These Are The Best And Worst Things To Buy In January

After all that shopping you likely did in December for the holidays, you may be looking forward to a month without having to whip out your credit card.

But January is an excellent month to bag deals on select items, like winter apparel or fitness equipment.

So before you resign yourself to steering clear of stores all together this month, check out our list of the best and worst things to buy in January, which we compiled after poring over the extensive dealnews archives of sales, coupons, and individual products from years past.

Steep Savings on Christmas Goods

Who cares if it has a Santa Claus on the tin?

Heavily discounted goodies abound this month from Starbucks, Cheryl's, Walmart, Godiva, and more. Start 2013 with something sweet, even if it temporarily interferes with your New Year's resolution to get in shape.

Beyond these sugary goods, decorations too will see strong sales, with discounts of up to 80% off at stores like Lowe's, Home Depot, Kohl's, Pier 1, and more.

Make Way For Furniture

While November sees the highest number of furniture deals of the year, January is a close second.

Several manufacturers will release new styles in February, and retailers will need to clear out old, bulky inventory.

Thus, you'll see some of the most significant price cuts of the year in January and February. Last year, we saw such deals from Sears, Pottery Barn, and Home Depot.

Nearly 400 National Parks, Free of Charge

January 21 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and in celebration, all 398 national parks will feature free entrance all day long.

While a large number of our parks are already free of charge, notable parks that are waiving their fees include several of the most-visited in the country, such as Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Olympic National Park.

You'll save roughly $12 per person if you're arriving by foot or bike, or about $20 to $25 per vehicle. The National Parks Service won't offer another fee-free day until late April.

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