Thursday, December 27, 2018

By Barbara Pronin If there’s anything left in your wallet after you sweep up the last of the pine needles, January is the best time to scoop up deals on holiday decorations and on all the winter clothing Santa left behind. But it’s also a good month to look ahead at traveling the country, since the hotel industry typically cuts room rates by up to 20 percent except for the long Martin Luther King Day weekend.

You may want to look for travel deals that include airfare, because Broadway Week in New York (Jan. 16-Feb 4) offers two-for-one tickets for many of the hottest shows.

It’s also a good month to buy furniture, since new styles hit the stores in February and retailers are clearing space now.

If you’re looking to fill your linen cupboards, January traditionally features White Sales offering good buys on linens, bedding and towels.

According to Deal News and NerdWallet, you’ll also find bargains this month on large-screen TVs in anticipation of Super Bowl, or if you’re ready to get off the couch, look for deals on gym memberships and fitness equipment in January.

Right after Christmas, many people are trying to exchange gift cards for something they will actually use, so it’s a good time to buy cards at a discounted rate. They sell for up to 35 percent less than face value, so look at sites like Raise or Cardpool. You can even find some gift cards for practical items like groceries, gas or office supplies - or, if you are the recipient of gift cards you won’t be using, consider selling them.

Finally, January 4 is National Spaghetti Day, believe it or not, and many Italian eateries offer super dinner deals, so check your local paper or your fave Italian restaurant for bargains.

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