Stop Right Now!

No, I’m not about to bust out into a Spice Girls song (although I TOTALLY COULD).  I want you to put down that item, whatever it might be, and back slowly out of the store and toward your computer.  Now, log on and do your research first.  Check to see what you should and should NOT be buying this winter (first quarter of the fiscal year for you business-y types), before you make a decision to purchase.

Look, here, I’ll help.  Below is the list of things not to buy, according to the fine minds at Yahoo Finanace and Kiplingers.com.  You trust their knowledge, right?  Sure you do!

Summer vegetables – this should be fairly obvious.  In harsher vernacular, no shit, Sherlock.  Always buy produce when it is in season for the freshest, best tasting, and best priced food.  Need a fruit fix now?  Try seedless Clementines for a sweet and inexpensive treat.  And if you MUST buy summer stuff, buy it frozen.  Trust me, it will taste better.

Outdoor/Patio items – Seasonal items are always cheapest at the end of the season, not at the start.  And believe it or not, January kicks off the spring season, according to retailers.

Skis and Snowblowers – Although the spring season has technically begun for many retailers, the big ticket winter items are still selling.  So you need to wait a few more months for the TRUE end of the winter season to save on items like winter sporting gear and snowblowers.  The beginning of April will bring the best sale prices.

Computers – You’ll find the best computer prices during back-to-school sales, so if you can, wait until August to buy a new computer.  Can’t wait that long?  Hold off until April, when electronics manufacturers roll out their new products.  That means retailers will discount older models to clear them out to make room for the latest and greatest gear.

Cars – Unfortunately, the best time to buy a car has passed.  You could have gotten up to 9.3% off the sticker price if you had bought your car December 31^st, when dealers are clearing out their inventory.  Now you’ll need to wait Labor Day, according to the folks at Kelley Blue Book.  That’s when dealers start offering generous incentives.

Gym Memberships – The start of the New Year is the peak time for people to flock to the gym, which makes haggling for a lower price fairly difficult.  Gym memberships drop off in the warmer month, when people head outside for their exercise.  You’re better off waiting until June to get a lower monthly rate or your enrollment fee waived.

What should you buy right now?  Big ticket – air conditioners.  You always want to buy heating and cooling systems in their respective off seasons.  Little ticket – digital picture frames.  These usually only sell during the holidays, so stores are trying to clear out their inventory.