Sales to look for in March -- and items to avoid
Successful bargain hunting is more than what products to buy, and where. It really matters when you make your purchases.
Regina Lewis, AOL consumer adviser, shared on "The Early Show" what you should buy this month -- and what you shouldn't.
So what should you buy? Lewis shared these products:
Frozen foods:
March is National Frozen Foods Month. Look for coupons and special promotions and stock up your freezer with these easy-to-prepare meal options. This should tide Northern U.S. residents over until locally-grown produce begins to hit their shelves in April.
China and flatware:
March represents that sweet spot between Christmas, when people buy china and flatware for their holiday table or as gifts, and the wedding season, when these items show up on many a store wedding registry. Take advantage of this market lull to snap up a bargain.
China up to 40 percent off at Macys.com
Example: Mikasa Dinnerware, Swirl White 20 Piece Set - for the home - Macy's
Reg. $214.50
Was $149.99
Sale $129.99
Flatware 53 percent off with coupon code: HOTLIST at Macys.com
International Silver Flatware, American Bead 53 Piece Set
Reg. $80.00
Sale $49.99 (plus extra 15 percent off with code: HOTLIST)
Extra 15 pecent OFF Home Purchase CODE: HOTLIST
Luggage up to 55 percent off, for instance, here at Kohls.com.
Garden supplies:
The local greenhouse can't wait for those spring days when they are overflowing with eager gardeners, and they begin to build their stock early in anticipation. Look for sales on bulbs and seeds and cultivating tools; the selection will never be better.
Look for garden supplies deals here: Buy-one-get-one-free offers at Kmart and dollar deals at Target
Winter sports gear:
The ice on the pond is all melted, but the skating rink is open year round, so you can take advantage of end-of-season deals on things like skates and hockey gear and still get a lot of use out of them all year long. You'll also find great prices on snow sports gear like skis, snowboards, and all the accessories you need for these activities.
Winter sports gear up to 50 percent off at Amazon.com for savings on hundreds of items.
Skiing passes:
Depending on where you live, the skiing season begins to wind down sometime in March. With it, many resorts begin to offer special deals on downhill fun. Look for bargain packages, including lodging. The higher the elevation or more northern the resort, the later in the calendar year will fall these price breaks.
Spring skiing packages are 50 percent off at Ski.com.
So what should you avoid buying in March?
Spring clothing:
If you go into a store this month, you'll notice lots of new styles on the racks for spring. The weather's better and it feels like time to start building your wardrobe for next season, but if you do it now, you'll pay full price for everything. Keep your jeans and sweaters on, and wait a few more weeks before you stock up on shorts, tank tops, and flip flops. Just when the weather really starts warming up in April is when those items will start to go on sale.
Large appliances:
The blossoming season brings a natural urge to upgrade your home, but now is not the time to replace your appliances if you don't have to. If you can get by with what you've got for now, try to hold off until September or October to buy a new dishwasher, stove, or washing machine. New models come out in the fall, which means the 2010 appliances will go on clearance around that time, and you can save hundreds by buying then.