The best (and worst) things to buy in January 2019

What to buy (and not buy) in January 2019 (Photo: Getty Images)
What to buy (and not buy) in January 2019 (Photo: Getty Images)

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Happy New Year! You’ve survived the holiday season. And although you might be feeling the shopping hangover, retailers are making it hard to resist a good deal.

With the new year comes big savings in many (but not all) categories. So, what should you buy — and not buy — in January? Below are our tips and shopping picks for putting those gift cards to good use all month long.

Holiday decor

It’s no secret that the period after Christmas is the best time to stock up on marked-down holiday decor. And starting on Jan. 1, you can take advantage of even bigger reductions and clearance pricing on artificial trees, ornaments and fancy wrapping paper.

Christmas Tree w/ Solid Metal Legs (Photo: Walmart)
Christmas Tree w/ Solid Metal Legs (Photo: Walmart)

Shop it: Balsam Hill Berkshire Mountain Fir Prelit Artificial Christmas Tree, $249 (was $499), amazon.com

Best retailers for January holiday decor deals:

Walmart
Lowe’s
Home Depot
Christmas Tree Shops
Kmart

Winter Coats and Accessories
32 Degrees Packable Hooded Puffer Coat. (Photo: Macy’s)
32 Degrees Packable Hooded Puffer Coat. (Photo: Macy’s)

Is your favorite parka on its last thread? Or maybe you want to finally splurge on that top-rated packable puffer jacket you’ve wanted all season. Either way, winter coats—plus jackets, boots and more — get the sale treatment this month.

Shop it: 32 Degrees Packable Hooded Puffer Coat, $50 (was $100), macys.com

Best retailers for January winter clothing deals:

Neiman Marcus Last Call
Amazon
Macy’s
Neiman Marcus Last Call
Walmart
Kohl’s
Nordstrom

Bedding and linens
LC Lauren Conrad Lila Queen Comforter Set. (Photo: Kohl’s)
LC Lauren Conrad Lila Queen Comforter Set. (Photo: Kohl’s)

Historically known as the month for “white sales,” January is the best time of year to buy discounted linens, from sheets to towels. In the 19th century, to boost sales, department stores marked down linens, which at the time were only available in white. Today, you can take advantage of the savings on comforters, sheets, towels and more to spruce up your linen closet. However, steer clear of purchasing a mattress this month, since those sales tend to be reserved for Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Shop it: LC Lauren Conrad Lila Queen Comforter Set, $140 (was $220), kohls.com

Best retailers for January white sales:

Macy’s
Hayneedle
Serena & Lily
Kohl’s
Target
Kmart

Gym memberships and fitness gear
Black Mountain Products Resistance Band Set. (Photo: Amazon)
Black Mountain Products Resistance Band Set. (Photo: Amazon)

If 2019 is the year you kick off your health and fitness journey, you’ll be pleased to know that gyms and fitness retailers want to help you with that resolution. Expect gyms to waive initiation fees and offer free personal training sessions and discounts on monthly rates.

Not ready to commit to a gym membership or prefer to work out at home? January is the best month to stock up on fitness gear, from dumbbells and running shoes to yoga mats and fitness trackers.

Shop it: Black Mountain Products Resistance Band Set, $17 (was $22), amazon.com

Best retailers for January fitness gear sales:

Amazon
Overstock
Dick’s Sporting Goods

Travel
Score big savings on flights to big cities, like Miami, during January. (Photo: Getty Images)
Score big savings on flights to big cities, like Miami, during January. (Photo: Getty Images)

January happens to fall in the middle of the travel off-season, which is good news for travelers because there are deals to be had. It’s the perfect time to visit big cities like Paris, New York, Chicago, Barcelona and Miami. Expedia and Booking.com are great for booking flights and hotels together to maximize your savings. This month is also the start of cruise-booking season, so be on the lookout for discounts, free excursions, cabin upgrades and more.

Be ready to dust off your favorite suitcase too, because the only downside to taking advantage of travel savings is that luggage isn’t on sale this time of year.

Best sites for January travel deals:

Booking.com
Expedia
TravelZoo
TripAdvisor
Expedia

Electronics and tech
HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 15.6″ 4K Ultra HD Touch-Screen Laptop. (Photo: Best Buy)
HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 15.6″ 4K Ultra HD Touch-Screen Laptop. (Photo: Best Buy)

If you missed out on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, we have good news. As retailers make space for the latest TVs and laptops coming out in 2019, you can score huge savings on a shiny new laptop or television just in time for the Super Bowl. Be on the lookout for those Best Buy and Amazon deals sooner rather than later because they go quick.

Shop it: HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 15.6″ 4K Ultra HD Touch-Screen Laptop, $1,280 (was $1,600), bestbuy.com

Best retailers for January electronics and tech sales:
B&H
Dell
Best Buy
Amazon

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