4 Tips For Successful After Christmas Sale Shopping

Shopping post-Christmas deals is an annual tradition for me. However, I’m not usually in the market for holiday décor and gift wrap. I pick plenty of that up at garage sales and thrift stores over the summer. Instead, I’m trying to get things I’ll need in 2013 – like birthday gifts and next winter’s snowboots for 75% off or better. Here’s how I do it:

• Think beyond Christmas. Don’t limit yourself to deals on Christmas lights and holiday décor. Now is the time of year when retailers need to turn over most everything to make room for spring merchandise. Everything from clothes, toys, books and housewares will be marked down over the next few weeks.

• Make a 2013 gift list. Take 10 minutes to list everyone you’ll need to buy gifts for in 2013. Think about birthdays, graduations, anniversaries and holidays like Valentine’s and Mother’s Day. Keeping that list in mind as you shop the clearance racks will help you avoid buying random things that end up at Goodwill because you don’t have anyone to give it to after all.

• Set a spending limit. Most of us will spend what we have, and then some, if we’re not careful. Go into your post-Christmas shopping with a clear boundary of how much you’ll spend and don’t deviate from it. There will always be another sale.

• Keep size info handy. With constantly-growing kids I have a hard time remembering their current shoe and pant size, let alone thinking ahead to what they’ll wear next year. I jot them down on the back of a business card that’s tucked into my wallet. That way I can get nest year’s boots, snow pants, sweaters and other winter items now .

• Use a price compare app. Shop Savvy and Red Laser let you scan a product’s barcode and see its price at area stores and online retailers. It’s a great way to make sure today’s sale is really worthwhile.

Are you the type that shops post-Christmas clearance? If so, what do you hunt for and what are some of the best deals you’ve ever gotten?

• 5 Ways to Save On WiFi While Traveling
• Budget Travel: How to Find Cheap Airfare
• Is Joining a Warehouse Club Worth It?