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Saturday, May 25, 2013

How to Schedule Savings Throughout the Year


It’s no secret that December and January can easily become the most expensive months of the year. Between various holiday get-togethers and celebrations, there’s a seemingly endless list of food and gifts to buy.
Add on travel expenses for those of us who have long-distance family or friends we want to visit, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the dollar signs. We have previously written about spending strategies to help you curb some of these holiday related costs, and today we’re excited to bring you more information on how to save in the coming days and throughout the year.
You've no doubt noticed that stores have begun bombarding potential customers with advertisements for super savings and great deals. Butlike we’ve talked about before, not every “deal” is created equal. Fortunately, several products are consistently cheaper during certain months of the year, and that means- with a little bit of planning- you can save bundles. You can read a comprehensive list of how to get the biggest bang for your buck during each of the month of the year here. In the meantime, we've compiled some of the biggest savings you should watch out for in the coming months.
December
Thanksgiving is over, so forget turkey. Holiday ham is where the savings are this month.  Throw in some warm, buttery dinner rolls and mixed nut and dried fruit hors d’ouevres for a frugal and fabulous dinner party. It’s the holidays, so you can’t skip dessert. If you’re not much of a baker stick with frozen pies and refrigerated cookie dough for the best savings. For all you chefs, baking supplies (e.g., flour, sugar, baker’s chocolate, yeast, sweetened and condensed milk, cooking oil) are also a great value, so feel free to create your own masterpiece without going over budget. According to About.com, December is also a great time to buy winter coats, aluminum foil, gift cards, and carpeting and flooring. One last December super saver that we can’t resist sharing with you: motorcycles. Why? Well, your guess is as good as ours.
January
December doesn't get all the glory. Chocolate lovers should put a star on January’s calendar page. Be on the lookout for clearance prices on Christmas and Hanukkah sweets. If you overdo it, don’t worry: diet foods and exercise equipment are also a good deal this month.  Other places to look for great value are toys, linens, winter clothes, electronics, air conditioners, sneakers, and holiday decorations.
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Image via morguefile