Yahoo Finance The Best Purchases to Make in April
April showers might bring May flowers, but this month also brings great deals for shoppers. It's a new season, so consumers have new needs. As the weather changes, different merchandise is coming into stores, and they have to make room for it.
In addition to the seasonal retail transition creating an opportunity to save, the tax deadline in the middle of the month offers sales and freebies for many shoppers as well. Whether or not they are receiving a refund, Tax Day on April 15 is associated with fun savings after filing one's taxes. Consumers can expect to enjoy coupon codes related to Tax Day at many popular online retailers and free items at their favorite restaurants.
Often small businesses get started after Tax Day, and these newly formed organizations require office supplies. Office supply stores tend to offer sales on these items, including office furniture.
Electronics including televisions are also often discounted this time of year. As many of these goods are Japanese, where the fiscal year ends in March, there is opportunity to purchase leftover inventory. Digital cameras are also on discount; just don't expect to buy the latest version for less. Older models of electronics items can be bought at a discount.
With spring weddings and graduations coming up, home items such as kitchen goods are often on sale. Watch for low pricing on cooking products, including gadgets, tools, and pots and pans. Even if you dos not need to purchase them as a wedding gift or graduation gift, you can take advantage of the low pricing for yourself.
As many people are tidying up their closets and getting rid of unneeded items as part of their spring cleaning, many thrift stores and consignment shops find themselves with more inventory than usual this time of the year. Prices are already usually low at these establishments, and now shoppers can enjoy an enhanced selection.
Speaking of spring cleaning, new models of vacuums come out in the summer and many retailers are beginning to make room for them. This means clearing out older inventory by offering lower prices.
As the weather warms up, people dust off their New Year's resolutions related to weight loss by trying to get active again. Many fitness activities such as marathons are also approaching. For these endeavors, shoppers can typically find savings on athletic gear, including sneakers. Gym membership pricing may also be discounted this time of the year as people try to get back in shape.
For outside the gym, everyday clothing will also be on sale this month. Many clothing retailers will offer discounts during their spring sales. Much of the spring merchandise actually came to stores when it was too cold to wear it. Items tend to hit shelves months in advance of the season they are intended to be worn in, so patient shoppers can get a great deal on garments suited for the current weather if they can be flexible with timing.
But there are exceptions to this rule. Spring tends to come and go quickly, sandwiched between winter and summer. The weather that calls for rain jackets, umbrellas and rain boots is short-lived. Because of this, these items will go on sale while there is still time to utilize them. Watch for sales this month.
In addition to everyday items, larger purchases can also yield opportunity to save during April. While March is a popular month to take trips, traveling a bit later can produce lower pricing. Cruises can cost less. Depending on what is included in the cruise price, this type of travel might be a better deal than alternative vacations since the lodging, transit to one or more destinations, entertainment and meals are all bundled together.
Another large purchase that can be timely to buy now is housing. While winter may have had lower pricing, more inventory is now available. Demand will increase over the summer, which can increase pricing. Stay ahead of the market!
From the clothing and objects used every day to the bigger ticket items consumers save up for, April offers an opportunity for smart shoppers to save money.
Jon Lal is the founder of coupons and cash back website BeFrugal.com, which saves shoppers an average of $27 per order thanks to coupons plus an average of 7 percent cash back at more than 3,000 stores.
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