What to Buy and What to Skip in February

Are you looking to snag some bargain buys this month? We’ve got you covered! We’ve done the legwork so you don’t have to, researching items that get marked down in February, and those that’ll see steep discounts in the coming months so you’re better off putting them on hold for now.

Here’s what to buy and what to skip this February.

Buy: TVs

Whether you’re a diehard football fan or you are a binger of the latest streaming seasons or movies, you can pick up a fantastic deal on big-screen TVs in February. TVs tend to go on sale in the beginning of the year, but it’s not until the middle of February that home entertainment systems see their lowest prices. These sales often continue through President’s Day and may even run until the end of the month.

Skip: Flowers

Flowers might have their big day in the middle of February, but that doesn’t mean fresh blooms are discounted this month. In fact, you’re better off skipping the flowers in February and finding another way to show your sweetheart how much they mean to you.

Buy: Winter gear

In the world of retail, “Old Man Winter” is well on the way out when the calendar hits February. To make room for the spring stock, stores will generously mark down winter gear this month. You can snag a great deal on all kinds of winter stuff in February. Prices on sporting equipment, like skis and snowboards, can be slashed by up to 30%, while winter clothing may be discounted as much as 80%! You’ve still got a nice chunk of winter to enjoy the goods, or you can store them for next year’s cold-weather season. When my kids were little I took advantage of this for every season. We lived on a very tiny budget so finding these deals at Old Navy and other stores really saved us!

Skip: Electronics

Aside from TVs, you’ll want to skip pretty much all major electronic purchases this month. Computers, smartphones, gaming consoles and other electronic items are full price right now. You’re better off purchasing these items during Black Friday sales in November. If you can’t wait that long, you can also pick up great deals on electronics during “Black Friday in July” events.

Buy: Furniture

You can pick up some beautiful new furniture at great prices during Presidents Day sales, which can run for a full week or two. Be sure to check out prices at several stores before splurging on a big-ticket item, since prices on furniture can vary tremendously between retailers.

Skip: Fitness equipment and gym memberships

Fitness equipment and gym memberships are usually at their lowest in January to attract the hordes of people seeking to get fit in the New Year. By February, these markdowns on workout gear and promotional offers on gym memberships are gone – and you likely won’t see them again until the warmer weather sets in and people take their workouts outside.

Buy: Tax software

Tax season is underway, and that means tax software companies are looking to attract customers with super specials on their products. Score a great price on tax software in February to make this tedious task super-easy and smooth. Also, don’t forget you can use TurboTax directly from our online banking platform.

Skip: Patio furniture

It’s tempting to upgrade your outdoor furniture as soon as a hint of warmer weather arrives, but February is only the start of the spring season. Prices will still be high and will only start to see discounts during Memorial Day sale events. For the best deals on outdoor furniture, wait until September, when retailers need to clear out the season’s inventory to make room for next year’s updated selection.

Buy: Jewelry

During the second half of February, prices on jewelry plunge up to 80%. You can snag a great deal on a beautiful ring, bracelet, necklace or pair of earrings during post-holiday sales. Hold onto your bargain-priced jewelry buys until Mother’s Day, your significant other’s birthday or your anniversary. They don’t have to know when you purchased it. And if any of my family or friends read this, please tell Juston to feel free to buy me all the diamonds he wants this month. Or maybe all the diamonds I want, he probably wouldn’t want any.