How to Use Offseason Shopping to Your Advantage

Smart shoppers know that buying in the off-season can save you time and money on goods you know you will need when the season arrives.

The key is to shop for items at non-peak times when retailers are more likely to unload old merchandise and there’s not a lot of demand to drive up prices, rather than heading to the stores at the exact same time as everyone else.

Easy Offseason Shopping Strategies

By shopping for Christmas decorations in January and summer clothes in August, these savvy consumers save big and avoid holiday debt. Whether you need new snow boots for what looks like an atypical winter or you just want to save a few dollars, the trick is knowing when to buy specific items and services.

Perhaps the most obvious seasonal trick is to buy holiday cards and decor just after a holiday period when unsold items are put on clearance. Cards, wrapping paper, decorations, and anything else specific to the holiday in question will never go out of style and are perennially useful.

Look for Christmas cards and decorations at the end of December and into January and Halloween decorations at the beginning of November.

Clearance Valentines candy (if not too color or design-specific) can be easily used for Easter, and cheap Fourth of July decorations found in August never become outdated.

When to Shop for Clothes

This shopping strategy also works well for enhancing your wardrobe.

Before buying anything new, make time to clean out your closest of any clothes that have gone out-of-style, no longer fit or are beyond repair. This way it becomes clear what items you will need for the upcoming year and can purchase several months in advance.

With your list of wardrobe needs in hand, pay attention to times when stores switch their inventory from one season to another. These are typically the times when they place their last-season items on deep discount. While many stores offer great online sales on their offseason items, it’s worth noting that some stores have a wider selection at even lower prices at their physical locations, as not all areas will have had the same retail needs.

Pro-Level Shopping Tips

Knowing a particular market is also helpful when shopping for offseason deals. For instance, the Japanese fiscal year ends in March which means that technology manufacturers like Samsung and Sony are eager to get rid of inventory like televisions in April or May. New refrigerator models are historically released in May meaning that most retailers will discount current inventory to make room for incoming new models up to half-off. Big box stores do not typically have room in their warehouses for seasonal items like patio furniture, so look to pick some up at a deep discount in October.

Knowing what the offseason is for whatever item you are looking for can make a big difference in how much you spend. Keeping track of your personal needs and when is the best time to buy an offseason product can pay off with big savings in the long run.

Getting Help with CreditGUARD

If you’re struggling to make your monthly credit card payments, even the mention of shopping can be stressful. If this is you, CreditGUARD can help. With credit counselling and debt management options, our certified credit counselors are ready to help you. Call us today at 800-500-6489.