Let’s be clear, as we near March it means I have college basketball on my brain. I love a good Cinderella story who ends up shattering everyone’s bracket. I also love figuring out where to find the best shopping deals this month based on consumer trends, what coupons we are given at Rather-Be-Shopping, along with March data from years gone by. I have also done the research on stuff that is a terrible purchase in March, many of which may surprise you and go against popular wisdom. The one guarantee I can make is none of these tips will shatter your bracket.

LED HDTV’s

If you were unable to score a deal on a new HDTV right before the Super Bowl, March is a really solid 2nd option for finding a bargain on last year’s model.

Especially from Japanese manufacturers like Sony, Toshiba, Sharp, and Hitachi.

The reason behind this has to do with the Japanese fiscal year ending on March 31st.

Because of this Japanese electronics manufacturers start slashing prices on last year’s models to clear them out before the end of the month making it a great time to score a deal.

Laptop Computers

We have noticed some pretty amazing laptop deals in the last week of February. Look for this to continue through March as well.

Many laptops are being bundled as ‘Tax Time’ specials and offering not only a quality laptop, but also a laptop case and flash drive.

One that caught our eye was the Tax Time Starter Laptop Bundled with Laptop, Case & USB Flash Drive from Walmart which includes your choices of laptop, case, and flash drive.

Laptop brands include Toshiba, HP, and Dell all with a 15.6″ screen with at least 4GB Memory and a 500GB hard drive.

Prices for the bundle starts a very affordable $264.

Smartphones

March is a good month to consider trading in your old cell phone for a new smartphone as the incentives are pretty darn attractive in March.

Many new models debut in January and February which means last generation smartphones will start to see a price reduction and a major reduction if you’re willing to sign a 2-year contract.

Also, if you are an Apple lover, BestBuy has a promotion that gets you a “free $50 Best Buy gift card when you purchase and activate the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus for Verizon Edge, AT&T Next, Sprint Easy Pay or Sprint Leasing.”

Shop Local Thrift Stores

As Americans get busy with Spring cleaning, they bring a ton of unwanted stuff to the local thrift store. Some people’s trash is another person’s treasure.

Hit your local Goodwill or Salvation Army in March and you’ll notice a big up-tick in inventory, much of which is really good quality stuff. Specifically, shop for apparel, home decor, and even gently used furniture.

Luggage

As we’re stuck in the time of year between the Christmas holidays and Spring break, luggage retail sales are quite sluggish and sellers are currently offering some pretty attractive discounts.

For example, eBags.com has their Rockland Luggage 3 Piece Carnival Hardside Spinner Set on sale with free shipping for $149.99 (Regularly $450).

They are currently offering select Samsonite, Delsey, and Travelpro luggage pieces for 67% off the original price.

Winter Gear and Apparel

If you’re in a part of the country still freezing, or need to stock up for next winter, it’s a great time to shop for winter jackets, shirts, scarves, boots, and the like.

Old Navy, Ann Taylor, Lands’ End, and American Eagle are all notorious for slashing the prices on their winter apparel in early March.

If you have kids who outgrow jackets darn near every season it is also a good time to buy a size up and stock up for next year.

Hotel Booking Deals

In the past few days we have been given coupons for hotels stays booked through Priceline.com, Cheap Tickets.com, Travelocity, and Orbitz.

Hotels are looking to book up the summer months now and are offering some nice incentives to prospective travelers.

They range from 5% off via Priceline all the way up to a 20% off coupon code via Orbitz.com and Cheap Tickets.

If you’re considering planning a summer vacation, right now is an excellent time to book your room.

Chocolate Lovers Rejoice

With Valentine’s Day in the rear-view mirror and fading fast, chocolate producers are stuck with a lot of unwanted inventory and are willing to slash prices to get rid of it.

Look to stock up on the cheap until at least mid-March.

Shopping online?

Look under the ‘Sale’ category of most candy/chocolate websites for the best deals.

For example, the sale section at Godiva offers Valentine’s treats that they couldn’t get rid off at full price for up to 60% off the original price.

Vacuum Cleaners

Only real vacuum aficionado would know that new models are released in early Summer every year.

This means that retailers start cleaning out (pun intended) last year’s models starting in March to make room.

Use this knowledge to your advantage if you are in the market for a new dirt sucker.

You can typically get last year’s models for 30-40% less than the original MSRP.

Perfumes

The big months for perfume sales are around Christmas in December and of course Valentine’s Day in February.

So when March 1st hits every year we are inundated with new coupons from online perfume sellers.

This year is no different and includes 20% off at Perfumania, 21% off at FragranceNet, and 15% off w/ free shipping from Perfume.com.

In The Boat or Camper Market?

I was just listening to a local radio station yesterday and the DJ was doing a remote at our local Boat & RV show at the local fairgrounds.

He went on and on talking about all the great boat and camper deals currently available.

Retailers are keenly aware that March is a great time to get people excited about hitting the lakes and campgrounds in a new boat or camping trailer.

So historically they offer attractive deals and sale prices in March. This year is no exception.

Snowboards, Skis, and Snow Toys

As the temperatures start to rise, and the snow starts to melt, the demand for new snowboards, skis, sleds, boots, and the like, drops like an avalanche.

Retailers do not want to store inventory for 8 months if they can avoid it and will start slashing prices to get rid of it.

REI, for example, just emailed me last week and gave me the heads up on their clearance sale offering savings up to 45% off current season skis and snowboards along with a 20% off any 1 item coupon code.

Similarly, Modell’s.com just sent word that their Winter clearance sale has started and when I checked it out I saw deals up to 75% off the original price.

Golf Clubs and Accessories

Warmer weather also means the arrival of this year’s newest and great golf clubs. But those aren’t the ones you’ll want to buy to maximize your savings.

You’ll want to start shopping the clearance deals as retailers start offering some pretty amazing discounts in March. I have personal experience on this one.

Last March I bought myself a new Taylor Made driver in mid-March for 65% off the original price tag.

Who cares if it’s last season’s model as I can duck hook it out of bounds just as well as the 2014 version.

And the 5 Things to Avoid in March…

1. Wood or Pellet Stoves

Wait until the Summer season when the demand tanks and deals are being offered.

2. 4K Televisions

Yes, the prices are still dropping, Amazon.com actually has a 39″ Seiki 4K for $339.99.

But name brand 4K are still quite expensive, especially when you consider the lack of 4K programming. Wait until Black Friday for better deals on name brand 4K Ultra HD TV’s.

3. Frozen Foods

I saw that March is National Frozen Foods Month and many blogs and sites are touting this month as a great time to stock up the freezer with deals.

Whenever a product gets the most publicity (of any kind) it is often the WORST possible time to look for deals. It is simple supply & demand.

Demand goes up due to the increased publicity, and since most sellers aren’t idiots, they’re going to look to make a nice profit and raise their prices accordingly or at the very least NOT offer any sales.

4. Spring Apparel

If you don’t need new spring clothing you’re much better off waiting until June or July to score clearance deals.

Almost all of the coupons we are getting for Spring apparel are for full-priced items only. Avoid full price if you can.

5. Lingerie or Tighty Whities

Does Victoria’s Secret sell tighty whities? Not sure.

In any case, wait until early May to shop for lingerie when Vicky Secret typically starts their online Semi-Annual sale.

By Kyle James