Things You Should (and Shouldn't) Buy in February

Valentine's Day dominates store displays in February, but there's a lot more to the month than teddy bears and flowers. It might still be frigid out, but retailers are thinking spring and want to clear out seasonal merchandise. Presidents Day also falls in February, giving many people a three-day weekend and extra time to shop. And don't forget the Super Bowl, which means that big-screen TV you want might just go on sale. Taken together, these trends promise deals galore. (And do get a jump on Valentine's Day with these 50 Cheap Valentine's Day Gifts for Him, Her, and Everyone Else.)

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With Black Friday and Christmas long past, retailers are eager to sell leftover electronics to make room for new gadgets. January's Consumer Electronics Show, during which manufacturers unveil their newest gizmos, can spur some deals on TVs, home theater systems, and other components. GPS systems, digital cameras, and audio equipment also see February discounts.

Look for particularly competitive buys on TVs in the week leading up to the Super Bowl, slated for Feb. 13 this year. As Digital Trends notes, the best buys will be on 4K HDR models since no one wants to watch the big game on your low-fi set, no matter how big the picture.

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Always look for the most competitive electronics prices at mass retailers, including Walmart, and Target — the first two are especially likely to match each other's discounts on popular buys. Best Buy is also worth a look, especially for TVs and more specialized items. And don't forget warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam's Club and BJ's, particularly when it comes to deals on snazzy new TVs ahead of the Super Bowl.

Related: How to Score Going Out of Business Sales at Stores Like Sears and Kmart

New video games are usually released in early winter, just in time for holiday gift giving. By February, though, even the newest and hottest video game titles are usually discounted. So if you've been eyeing popular titles like "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" for the Nintendo Switch or "Madden NFL 22" for the Xbox One and PlayStation 5, now is the time to start looking for sales.

Related: 30 Products That Costco Will Take Back That Are a Pain to Return Anywhere Else

Again, deals on this popular category belong mostly to Walmart, Target, Amazon and Best Buy. And for savings year-round, video games are often easy to score on the cheap if you check eBay, Craigslist or local buy, sell, trade groups on Facebook.

Related: Cool Gifts for Old School Gamers Who Miss the '80s

Presidents Day weekend means big department-store sales. Couple that with end-of-season clearance deals that are already underway, and warm clothing can be snapped up for a song. Shoppers will find loads of discounts on coats, outerwear, gloves, scarves, hats, and sweaters. Cold-weather accessories are especially good buys, because styles don't change much from year to year.

Related: 50 Best Products for Surviving Winter

Department stores like Macy's and Kohl's will have plenty of fat seasonal discounts, particularly as those aforementioned holiday weekend sales roll around, though you may find that selection is getting picked over the longer you wait. Also look for blanket discounts on top of already-on-sale prices at retailers including Gap, Lands' End, and Eddie Bauer. Don't forget about sporting goods retailers such as Dick's and outfitters such as REI — whatever winter clothing they have left will be marked way down as they clear the way for warm-weather replacements.

Related: Stores With Durable, Comfortable Clothes That You Can Wear for Years

As the sweaters and boots disappear from store shelves, swimsuits and sandals will start taking their place. Unless you have to buy for a spring break trip, try to hold off for now. Sales will be mediocre at best until new apparel has been on the shelves for at least a couple of months, so wait until those temperatures really start to warm up and prices thaw, too.

Related: 39 Clothing Brands That Are Still Made in America

February is an excellent month to go mattress shopping. Like Labor Day and Memorial Day — also three-day holiday weekends — Presidents Day offers a great opportunity to jump on mattress deals because couples will have extra time to shop together.

Related: The Best Ikea Mattresses

In this competitive category, you're likely to see the most aggressive discounts at specialty stores like Mattress Firm and regional mattress chains, as well as department stores that sell mattresses like Macy's and Sears. But don't forget about the crowded field of online bed-in-a-box retailers including Casper and Tuft & Needle. While the discounts likely won't be as impressive as they are at the brick-and-mortar stores, keep in mind that these mattresses aren't as marked up to begin with.

Though January's "white sales" are traditionally the best time to score rock-bottom prices in this category, Presidents Day sales also mean some solid deals on bedding, towels, and other linens. Set aside time to shop over the three-day weekend if you're freshening up a bathroom or setting up a guest room. It's also a good time to stock up if you have a student who will be college-bound in the fall.

Related: Turn Your Bed Into the Ultimate Winter Cocoon With These Products

Look for deals at any store that sells sheets, but the best selection (and typically the best discounts) is likely to come from cash-strapped department stores including Macy's and JCPenney. You'll also find good deals from online discounters including Overstock and Wayfair, and specialty stores including Pottery Barn and West Elm.

A big caveat here: Jewelry, perfume, flowers, and all things romance are in high demand ahead of Valentine's Day, so don't expect any deals before Feb. 14. For shoppers who hold out, sales likely will pop up once the holiday has passed and demand plummets.

Related: 50 Cheap Valentine's Day Gifts for Him, Her, and Everyone Else

Big-box stores will immediately and aggressively discount their Valentine's wares after the holiday. For instance, expect Target to start at 50% off non-food gifts and bump up the discounts to 70% and 90% off shortly thereafter. If you have your eye on something sparkly, traditional jewelry stores like Jared will be trying to clear out stock, but department stores like Macy's and Sears will, too.

Related: Best Valentine's Day Gifts From Amazon

Chocoholics can satisfy their cravings on the cheap after Valentine's Day. Look for discounts on high-end chocolates that don't go on sale very often. Shoppers can also raid the candy aisle to find enticing deals on midrange Valentine's Day packages as retailers try to sell off the holiday stash. And don't be afraid to stock up — chocolate lasts for several months when stored in a cool, dry spot.

Related: Best Food Gift Baskets On Amazon

If you're fine satisfying your sweet tooth with mass-market chocolate like Hershey's and its ilk, Walmart and Target should be your first destination for deals after Valentine's Day. In years past, Walmart has discounted candy 50% immediately after the holiday, while Target has started at 30% off and gradually sweetened its deals on whatever continued to sit. Fortunately, those with more discriminating palates should be able to find discounts from higher-end brands like Godiva, too.

Related: We Tried 15 Kinds of Chocolate and These Are the Best

Now isn't the time to buy luggage — unless, of course, you're jetting off soon and have no choice. Wait until next month, when new styles will flood stores just in time for shoppers restocking in advance of spring and summer travel plans. Once that happens, retailers will start clearing out older stock at a nice discount.

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With Tax Day looming, look for discounts on tax-filing software. Sales don't get any better, and prices actually tend to increase as the April deadline draws near, so don't wait too long. Filing early can also avoid a last-minute scramble and bring a much-needed refund sooner.

Related: 11 Cheap or Free Ways to File Your Taxes

Practically every big retailer that dabbles in electronics will be hawking TurboTax and its ilk at a discount. It's unlikely that Amazon will be undercut on the most popular programs, though as of publishing, Costco and Target were matching its pricing. Walmart inked an exclusive with H&R Block and is pushing an extended-download version of its popular deluxe program that allows customers to re-install the program for up to two years after purchase.

Related: Why You Might Not Need a Tax Pro

You might not have seen this one coming, but this might be the month to really commit to Taco Tuesday. Between National Margarita Day (Feb. 22) and National Tortilla Chip Day (Feb. 24), Mexican restaurants will be eager to bring in (or, depending on pandemic guidelines, encourage lots of takeout and delivery orders from) customers who need a short escape from the winter doldrums.

Related: Food Holidays Calendar: When to Find Savings in 2020

While it's hard to guess what might happen this year, drink specials should be available at national chains that are offering indoor dining. Last year, $2.22 could buy you a classic margarita at Bahama Breeze Island Grille, while Chili's offered specialty drinks for a flat $5. As for those chips, some Salsarita's Fresh Mexican Grill locations gave out free chips and salsa for Tortilla Chip Day, while Taco John's offered free orders of Potato Olés, a tater-tot-like chip substitute. Check for additional deals at your favorite local Mexican restaurants, as well as specials on bags of tortilla chips at grocery stores.

Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor

Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with up to three fiduciary financial advisors in your area in five minutes.

Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you're ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.