If you’re looking for a great time to get your budget up to speed then there’s no time to save quite like the month of February. Sure, this month is the shortest of the year, which usually means less days of work and due dates creep back up even faster. However, there are some amazing things in the month of February that may actually get you ahead of the game. Not only will you be able to prep your family’s budget for spring, but you’ll also put your household on the right track for the rest of the year. With these ten money saving opportunities and techniques you may even find that the shortest month brings you the largest profit of all!
1. Shop Presidents’ Day Sales
You gotta love the presidents. They helped start a solid foundation for the country and keep it running, no matter what political criticism they receive. Once a year their special day also earns you a day off work as well as a little shopping spree. Presidents’ Day sales pop up everywhere before the holiday begins, which means you get to save more for a lot longer. These sales tend to range from cars to basic household needs, which allows you to get out there and get what you need to get your home running smoothly. Before you go out shopping try to make a bit of a game plan though. Do some research to find out where you can get the best price or who is willing to negotiate the most. You may also try to shop a bit early to beat the crowds. Usually, these sales last a bit longer than the holiday, especially if you’re looking to buy the big ticket items like cars or furniture, so make sure to take your time when purchasing. Just because you’re shopping during the sales period doesn’t mean you’re going to get the best deal out of the store though. Make sure to look up retail value to ensure you’re not just being “sold” a sales price, when it isn’t really a deal at all.
2. Stock Up On Meat
Meat is probably one of the priciest items on your grocery shopping list and often when you’re on a budget you may end up buying the cheapest items possible. However, thanks to Valentine’s Day, you’re probably going to get some amazing deals on your favorite meats. Typically stores will stock up on an assortment of meats, especially high quality steaks and sea food, for all the lovebirds planning to cook a special meal on the holiday. After Valentine’s Day has come and gone the meat gets heavily discounted in order to get it off the shelf before its sell by date expires. The day after Valentine’s Day make sure to get to your local grocery store as soon as possible so you can find the best cuts for the discounted price. You may also want to consider bringing a cooler bag with you so you can get to a few different stores. Of course, waiting even longer will ensure you get an even lower price, but if you live in a heavily populated area acting fast is usually the safest bet. One thing you should keep in mind when shopping for meats in bulk is how long you can store them in the freezer. You don’t want to waste a lot of money on meat you’re not going to be able to eat, so shop accordingly.
3. Get To The Dentist
Not too many people actually enjoy getting to the dentist, but choosing February as your month to go is a very wise choice. For starters, getting to the dentist can save you a fortune in preventive care. Getting a filling or two here and there won’t run you near as much money as going to in for root canals, bridges and having teeth pulled. You’ll be thankful you had the cleaning before any damage was done. February is also National Child’s Dental Month which means you might get a few discounts if you make an appointment for your kids during this month. The more you take your children to the dentist, the less likely they will be afraid to go and the greater the chance they will actually continue on the practice as an adult. Of course, also choosing an appointment in February will set your next routine checkup in August, which gets the job done right before school begins, thus taking less time away from school and work.
4. Check Out Exercise Equipment
New Year’s Resolution still not taking off? This may be your chance to get your body moving without spending a small fortune. During the month of February a lot of treadmills and ellipticals go on sale. Whether you’re shopping online or in your local stores you should be able to save a few hundred dollars on these items. This will allow you to buy the machine you’ve actually been wanting rather than a cheaper model that’s going to have you back on the couch in a couple of weeks. Shopping for these items during February will also give you a chance to cancel your free trial or monthly subscription to your gym. This can put hundreds to thousands back in your pocket each year which adds on to the savings of the February sales. Not to mention, allowing yourself to get healthier will cut down on medical expenses and may even help you kick expensive bad habits like smoking or eating out.
5. Enjoy Produce
February is an outstanding month for anyone that loves shopping in the produce section. In January, winter produce was about all you could get at a decent price, which is okay since there’s some pretty delicious and healthy items that are in season during the winter. Don’t worry, these items aren’t going anywhere nor are their prices, for now anyway. Before the items are gone you should start stocking up on them while they’re still affordable. This may mean canning or freezing them, but it will still help you save money when that piece of fruit you’ve been craving is three times the price during the summer. February is also when some of the early spring items begin to roll in. These items may not be as big as the items you’ll get in March and April, but they’ll be a fantastic price that you shouldn’t miss out on. Again, simply can or freeze these items and your family will be set for a while when it comes to fruit and veggies that haven’t been altered with preservatives.
6. Book Your Spring Break
Have you been dreaming about your spring time escape? Well, now is the perfect time to book it. Spring Break isn’t far away, which means if you haven’t mapped out your plans you should probably get on it, like yesterday. Many people begin planning out their Spring Break before Christmas even rolls around, so February may be your last chance to get caught up. During this time you should be booking your adventure. You may want to start on your flight as this is generally the priciest item on the list. Booking early doesn’t just save you money but helps ensure you won’t get bumped. Hotels are also important to book as rooms fill up quickly, especially when you’re planning to go somewhere popular or warm. Finally, book the events you want to partake in. For instance, if you want to take some scuba diving lessons or want a relaxed afternoon of horseback riding, you should secure the slots as soon as you know you’re going to be there. These activities fill up fast and it would be unfortunate to get to your destination and find out the activities are already booked up or are three times the advertised price.
7. Savor Chocolate
If you love the taste of chocolate then February is one of the top months to enjoy it. Although you may have to wait for half of the month to pass, as soon as Valentine’s Day is over you’ll be ready to get your fill for a fraction of the price. Most stores will toss their Valentine’s Day items straight into clearance as soon as the holiday is over. This means you can get some pretty tasty candy for up to 75% off in some cases. If you like simple chocolates then this could cost you only a few scents of box. Of course, if you have developed a refined taste in chocolate then you may also be able to get some of the top brands for a few dollars. You don’t have to worry about eating it all at once either. Simply stick it in your freezer and you’ll be able to get a delicious flavor for months longer!
8. Budget For Charities
Although you may not feel like it’s saving you money, pulling out a few dollars for charities may save you in the long run. Typically during this period an assortment of children will be knocking on your door asking for money. From Girl and Boy Scouts to school children working on fundraiser money, their puppy dog eyes may guilt you into spending too much on their cookies, candy, popcorn and other snacks. Instead of making several impulse buys, pull out the money you intend to spend on these items and have it ready to go when you hear the doorbell. This will allow you to put in smaller order forms so you won’t spend as much. Not to mention, having cash ready to go makes everyone’s lives a little easier.
9. File Taxes
Even though you don’t technically have to have your taxes in until April it doesn’t hurt to get them in as soon as you can. In fact, getting your taxes in early will ensure you can take care of any filing problems you may have faster. It also means you’ll get your refund sooner, if you’re due one. Getting taxes done earlier also means you can get in with your accountant easier or you can make more time for you to do them yourself. With less stress on the accountant’s end you should be charged less or if you choose to give it a go on your own your fee with be absolutely nothing, which allows you to spend the whole refund where it will benefit your family the most.
10. Turn the Heater Off
It may not be right now, but at some point in February the weather is going to warm up a little bit. This is a great opportunity to turn off the heater and enjoy a smaller gas or electric bill. Although you may not be able to avoid running it at night, keeping it off or set at a more reasonable temperature during the daylight will cut your price down substantially. If you’re having trouble with the change then make sure to layer clothes while you’re inside during the day. Baking is also a great way to warm up the home and will feel your house with delicious smells. Doing this will also help cut down on baking in the summer as you can freeze loaves of breads and other treats you decide to make. Before you know it, those layers will become fewer and you’ll be able to enjoy all the money you saved by simply turning your heat down.
Although February may seem to pass like a blur, the savings you can get during this month will certainly help you out throughout the rest of the year. There’s lots of ways to get your home ready for spring thanks to these savings which will help you feel more refreshed and ready to tackle any budgeting problems that may come your way.
