This is the time to stock up on wrapping paper, cards and decorations for next Christmas. You can often find discounts of up to 75% on these seasonal items.
And, they're called "White Sales" but the linens that usually go on sale in January can be any color at all. So, if you're looking for new sheets, towels or blankets, this is when you'll want to buy them. Look for closeouts and discontinued items for maximum savings.
And while you're sprucing up your home, this is also a good time to shop for furniture and for flooring and carpeting. Many people don't want to take on big home improvement projects in winter, so sellers offer discounts as an incentive.
You've probably seen reports from last week's big Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas. Many of those new gadgets -- especially cameras -- will be hitting stores soon, so retailers are offering deals on last year's models to make room.
And, even though there's plenty of winter ahead, January is when many stores clear out winter gear -- including hats, scarves, coats and even big items like ski equipment.
Finally -- if you got engaged over the holidays, you might want to consider next January for your wedding. It's generally one of the slowest months for affairs and often -- with a bit of negotiating -- you can get catering halls, Dj's, photographers and florists to offer you a discount.
