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Archive for April 3, 2015

April Savings that Won’t Eat Up Your Rainy Day Fund

April is a month that sees a lot more spending than most. Between entertaining the family during spring break and Easter holidays to spring cleaning and stocking up on the last of winter’s produce. It’s no doubt that saving in April does take a bit more work than the other spring months. However, there are some items you may want to spend some money on during this month! Each month a select few items make their way to the sales, so you can save big on items you actually do need around the home. So, if you can, you may want to stop by your local stores to check out some of these items before the prices sky rocket again!
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1. Sneakers
Although a lot of people have already started working on the getting fit New Year’s resolution, April is the month to invest in the sneakers that can help further your physical fitness. With the birds chirping and weather heating up to a beautiful mild level, a lot of people will take to the outdoors to get their workouts. This means, they’re going to need a good pair of shoes to do so! Luckily, you should see your favorite sneaker brands taking a cut in price during this time, which should allow you to stock up on a pair or two to get you through the long months of summer and autumn runs. Of course, workout sneakers aren’t the only items on sale. You may want to take this time to stock up on your kid’s sneakers too. They’ll need them for the rest of the school year and for running and playing in the summer. Children’s athletic shoes should be on sale too, just in time for soccer and baseball season!

2. Cruises
While most people are planning their beach inspired spring break vacation, you should take advantage of the discounts cruise lines are offering. Generally, cruise lines want you to book well in advance, so it makes sense that they’d go on sale in the spring time in order to lure in summer time customers. There’s a wide variety of cruise lines available to you so make sure to shop around so you get exactly what you want for the price you can afford. One of the key things to look for here is package deals as many cruise lines offer these to give customers even more savings. Many include food and entertainment packages which will come in handy if you don’t want to worry about paying extra money while you’re on your vacation. Lots of websites will have deals on cruise lines too, so talk to your travel agent or do some shopping around to make sure you find a perfect match because you won’t see prices like this again until next spring!

3. Kitchenware
If your kitchen is looking a bit bare or could use a few upgrades then April is the time to do it. Most small kitchen accessories as well as pots, pans and bakeware go on sale during the month of April. This is a great time to finally get the smoothie blender you’ve been hoping would get you through the summer as well as any supplies you may be missing for your favorite recipes. Spring is generally when the majority of weddings happen, not to mention graduations which makes these kitchen sales an extra bonus for anyone looking for gifts. Typically high school graduates as well as newlyweds need these types of items to make their home a bit more comfortable as they start out fresh. Better yet, you can easily find many items like baking sheets and cooking utensils at a price that won’t even make you blink. Thus, allowing you an amazing gift for a price that won’t make a dent in your budget.

4. Summer Clothes
I know, we haven’t really embraced spring time yet as, until recently, it’s still been quite chilly in many areas. However, you may want to look ahead of the spring clothing aisle and head straight for the summer display. Summer clothes hit a low in the month of April, which is a great way for you to stock up on clothing for the whole family so you can be ready for the heatwave. Although most clothes that will be on sale are classed as summer clothes they can actually be worn from spring until the autumn, so don’t fret that you’re wasting money or spending too much on the deals. The bright colors seem to flow through the seasons so you won’t have to worry about having to buy all new stuff for spring and autumn. If you’re really looking to get ahead and you’ve found some great deals, then you might want to get a jump start on school shopping too. Choose items a size or two larger to provide for growing room and then put them away until school picks back up again! It’ll save you money when you’re already having to spend a lot on school supplies. Not to mention, you’ll probably find some better deals, especially after Easter.

5. Vacuum Cleaners
Spring cleaning meets allergy season which also means you’re going to need a heavy duty vacuum cleaner to get the job done! You’re in luck because April is known to be the month that vacuum cleaners take a dive in price. This happens for a number of reasons, but largely it’s companies wanting to appeal to spring cleaning! Although most vacuum cleaners will be on sale during this time you may want to plan on splurging. This way you can get the vacuum you want at the price of one that might not be as efficient. Choosing a high quality vacuum cleaner will also save you money in the long run, especially if it’s bagless. By spending the extra money, you may not have to shop for vacuum cleaners next April when they go one sale again. In fact, a good vacuum cleaner should last you up to 10 years which will definitely ensure you get your money’s worth out of it!

6. Jewelry
Valentine’s Day is well behind us but engagement season is here to stay! Thus, jewelry prices aren’t going to be quite as high as they usually are. This can be great if you’re looking to find a few new pieces to add to your collection, but make sure to shop around to ensure your deal is actually a deal and not a company claiming the price is a mark down. Graduates will soon be walking across the stage to get their diploma so you may want to consider purchasing something special for your graduate. Of course, one of the biggest holidays for jewelry is right around the corner. Mother’s Day comes in May and if you tend to procrastination then this year may be your time to shine. Get mom something nice during April that will make her feel special on her big day. We also must consider bride’s in this equation. From April until mid-autumn, weddings are going to be going on all of the time! So, if you’re planning on walking down the aisle any time soon then now is the time to get your accessories!

7. Grills
It may seem like summer is years away, but it’s really not. Try to think a bit ahead of the game and check out some grills this April! They usually make a price drop during this month so stores can get rid of old stock or simply show off their new stock. Buying a grill during April tends to be a pretty wise decision though. For instance, spring time weather is a little unpredictable, right? So, one day it may be snowing and the next may be entirely sunny. Well, what better way to keep your house cooler than to cook outside on the sunny days? Not to mention, grilling can be pretty cheap especially if you plan to have friends and family over. Try to find a grill that suits your needs when you go shopping. With the reduced prices you should be able to get something a bit fancier for the price you’d normally pay for something that’s pretty basic. Of course, make sure you’re getting something you’re going to use as overspending isn’t going to do you any financial favors.

8. Graduation Gifts
It’s probably pretty hard to grasp that soon a new batch of kids will be receiving their diplomas and heading off to college. This is especially true if it’s actually one of your children. So, you probably want to go all out and buy something special for their graduation gift. Don’t wait until their actual graduation to do this. You’re better off shopping for any and all graduation gifts in the month of April. For instance, mini-fridges, cooking supplies, lounging chairs and even school supplies will be on sale during this month. Thus, you can actually get the graduate in your life something that may actually get used from time to time!

9. Home Improvement Supplies
Well, if you’ve already made the rounds for your household, you’ve probably found several things that need repaired or upgraded. This isn’t even to mention all of the home improvement ideas you had while the weather was too bad to go out and do anything. Luckily, April is a great month for picking up anything and everything home improvement related. From lumber to tools you should be able to find some incredible deals at your local hardware or department store. You should also find plenty of kits, such as backyard playgrounds or treehouses, on sale too, which may ease the burden of some of your home improvement skills. This doesn’t mean you have to think entirely outside of the home. There’s plenty of items for indoor repair and improvement on sale too. For instance, it may be a great time to tackle your plumbing problem or to throw on a new coat of paint in the kids’ rooms! Finally, you should also shop the gardening center to get an early start on the supplies your flower bed and other landscaping projects may need.

10. Electronics
A lot of people are getting tax returns back and the deadline for tax season is rapidly approaching. That being said, it’s time for electronics to make their way onto the sales list for April. This is a great time to upgrade your television or add a new one to the home. If you have kids that play videogames this may be a priority before the long summer days approach. Other great items to buy during this season is laptops, tablets and phones. This is especially convenient as recent graduates will need a good laptop and/or tablet to help them work their way through homework, research and essays. You may also want to consider adding a new laptop to the home to help you with work. There’s also been quite a few new phones on the market lately, so if you’re looking to try something new, or your contract is up, then seeking out a new phone is a must in April. You don’t have to think about traditional electronics here either. For instance, remote control cars and helicopters are perfect finds to keep kids busy for a reduced price. Also, radios and other electronic emergency equipment may be a good buy if you’re living somewhere that often has extreme weather.

April may be filled with expenditures, but it’s also a great time to save on some of the items the household needs the most. With these ten tips you should be able to stock up on all of the items your home needs to run happily and efficiently which will help you save even more money as you take on the challenges of the upcoming months.