to visit, many people are eager to spruce up their homes, and what better way then with new furniture…well I can think of better and more affordable ways, but not everyone thinks the way I do. Furniture stores are always trying to move out their old inventory in order to make room for the new furniture designs in January. Unfortunately, they are trying to move that old inventory hard enough, since the prices are going to be greatly reduced next month on all the old items they haven’t yet sold.
If you are one of my fellow procrastinators then do yourself a favor and hold off on these these purchases until 2012. In fact, start your Christmas 2012 shopping next month, you will be amazed at how much you can save!
