New year brings new sales

When the holiday shopping rush ends, there are plenty of people who are ready to retire their credit cards for awhile and take a break from the checkout lines. Still, others look forward to the sales that start the new year, eager to get great deals on many different products and services.

There are many deals to be had when January arrives. Smart shoppers may want to wait until the dawn of the new year to get great deals on a wide variety of products.

* Electronics: Although many electronics go on sale for the holiday season, once January arrives there is another round of major discounts on electronics, even high-end items that were not included in holiday sales. New items are unveiled each year at the Consumer Electronics Show in mid-January, and many stores begin to clear out older inventory to make room for the latest offerings in home-theater systems, televisions and the like. These sales are bound to continue into February.

* Furniture: New furniture designs are largely unveiled in February, so come the beginning of the new year homeowners and renters can score good prices on clearance inventory. Those looking to start out the new year with new designs can generally find good prices at the start of the year.

* Last-minute travel: Although the cost of travel, especially trips to warm weather locales, can increase in January, last-minute or fast-acting travel package combinations are often available at low prices this time of year.

* Fitness gear: Many people make resolutions to get in shape; therefore, gyms, spas and manufacturers of fitness equipment may discount their products to take advantage of the trend toward getting in shape after a season of overindulgence.

* Winter apparel: Many post-holiday sales focus on clearing out inventory of winter essentials, like coats, sweaters, hats and gloves. Now may be the time to update your winter wardrobe.

* Christmas treats: Stores are looking to liquidate any items that have a Christmas or holiday motif. The products inside are likely still fresh, and does it really matter if those cookies came in a red-and-green tin?

* Contractors: Many people renovate their homes in the fall right before the holidays. Therefore, contractors and other home renovators may be at a loss for work come January and may discount their services to generate new business.

* New home: The spring and summer are prime seasons for buying a new home. Few people want to brave the elements and look at homes with yards devoid of flowers and shrubbery. But buying a home in the winter may be more financially prudent.

The new year presents new opportunities to save money on items that are deeply discounted or go on sale this time of the year.