The winter slog and still-higher-than-you’d-like prices on certain items might make the outlook for February seem gloomy. But experts are becoming a bit more optimistic about inflation. And, as with every month, there’s a new host of smart seasonal buys and retail bright spots.
The 5 Smartest Things to Buy in February
To help you take full advantage of Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day sales (and save money on everything else you buy), we used our internal discount data to calculate average discounts February shoppers can expect in popular categories – and zero in on the Top 5 categories to shop this month.
1. Fragrances (Average Discount: 27% Off)
In the lead-up to Feb. 14, giftable items will dominate store shelves. As soon as the calendar flips to February, expect to see discounts and promo codes specifically for fragrances at beauty stores like Ulta and at department stores.
Even better deals are to be had at the last minute and right after Valentine’s Day, when retailers are scrambling to sell what’s about to become unwanted leftovers. That means perfumes, fragrances and beauty-related gift sets in general will drop in price. Enjoy them yourself, or gift them for other occasions. The beauty departments at stores like Macy’s, Kohl’s and Bloomingdale’s are treasure troves of fragrance and gift set deals right after Valentine’s Day.
2. Tax-Preparation Services and Software (Average Discount: 24% Off)
The IRS started accepting tax returns Jan. 23, so it’s officially off to the races. The filing deadline for 2023 (tax year 2022) is April 18, which will be here before we know it. So start shopping for tax-filing services now.
Filing online with a reputable tax-prep company will be key to saving your sanity and making sure you get the largest refund possible. Most online tax services have add-ons if you need a little extra help.
Luckily, TurboTax, TaxAct, TaxSlayer, H&R Block and more know that tax-filers are shopping around and hunting for deals. Most tax-prep services allow you to import previous years’ returns from their competitors, so you can feel confident in switching providers to snag a good discount.
Tax software deals for February include:
- Save up to an additional $20 when you use TurboTax (through Feb. 20).
- Get 25% off your federal E-file with TaxSlayer with our exclusive promo code.
- Get 30% off tax-filing products with H&R Block (RMN exclusive!).
Retailers like Target and Costco will offer their own deals on TurboTax software as well, if you prefer to use a hard-copy CD version. We’re already seeing $25 off TurboTax Premier from Target, and remember, you’re also getting 1% back on that purchase if you’re a member of Target Circle.
3. Flowers (Average Discount: 20%)
Timing is everything when it comes to finding Valentine’s Day flower deals in February. Early in the month, flower delivery companies will start to entice early-bird shoppers with promo codes to lock in their business. Deals will get a bit more sparse at the last minute and flower delivery companies often charge premiums for holiday and same-day delivery. So place your orders early in the month, both to avoid forgetting about it and to maximize your savings.
Check out our coupon codes for 1-800-Flowers, Proflowers, FTD and Teleflora.
4. Home & Garden (Average Discount: 18%)
Presidents Day, being a three-day weekend (Feb. 18-20), offers great deals on home goods, especially big-ticket home goods.
Expect large appliances to be marked down (especially if you buy a suite of them). In the past, we’ve seen 30% to 40% off appliances (expect the biggest discounts when you buy a suite of appliances from the same brand). Check out deals from Lowe’s, Home Depot and Best Buy.
Mattresses are another smart Presidents Day buy. Expect king-for-a-queen pricing as well as freebies thrown in (like free bed frames and free pillows). For some of the best deals, be sure to check out Overstock, Mattress Firm, Casper and Purple.
5. Fine Jewelry (Average Discount: 17% Off)
Jewelry is another smart buy right after Feb. 14, especially if you like sparkly heart-shaped pieces, and pink or red gems. Valentine’s Day is the last major jewelry gifting event until Mother’s Day, so expect baubles to be priced to sell.
If you are looking for jewelry to give to your beloved on Valentine’s Day, you’ll still find deals in the weeks and days beforehand — and be sure to check out RetailMeNot’s cash back offers at Kay Jewelers, Jared and Pandora. Cash back shopping is especially smart on bigger-ticket items like jewelry, as you’ll get a percentage back of what you spend.
Honorable Mention: TVs (Before the Big Game)
Aside from Black Friday, the weeks leading up to the Big Game (Feb. 12 this year) are one of the best times of the year to buy a TV. Retailers know that the Big Game is a big incentive to upgrade your TV, but that consumers might need that extra push. And that extra push comes in the form of deals. We tend to see some Black Friday-repeat pricing on budget-friendly sets, as well as some tempting prices on higher-quality TVs. So, if you sat out Black Friday, start shopping for TV deals the first couple weeks of February. Check out Target, Walmart and Best Buy for the strongest deals. See the best Big Game TV deals for 2023.
The post 5 Things to Buy in February: Home Goods, Jewelry & More appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
