There are at least two big American events this month—one celebrating our nation’s presidents and the other celebrating what can arguably be called our true national pastime—the Super Bowl. Of course, there's also Valentine's Day.
They all have one thing in common: They generate plenty of opportunities for consumers to buy products on deep discount. Most sales will be during the long holiday weekend, but some will extend throughout the month.
If you’ve got shopping to do and want to find good deals this month, here’s what you’ll find on deep discount in February.
Televisions
If you need a new TV, you’ll save an average of 22 percent by shopping the Super Bowl TV sales leading up to Feb. 5, according to Consumer Reports research. The sales aren't the biggest of the year (you'll probably save even more if you wait until Black Friday), but there's nothing like watching the Super Bowl on a big-screen TV if you don't already have one.
Before heading to the store, make sure to research your options so you know what to look for. Our TV buying guide will help you get the most bang for your buck no matter how much or how little you want to spend.
Keep in mind that smaller sets—24-inch to 32-inch models, which you might consider for a bedroom or kitchen—usually don’t do as well in our tests as larger models with more high-end features.
If you want specific advice, consult our TV ratings to make sure you purchase a set that performed well in our lab tests. You can sort by size to find the best performers for the screen you want.
Mattresses
More than one-quarter of Americans have trouble sleeping most nights, and 68 percent struggle to get their beauty sleep at least once per week, according to a recent Consumer Reports survey. Products that are supposed to help us to get a good night's sleep are big business, and even tech companies are coming up with beds and mattresses that aim to help us sleep better.
But when it comes to getting the rest you need, picking the right mattress is essential.
There’s no set rule on when to replace your mattress, but if your current mattress feels saggy or lumpy, or you regularly wake up tired and achy, it might be time to invest in a new one.
When shopping, start out by looking at the least expensive mattresses from a few top brands, and work your way up in cost. Stores keep the priciest models up front, so head to the back of the store first. Our mattress buying guide contains additional shopping tips. We put mattresses through tough tests; see which ones came out on top in our ratings.
Humidifiers
Dry air can be a real drag during the winter, leading to chapped lips, cracked skin, itchy eyes, and sore throats. Humidifiers offer relief by replacing moisture in the air, but it’s important to get the right balance. Too much moisture isn’t great either. A humidistat—if it's accurate—can help you maintain relative humidity between the optimal levels of 30 percent to 50 percent.
You’ll find good deals on a wide selection of humidifiers this month as retailers clear out inventory to make room for warm weather products. If you’re considering buying a new humidifier—or replacing an old one—our buying guide and humidifier ratings can help you understand which models are right for you.
Online Tax Preparation
If you’re owed a tax refund, the earlier you file, the earlier you’ll receive it. But there’s another reason to file sooner rather than later: discounts on tax-filing services. Early bird tax filers will find sales of 30 to 50 percent.
To find the deals, compare tax software prices online. Amazon slashed prices on the most popular DIY tax products by at least 33 percent, and TurboTax has a similar deal if you meet its terms and conditions. Additional rebates and coupons are easy to come by early in the season too, especially if you file during the first two weeks of February.
If you prefer to file in person, H&R Block is offering free Federal 1040EZ if you go to an office in February.
Winter Sports Gear and Clothing
Retailers will continue offering deep discounts on winter sports gear and clothing this month as stores start to fill up with spring merchandise. Many large retailers mark down items on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, so you’ll find the best selection if you hit the stores on a weeknight or early in the day on Saturday. If you’re planning to shop during the three-day weekend, you could save even more by heading to an outlet mall.
If you notice an item you recently bought is now on sale, check with the store to see whether you can get a price adjustment. If the retailer won’t credit you the difference, your credit card company might. Even if you’ve already removed the tags and it’s past the store's time limit for returns, you may be able to get the savings if you used a card with price protection, such as the Citi Double Cash card.
For more ways to maximize your savings throughout the year, check out our calendar of deals to discover the best time to buy the items on your shopping list.
