The Best and Worst Things to Buy in March

The weather in March may be variable, but retailers stick to a seasonal schedule no matter what, and that means savings for smart consumers. March is the time to hit end-of-season sales, fill the larder, and prep for warmer weather. Many February deals may still be in effect, albeit with smaller selections of goods such as winter clothing. And don't expect to find deals on many big-ticket items.

While the last half of February saw a decent selection of discounted chocolate after Valentine's Day, the treats still on the shelves in March will be discounted further -- think 50 percent or more off chocolate with a Valentine's Day theme. Don't expect much choice, though.

March is Frozen Food Month, so manufacturers and grocers pump up promotions on frozen meals and other foodstuffs. Use coupons during supermarket sales to stock up on frozen food. Staples such as frozen vegetables are long-lasting and nutritious building blocks for fast and cheap meals.

March is chock-full of food holidays and deals on popular edibles. In addition to the month-long celebration of frozen food, March 7 is National Cereal Day, March 14 is National Potato Chip Day, and March 23 is National Chip and Dip Day -- all opportunities to find better-than-average savings in the grocery aisles. National Pancake Day also falls on March 7, bringing freebies at restaurants such as IHOP, which usually gives away short stacks of its famous buttermilk pancakes.

Ski and snowboard season is coming to a close, so take advantage of retailers' need to clear out old merchandise and make room for the new. Lower prices on skis, snowboards, and accessories make March a good time to buy this equipment. Ditto for heavy winter duds -- jackets, hats, and sweaters fall deeper into the clearance bin.

It seems counterintuitive, but March is a good time to buy an air conditioner. Unsold inventory from last year must be cleared out for the new models, and really, who needs an air conditioner in March? To drum up demand, retailers are motivated to cut prices. The same logic holds for barbecue grills.

Now that snowbirds have returned and winter travel season is over, it's time to replace that old suitcase. Consumers will find luggage bargains in March, when sales slow and new models roll in during the gap between winter and summer travel. Be on the lookout for deals throughout the month.

Eat healthfully and cheaply by cooking seasonally. Foods to buy in March include nutritious greens such as broccoli, cabbage, spinach, asparagus, and lettuce while winter's bounty of root vegetables such as parsnips, radishes, leeks, and shallots is still available. Artichokes, avocados, peas, lemons, limes, grapefruit, tangerines, and oranges are also plentiful throughout the month. Find everything you need to make a roasted vegetable dish or a colorful salad.

The Mobile World Congress meets at the end of February, and big names such as Samsung and HTC typically launch new handsets around this time. If you're in the market for a new smartphone and willing to settle for an older model, look for discounts as the new models hit the market.

In general, March is not the best time to buy electronics. With the Super Bowl long gone and the holiday rush a distant memory, bargains are scarce on TVs, especially.

Gym memberships are also a bust in March. Gyms are still packed with clients trying to meet their New Year's resolutions while getting ready for bathing suit season. Try to work out at home until summer, when the great outdoors beckons and gyms try to entice people inside.

The vacuum industry is well aware that consumers are raring to start spring cleaning in March. Turns out, the best time to score a vacuum deal is November. Never mind. Spring clean without spending a dime by using common household items that are probably already on hand. And keep an eye out for coupons on cleaning supplies.