Cashing in on After Christmas Sales by Kim Danger

For shopping fanatics, December 26th marks the best day of the holiday season… the day the real bargains can be found! Knowing where and when to shop as well as what to look for can help make the most out of your shopping experience.

Shop ahead for birthdays… even next Christmas!
Toys, clothing, leather goods, and other great gift items hit the clearance racks in late-December and January. Don't miss out on a great opportunity to start on your birthday and holiday shopping for the coming year. Make a list of all the people you expect to buy gifts for in the upcoming year, and shop accordingly. Remember, it's not a good deal if you don't need it. Try to resist the temptation of getting a good deal and only buy things with a specific purpose in mind.

Look for bargains in out of the way places
Where do you think most shoppers in your area will be? Try to go elsewhere. Some of the best deals on holiday decorations are at home improvement stores, book stores, craft stores, even pharmacies. Since they don't get as much post-holiday traffic as major retailers like Target and Walmart, their selection is often better. Shop for items such as holiday décor, wrapping paper, Christmas lights, and cards.

Think outside of the box when it comes to gift sets
Gift sets can also be purchased ahead for Valentine's Day, Father's Day or other occasions. Don't let the holiday-themed packaging stop you. You can simply take them out of the box and re-package them in a gift bag or basket from the dollar store.

Use creative thinking when considering what to buy. Chocolate can be frozen and used for baking throughout the year. Candles can make nice housewarming or hostess gifts. Lotion or spa sets are great as teacher appreciation gifts.

Look online for insider shopping tips
The best deals are the ones that aren't advertised, so how do you find out about them? Sites like Mommysavers.com will alert members to great online bargains and in-store sales via their discussion forums, where members share their shopping tips and great buys. Visit the What's In Store forum for post-holiday markdown schedules of popular retailers like Target.

Hit the grocery stores
Most people don't think of grocery stores for major clearance items, but they have their share of the sale traffic too. Check their seasonal aisle for bargains. Stock up on the kids' cereals, cookies, and snacks that have holiday packaging. Your children won't know the difference! Fruit baskets, cheese and meat trays, and other pre-packaged items are great to buy if you can eat them up right away. Shop for candy and baking items as well -- just be sure to pay attention to expiration dates. Combine sales with coupons to save even more. During January more coupons are issued than any other time of the year, so a few minutes clicking and printing can pay off more than ever. Visit the coupons.com website to find great coupons and check your Sunday newspaper for even more savings.