What to Buy and What to Skip in February
Are you looking to snag some incredible bargain buys this month? We’ve got you covered! We’ve done the heavy lifting for you, researching the specific household items that get marked down in February, alongside the categories that won’t see steep discounts for months—meaning you’re better off putting those purchases on hold for now.
Here’s your official financial coach’s guide on what to buy and what to skip this February.
BUY: Big-Screen TVs
Whether you’re a diehard football fan gearing up for the big game, or you are a master binger of the latest streaming series and movies, February is a phenomenal time to pick up a fantastic deal on a big-screen TV. Manufacturers tend to introduce their newest models at the beginning of the year, which means retailers drop the prices on current inventory to clear out space. These sales hit their lowest points right around mid-month and often run through the holiday weekend.
SKIP: Premium Florist Delivery Fees
Fresh floral arrangements see a massive price hike in early February due to Valentine’s Day demand. If you want to show your sweetheart how much they mean to you, skip the premium online delivery traps and high-end boutique florist fees, which are marked up heavily this month.
If you do want to buy flowers, bypass the holiday premium by popping into the floral departments at local spots like Sam’s Club, HEB, or Market Street right on the day of your celebration. You’ll get fresh, beautiful blooms at a fraction of the cost!
BUY: Winter Apparel and Gear
In the retail world, winter is already on the way out when the calendar hits February. To make room for incoming spring stock, stores will generously slash prices on cold-weather gear. You can snag unbelievable deals this month, with winter clothing often discounted by as much as 80%!
When my kids were little, I took advantage of this end-of-season clearance cycle every single year. We lived on a very tiny budget, so hunting down these deep clearance deals at Old Navy and other clothing stores really saved our household finances! You can wear the clothes for the remaining chilly weeks or store them away as a head start for next winter.
SKIP: General Electronics and Computers
Aside from televisions, you’ll want to skip pretty much all other major electronic purchases this month. Laptops, smartphones, gaming consoles, and tablets are generally sitting at full retail price right now. Unless you stumble upon a rare refurbished deal, you are better off holding out for summer “Christmas in July” events, Amazon Prime Days, or waiting until the Black Friday sales in November.
BUY: Home Furniture
You can pick up some beautiful new furniture pieces at great prices during holiday weekend sales, which often extend for a week or two mid-month. Be sure to check out prices at several competing stores before splurging on a big-ticket item, since furniture markups vary tremendously between different retailers.
SKIP: Fitness Equipment and Gym Memberships
Fitness equipment and gym memberships are at their absolute lowest prices in January to capture the massive wave of New Year’s resolutions. By February, those introductory promotional offers have largely vanished. You likely won’t see deep discounts on workout gear again until late spring or summer when the weather warms up and people shift their workouts outdoors.
BUY: Tax Software
Tax season is officially in full swing, which means tax software companies are aggressively competing for your business with special introductory rates and bundle discounts. February is the sweet spot to buy your software before prices tick up closer to the April deadline. Best of all, don’t forget that you can access TurboTax discounts directly through our ATFCU mobile app or desktop digital banking platform!
SKIP: Patio and Outdoor Furniture
It is tempting to start upgrading your outdoor living space the moment a hint of warm West Texas sunshine breaks through the winter chill, but February is just the very beginning of the spring retail cycle. Prices on outdoor patio sets and grills are at peak retail right now. If you want the absolute best clearance prices on backyard furniture, hold off until September when stores have to liquidate their inventory to make room for winter stock.
BUY: Jewelry and Statement Pieces
During the second half of February, retail prices on fine and fashion jewelry plummet up to 80% as stores clear out their post-Valentine’s Day overstock. It is the perfect time to score a great deal on a beautiful layered statement necklace, silver-toned textured hoops, or crystal ear climbers.
Stash your bargain-priced jewelry buys away in a closet until Mother’s Day, a fast-approaching birthday, or your anniversary—the recipient doesn’t have to know when you bought it! And if any of my family or friends happen to be reading this blog, please tell Juston to feel free to buy me all the jewelry I want this month!
