Hi, (not you?) | Member Center | Sign Out

Listen weekdays from 1-3pm ET
(No audio? Try our help)
Recent shows | More media
Listen Live: Mon-Fri 1-3pm ET
Posted: 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012
Money-Saving Moment
By Clark Howard
Now that Black Friday and Cyber Monday are over, it's still possible to get great deals if you just let the calendar be your guide.
Retailers typically do 40% or more of all their annual sales during the Christmas shopping selling season. But the deals they offer are concentrated heavily at two times -- early in the season and then much later on.
So don't fall for the ploy where you see stores promoting sales that are actually non-sales! In general, the deals won't pick back up again until mid-December.
Clothing won't go on sale again until between Dec. 10 and 15. December 17 is a key date, particularly for seasonal goods. That includes women's robes, men's belts, wallets -- basically anything you buy where you're clueless about what to buy that person!
With electronics, the great deals are pretty much already in the bag, though you may see additional steals with a big push around Dec. 14 and 17 that may come with free shipping in time for Christmas delivery.
And then what about the week between Christmas and New Year's Day? It used to be a deal, but now it's frightfully expensive because of the popularity of gift cards.
People want to do their returns and spend their gift cards while they're out shopping that week. Plus, you have people off from school and work who are hitting the stores. So that is a lousy week for deals.
When the calendar flips, you have another opportunity for real markdown bargains that starts Jan. 7. Anything left at that point will be deeply discounted until they can clear it off the shelf.
Meanwhile, Savings.com has compiled a helpful infographic if you want to drill down to type of deal for the exact day during the holiday season.
© 2013 Cox Media Group. By using this website,
you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices
.
Already have an account? Sign In
{* #registrationForm *} {* traditionalRegistration_displayName *} {* traditionalRegistration_emailAddress *} {* traditionalRegistration_password *} {* traditionalRegistration_passwordConfirm *}Already have an account? Sign In
{* #registrationFormBlank *} {* registration_firstName *} {* registration_lastName *} {* traditionalRegistration_displayName *} {* traditionalRegistration_emailAddressBlank *} {* registration_birthday *} {* registration_gender *} {* registration_postalZip *} {* traditionalRegistration_passwordBlank *} {* traditionalRegistration_passwordConfirmBlank *} {* agreeToTerms *}We have sent you a confirmation email. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account.
We look forward to seeing you frequently. Visit us and sign in to update your profile, receive the latest news and keep up to date with mobile alerts.
Don't worry, it happens. We'll send you a link to create a new password.
{* #forgotPasswordForm *} {* forgotPassword_emailAddress *}We have sent you an email with a link to change your password.
We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. Your existing password has not been changed.
To sign in you must verify your email address. Fill out the form below and we'll send you an email to verify.
{* #resendVerificationForm *} {* resendVerification_emailAddress *}Check your email for a link to verify your email address.

You're Almost Done!
Select a display name and password
{* #socialRegistrationForm *} {* socialRegistration_displayName *} {* socialRegistration_emailAddress *} {* traditionalRegistration_password *} {* traditionalRegistration_passwordConfirm *}Tell us about yourself
{* registration_firstName *} {* registration_lastName *} {* registration_postalZip *} {* registration_birthday *} {* registration_gender *} {* agreeToTerms *}