Forget Black Friday and Cyber Monday — after-Christmas sales can be a bargain shopper’s dream! As many retailers are starting to make room for new merchandise, you can expect to see slashed prices on everything from appliances to winter clothing. But in order to take full advantage, you need to plan ahead! Keep reading for tips on how to make the most of after-Christmas sales! 

How To Make The Most Of After-Christmas Sales

Save Coupons

Just because you receive a coupon offer before Christmas doesn’t always mean you have to use it ASAP! Check the expiration date! You may be able to use it after Christmas, which could mean even more post-holiday discounts. 

Download Shopping Apps, Plug-Ins, and Extensions

Don’t you just hate not having a promo code when you get to the checkout page? Thankfully there are browser plug-ins that can help with that:

• Honey — This FREE browser extension automatically finds and applies coupon codes at checkout with a single click. 
• The Camelizer — Want to get the best deal on Amazon? This extension helps keep a better eye on dynamic pricing. You can even set up price alerts for when prices drop on products.
• Ibotta — This extension rewards you for shopping for necessities like groceries. The mobile app offers cashback both in-store and online at retailers such as Walmart, Walgreens, Target, Aldi, and Costco.

Shop Ahead

Some of us shop ahead for Christmas, so why not shop ahead for other occasions too? Take advantage of after-Christmas sales to shop for birthday gifts, Mother’s Day, anniversaries, etc. Think of stocking stuffers as party favors, red candies/gifts for Valentine’s Day, gift sets that could be repackaged… the sky’s the limit!

Check Out Local Thrift Stores

Many thrift stores receive a lot of year-end donations from people that are either downsizing or grabbing a last-minute tax deduction. Stop in and see what they have! They may also have special end-of-year sales.

Check Open-Box Merchandise

Be sure and check out electronics and clearance sections for open-box merchandise sales. Many stores will re-sell returned items at a discount! And don’t miss out on Amazon Warehouse — this can be a great resource for scoring great deals on everything!  

Look Past The Packaging

Lots of different snacks and foods will have a special packaging for the holidays. Remember that it’s just the packaging that looks dated after Christmas, not the actual food! Look for these items to be marked down after December 25 and stock up! 

Sale Seasons By Item

When shopping for big-ticket items, schedule your shopping around the item’s bargain sale months! 

• Appliances: There are usually new lines in the spring, so you can expect for dealers to try and reduce inventory in the winter months: December and January. 
• Electronics: The International Consumer Electronics Show takes place every January, so many stores are anxious to make room for new merchandise. Look for sales in late December through January.
• Furniture: Shopping for new furniture? You may want to wait way after Christmas for that. Many dealers start marking down prices on furniture around Labor Day Weekend.
• Winter Clothes: Because clothing is such a popular gifting option every holiday season, retailers will drop prices after Christmas to generate more sales. Check for special sales in late December (after Christmas) and early January.
• White Sales: Many retailers will slash prices on sheets, blankets, towels, comforters and more after the holidays. Check your favorite stores for white sales in January. 

Related Article: Most of us have been spending much more time at home this year. So if you haven’t considered cleaning out your closet (or perhaps you’ve been putting it off!), now’s the perfect time to finally tackle this task. Check out some tried-and-true tips on how to clean out your closet, getting organized, and the best websites to sell your clothes.