What things to buy this January and what to skip

What things to buy this January and what to skip

Exercise equipment and supplies — * BUY, but only if you'll actually USE it, otherwise, * SKIP and begin a free, no equipment exercise program.

January is a huge month for exercise-related sales; and for the bargain hunter, it's also a perfect time for matching coupons. Also, for small, simple gear, like weights, check out department stores, such as Meijer, rather than a store that specializes in exercise gear. The prices are likely to be a bit lower, and coupons are easier to come by.

And, finally, don't ever buy exercise equipment from a television commercial or on any other kind of impulse. I would like to know how many $700 clothing racks are sitting in people's houses just from last January. Instead, always try exercise equipment first, to determine if you love it and if you will use it regularly. Go to a store that specializes in equipment for guidance and to try things out, or even visit a local gym on a free pass. Then, if you're sure you want the home equipment, shop around for the best bargain before committing your cash. You are likely to find bargains on Craigslist.

Gym memberships — * BUY, but only if you'll actually USE it, otherwise, * SKIP and begin a free, no gym, exercise program.

Gyms and clubs want to get people locked into membership contracts while interest is at its peak – always at the beginning of the year. This is both good news and bad news.

They offer various specials and discounts, so if you're serious and will use the membership,  use this to your advantage. But if you're fresh to a new, healthier lifestyle, skip signing a gym membership right now.  Instead, take gyms and fitness centers up on free trials and classes first. Try a bunch to find something you love to do, and that you’ll actually follow through with as a regular part of your life. Otherwise, you'll only create another monthly bill you'll have for the next 6 months or even a year.

Furniture and Linens — *BUY

January traditionally yields a bumper crop of coupons and coupon codes, up to 50% off for linens and furniture. Some can even be used on clearance merchandise. Retailers may also offer free ship-to-store or even free-to-home if you spend enough. Check out Retailmenot.com and individual store websites for deals.

Clothing, shoes and boots, and outerwear — *BUY, and think ahead to next school year, and even gift-giving, to save big on needs later in 2016

Now that the holidays are over, stores are putting a large percentage of their excess inventory on clearance to make room for spring fashions and swimwear. Prices are slashed on items such as coats, shoes, boots, shirts (both long and short-sleeved), fleece-wear, hoodies, pajamas, warm socks, hats, gloves, scarves, and much more. Before checking out, don't neglect to hunt for coupons or coupon codes to save even more.

Healthy foods and diet foods — *BUY, and stock up on anything with long expiration dates

With Americans committing to eat better every January, stores and manufacturers offer sales and coupons for everything from fresh produce to vitamins to protein products. Check out SavingsAngel’s free coupon database, and don’t forget to use rebate apps and extra money-off apps, like Ibotta, Snap by Groupon, SavingStar, and Checkout51.

For produce, particularly watch for: bananas, beets, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, chard, cucumber, grapefruit, kale, kiwi, lemons, lettuces, mushrooms, okra, onions, oranges, pomegranates, potatoes, rhubarb, spinach, squashes, sweet potatoes, tangerines, and turnips.

Tax preparation software — *BUY, but shop around

If you do your taxes yourself, you'll find several styles of software on sale, along with coupons and coupon codes to save even more. Compare prices for both physical software copies and digital downloads.

Windows 10 — *SKIP, at least for now