Best Things to Buy in February — and 5 Things to Skip

February is the shortest month of the year, but it’s always jam-packed with holidays like Presidents’ Day, Valentine’s Day, and the Super Bowl (not exactly a holiday, but one of the most-watched television events in the United States).

Many retailers host February sales based around these holidays — and we’re not just talking Valentine’s Day deals on flowers and heart-shaped chocolates. Savvy shoppers can take advantage of discounts on everything from mattresses to dishwashers to big-screen TVs, though it also helps to know which “deals" are better left on the shelf. With that in mind, here are our picks for the best things to buy — and avoid — in February.

The Best Things to Buy in February

Mattresses

Last month, shoppers were widely advised to avoid buying a mattress, sticking instead to “white sales" on bedding. That patience is paying off as Presidents’ Day sales rolled in and customers could enjoy the first true mattress discounts of the year. Keep an eye out for significant markdowns from specialized retailers like Mattress Firm, Casper, and Nectar, as well as from department stores like Macy’s and Bed Bath & Beyond.

Indoor Furniture

Presidents’ Day sales aren’t just about mattresses; they’re also a great time to snag serious deals on indoor furniture. Look for discounts on dining room sets, dressers, nightstands, bookcases, couches, and more from major retailers like Home Depot and Wayfair. Shop Overstock for great deals on furniture as well, with huge discounts of up to 70% on select items.

Major Appliances

Presidents’ Day is the first major opportunity of the year to score significant discounts on large appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, and refrigerators. Best Buy, Lowe’s, Amazon, and Home Depot are excellent places to start your search. If you don’t take the leap this month, consider holding off until Memorial Day for the next comparable sale.

Laptops, Tablets, and Printers

Presidents’ Day may not compete with Black Friday in terms of the sheer number of discounts available, but it’s still a good time to buy laptops, tablets, and printers. Check out Dell, Acer, Samsung, and other major retail manufacturers for sales on high-performance PCs and monitors, and visit HP for discounts on some of its most popular printers.

5 Things to Skip in February

1. Spring Clothing

Spring clothing demand is at its highest in February. You’ll find better apparel deals if you wait until March when stores offer promotions to make room for summer items. Memorial Day and Easter sales are particularly good times to stock up on colorful new spring getups.

2. iPhones

The latest Apple iPhone is expected to debut sometime in the fall, which means shoppers won’t find any significant discounts on the iPhone 14 until fall. If you insist on upgrading to the latest iPhone, look for trade-in deals through Verizon or AT&T that offer up to $800 back in credits. Keep in mind that most trade-in deals require customers to add a new line and choose an unlimited plan to qualify.

3. Jewelry

Jewelry retailers like Zales and Blue Nile undoubtedly offered promotions that led up to Valentine’s Day. If you didn’t purchase jewelry for the holiday, you might want to wait in order to find a better deal. Spring isn’t the most popular time for new jewelry, and lower demand typically means that prices will decline following the holiday of love.

4. Grills

You may think February is a great time to save money on a grill, but don’t be fooled – the best time to buy is actually closer to the end of summer. Instead, try to wait until Labor Day sales when retailers clear out any remaining inventory to make room for the year’s latest models.

5. Tools

Tools are the cornerstone of most Father’s Day sales — as such, expect to see tool sales surface in the early part of June. Look for other discounts on hand tools and power tools during Black Friday and Christmas sales, when retailers like Ace Hardware offer their lowest store prices of the year.