Best Things to Buy in January

It's a new year and the holiday shopping frenzy has finally ended -- but don't put your wallet away just yet! January is the best month of the year to find bargains on everything that didn't make it off the shelves in time for Christmas. You may be done buying gifts for a while, but it's a great time to treat yourself and get amazing deals in the process. There are just a few thing that aren't great buys this month (we'll explain those, too), but here's where you'll find the best buys in January:



Fitness Equipment

About 112% of Americans made it their New Year's resolution to get in shape this year. If you want to keep that resolution this time, the best way to do it is to have fitness equipment in your home. You don't have to remodel your guest bedroom into a home gym just yet, but at least pick up some hand weights and maybe some new workout gear. All fitness equipment is on sale now, as retailers try to compete for all those resolution dollars.

Hot Prices: LifeSpan Fitness TR100 Compact Treadmill for $499 (you save $200!) | Jillian Michaels Ultimate 12.5 Adjustable Speed Dumbbells for $58 (reg. $99.99) | Horizon Fitness EX-78 Elliptical Trainer for $799.99 (you save $399!) | Omega Triangle Upright Exercise Bike for $180 | Gold's Gym XR45 Home Gym System for $257 | Body Solid Rubber Coated Hex Dumbbells for $4.50 per pound | More in Fitness Equipment


Shop Fitness Equipment under $500:









Calendars


Calendars are a huge gift item over the holidays, but retailers know that if they don't sell their remaining inventory in January, they're not ever going to sell it, and a 2011 calendar can't be reused next year. Most calendars will sell for 50-75% off in early January. Browse a huge selection of calendars, organizers, and planners here.

Hot Prices: Cute Overload Page-A-Day Calendar for $6.49 (50% off!) | Twilight Eclipse 2011 Calendar for $7.49 (50% off!) |
Betty White 2011 Wall Calendar for $6.49 (50% off) | 365 Words-A-Year Page-A-Day Celandar for $6.49 (50% off!)




Televisions

If you missed out on the Black Friday deals on televisions this year, don't sweat it -- you'll find great prices in January, too. Gone are the days when an HDTV cost you a month's pay or more. You'll find great high definition televisions for under $500, and if you want to go bigger, you can find deals on any size TV. Get a new big screen now and show it off with a Super Bowl party in a few weeks.

Hot Prices: Save up to 52% on Toshiba Cinema Series 3H HDTVs | Vizio 32" 720p LCD HDTV for $299.98 (you save $120!) | FREE Playstation 3 and 3D Deluxe Starter Kit with a Qualifying Sony NX810 LED 3D HDTV | Panasonic Viera 42" Plasma TV starting at $499 | Panasonic Viera 58" Plasma TV for $1099.99 | Sony BRAVIA 46" LCD TV for just $763 | More in Televisions


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Bedding


January is traditionally the big sale month for bedding items, making it a great time to treat yourself to a new bedroom look, or just a comfy new set of pillows or soft sheets. It's also a good idea to look ahead to the warm summer months and snatch up a lightweight bedding set while it's on sale now.

Hot Prices: Satin Sheet Set from $16.15 (reg. $49.99) | 1200 Thread Count Queen Down Comforter for $148.99 (you save $501!) | 7pc. Comforter Set from $50.99 (reg. $129.99) | Egyptian Bedding 1500 Thread Count Egyptian Cotton 4-Piece Sheet Set for $100 | Comfort Magic Anti-Snore Memory Foam Pillows set of 2 for $28 | More in Bedding




Jewelry

There are a few major jewelry-buying holidays each year -- Christmas, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day -- but outside these holidays, fine jewelry retailers don't see a whole lot of business. To entice customers in these off-peak times, they mark down their inventories anywhere from 25-75%. If you want to buy someone jewelry for Valentine's Day, shop now, while it's on sale. If you wait until February, demand and prices both skyrocket.

Hot Prices: 12mm Round Shell Pearl Stud Earrings for $9.95 (reg. $49.99) | 8-9mm Freshwater Knotted Pearl Necklace for $20.49 (reg. $179.99) | Sterling Silver & White Sapphire Inside-Outside Hoop Earrings for $23.45 (reg. $98) | 1/4ct Chocolate Champagne Diamond Solitaire Ring for $299 | 10K White Gold 1/10ctw Anniversary Band for $100 | Tiffany & Co Carved Heart Pendant for $90 | More in Jewelry


Shop for Diamonds under $300:









Toys

December is the biggest month to buy toys, but January is the best time to get deals on toys. Stores are overstocked from Christmas and want to unload what's left as fast as they can, which means big bargains for January toy shoppers. Pick up everything that Santa forgot and surprise your kids with these "just because" presents -- the best kind! Find 2010's hottest toys here. Shop now while they're on sale!

Hot Prices: Moxie Magic Hair Stamp 'n' Style Doll for $9.99 (60% off) | Mega Bloks Building Imagination Bag Classic (80pc) for $9.99 (52% off) | Paperoni Magic Movin Pets for $7.07 (68% off) | 50% off select games | Up to 70% off Pop on Pals Toys | Up to 60% off Preschool Toys



What not to buy in January

Gym Memberships -- We mentioned that there are a few things that aren't smart buys this month. You may be surprised that a gym membership tops that list. True, gyms offer lots of deals when you sign up at the New Year, but 95% of the people who sign up for year-long memberships in January will stop coming to the gym at all by February. If you've made a New Year's resolution to work out more, start at home, and if you're still keeping it up after six weeks, then upgrade to that gym membership. For now, start with video games that make exercise fun, like Wii Fit, Your Shape Fitness, and EA Sports Active.

Winter Sports Gear -- With all the snow that's been falling, you're going to get a lot of use out of your ski equipment this season. But January isn't the right time to start replacing things and making upgrades. The deals start coming in March, when the season is winding down, but there's still plenty of snow left for a few more weekend ski getaways.
If you just can't wait, you can find lots of Ride Snowboards on sale starting as low as $250.

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