The Best Things to Buy in February

While February is one of the shortest months of the year, at only 28 days, it is one of the best months to save money. This year, though, we get an extra day for LEAP year.

Valentine’s Day and President’s Day create opportunities for huge discounts, and some lesser-known holidays can help you find deals, too. Here are some items you should be looking for to shop smart in February and the best things to buy this month.

Oh, and don’t forget: Super Bowl LVIII is Sunday, Feb. 11th, Valentine’s Day is Wednesday, Feb. 14th, and President’s Day is Monday, Feb. 19th, so these weekends are when you’ll find some stellar sales.

1. Mattresses

President’s Day sales cut prices on tons of items, but you’ll find the best deals of the year on mattresses. Buying a bed is a really important purchase, so if you plan to pick out a new one, you should take advantage of the extra time and savings that President’s Day affords you. If you get 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night, you spend 25 to 33% of your life in bed. It’s not just a purchase; it’s an investment, so make sure to do it right.

Depending on the mattress, you could save up to 50% compared to face value. You can save even more if you’re willing to purchase a mattress in a box!

2. Chocolate and Candies

If you wait until the second half of the month, you’ll find all the chocolate and candy you can eat at massively discounted prices. After Valentine’s Day, stores slash prices and keep cutting until the end of the month. If you want to buy chocolates as a Valentine’s Day gift, try to shop early in the month. You’ll find some deals before prices spike in the few days leading up to it. By the end of the month, though, you can find candy that stores are basically giving away, sometimes for as much as 70-80% off!

Extra thrifty tip: If you buy chocolates that aren’t too Valentine’s themed, you can freeze them and save them for as long as you want, even until Halloween!

3. Canned Food

Did you know that February is National Canned Food Month? This means you’ll find awesome deals on canned goods for the entire month! Canned food generally lasts for at least two years and up to 25 years, so now is the perfect time to stock up on anything you need for the future. You can snag full meals, like soups and meats, or canned fruit and veggies to store.

Buying in bulk and storing non-perishable food is one of the best ways to save money in the kitchen, so take advantage of it! Canned food is also great in an emergency since it lasts so long, but you should avoid any damaged cans when shopping.

4. Winter Gear

By February, the worst of winter is usually over, but that doesn’t mean it’s suddenly warm either. There are still a few weeks of nasty winter weather ahead, or months depending on where you live. But stores are looking to rid themselves of winter apparel, meaning you can find awesome discounts on hats, boots, jackets, and more.

Plus, skiing and skating gear are usually marked down, too. Whatever you buy will be useful for the rest of this winter and many winters to come!

5. Flowers

Unlike most items on this list, flowers won’t last you very long after buying them. Still, you can find beautiful flowers much cheaper than average this month. Some major brands like 1800Flowers, offer Valentine’s Day-specific deals on flower arrangements. Currently, the site is offering up to 40 % off flowers and other gifts. If you don’t need a bouquet by Valentine’s Day, you can find major markdowns right after the holiday too.

6. Lobster and Steak

Valentine’s Day is all about lovely, romantic dinners, so stores load up on fine meats like lobster and steak before the holiday. Why not cook up a delicious, medium-rare rib eye steak of a Maine lobster for your sweetheart?

On February 15th, however, any unpurchased food will be heavily discounted. Plus, you can freeze the meat to make it last as long as you need it to. Frozen steaks stay good for about four months, while lobsters can remain frozen for six. Be sure to hit the grocery store that week and stock up on some fine dining materials at bargain prices. You’ll be cooking steaks and lobsters like a champ- bon appetit!

7. Humidifiers

Humidifiers are another popular winter product that tends to lose steam by February, meaning stores slash prices. Humidifiers are beneficial in the winter: they can help raise the humidity level and keep your house warm while limiting allergies and dry skin. But a good humidifier, like the Pure Enrichment® MistAire™ Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier, is worth having year-round, and the benefits extend well past winter. By shopping in February, you can find a major discount on yours!