Here’s 10 things you shouldn’t buy in November. With all the early Black Friday “deals” we see advertised, it’s easy to think you can score a discount on everything during the holiday season. Lots of items are discounted right now, but not everything is cheaper. And that’s why it pays to know what’s actually a bargain and what you’re better off waiting to buy later.
Want to treat yourself? With just a few clicks, you can buy pretty much anything you want online and have it delivered to your door in a matter of days, if not hours. Sure, that instant gratification feels good and activates our pleasure centers, but all those impulse purchases can pile up, both financially and physically, and end up stressing you out.
It’s not just the money, it’s all that stuff that we probably don’t need and don’t have room for anyway. So if you want to be more thoughtful about your shopping habits and buy less in general, these tips from finance pros can help. A good place to start is figuring out why you buy things in the first place. “Are you buying something as a reward after a bad day at work, or can’t resist a sale? If so, look for other ways to avoid these situations,” suggests money-saving expert Andrea Woroch.
Unsubscribing from retail newsletters that tempt you to shop may help too. Marchand Bozarth, senior financial specialist at Country Financial, advises writing down the things you’d like to buy to help curb the impulse to actually buy them. Then when you are ready to make a purchase, consult your list and choose one thing to get.
Organize your house and see what you already have. Go through your closets and cabinets before you shop and take inventory. Seeing all the stuff you already have may be so overwhelming, you won’t want to add to it.
November is not the time to purchase certain types of things. Lifehacker says these are the 10 things you shouldn’t buy in November:
Fitness equipment
(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
Sure, you’ll see good deals on some workout gear right now, but some of the best prices happen after the holidays, to help people achieve their New Year’s resolutions. That’s why Consumer Reports recommends January as the best month to buy fitness trackers, scales and home workout equipment.
Space heaters
(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
These are a hot commodity during the holidays, but if you wait until February, you’re more likely to see steep discounts on space heaters.
Winter apparel
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Since it’s in high demand at this time of year, the real savings on winter clothes doesn’t happen until closer to the end of winter weather, when retailers are trying to make room for bathing suits and shorts.
Digital cameras
(Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
During the holiday season, you can find discounts on digital cameras, but the best time to buy is in January. That’s when you’ll find big savings on electronics not sold for the holidays and when new cameras are released, bringing prices down on older models.
Fine jewelry
(Photo by Robert Hradil/Getty Images for Sotheby’s)
Jewelers tend to sell the most between November and February, so if you want to save, wait until after Valentine’s Day. You’ll find better deals on fine jewelry in March, April, and May.
Luggage
(Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
People tend to travel for the holidays and in the summer, so you won’t see as many discounts at those times. If you can wait until the end of summer, you’ll have better luck.
Mattresses
(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
The best time to buy a mattress is in May, during Memorial Day sales, so hold off, if you can.
Refrigerators
(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Washers and dryers
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
You can probably find discounts on washers and dryers during the holidays, but to get the best prices, wait until Labor Day sales in September.
Air purifiers
(Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)
The deals on these happen in March, right before April’s pollen allergies kick in.
