6 Smart Purchases to Make After Christmas for Maximum Savings

Key Takeaways Taking advantage of post-holiday sales can save you a lot of money. To make the most of the sales, you need to plan ahead, such as by putting together a list of target items. Winter clothing, toys, holiday decorations for next year, and consumer electronics all tend to see a marked drop in price as retailers clear their holiday stock. Waiting out the frenzy of Christmas sales could actually save you a lot of money. We talked to a trio of savvy shoppers to learn which items you should wait until after Christmas to buy to save some cash. Like winter clothing, Christmas decorations don’t move much in price until the big day is over.Nastasic / Getty Images The Importance of Planning Ahead Shopping after Christmas will mean waiting longer for a particular item, but the money you save on that product will make the wait worthwhile. You’ll see a lot of deep discounts on products ranging from electronics to clothing, and just about every other retail item that is updated in the January inventory turnover. You will need to plan ahead to make the most of post-holiday sales. Timing major purchases for after-Christmas sales can yield huge savings if you have a list of target items. “I always tell people that if they have the money and the storage space, shop with the entire next year in mind ,” suggests Josh Elledge of SavingsAngel.com . “Rock-bottom pricing is available on everything from electronics to clothing to jewelry.” The following are six items that you should wait to buy until after Christmas. 1. Winter Clothing When new winter clothing hits the shelves, it is priced at the top of the range and barely works its way down as winter arrives. Carrie Rocha, the founder of the now-defunct Pocket Your Dollars, advises shoppers to plan a year ahead to save on winter clothing. “January and July are the two times of the year when retailers turn over their merchandise for the new season. That makes January a great time to buy next year's winter gear for you and your kids.” 2. Toys and Small Gifts When Christmas is over, retailers are left with an excess stock of cosmetic sets, toys, spa gift baskets, and much more. These items are quickly moved to the clearance bin to make room for regular merchandise again. “I watch for toy clearances at 70% off or more and then buy toys for my kids' birthdays and to keep on hand for the birthdays of cousins and school friends,” says Rocha. “I pick up a supply of adult gifts for unexpected occasions as well. A spa set is a good gift for welcoming new neighbors, returning a kindness, or just saying thank you.” 3. Christmas Decorations Like winter clothing, Christmas decorations don’t budge much in price until the big day is over. “Christmas trees, lights, decor, wrapping paper, and more will all be 50% to 75% off within a few weeks after Christmas," says Crystal...

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