Cruises

Kiplinger: Things Not to Buy During the Holidays

Cold weather may spark thoughts of cruising through the warm seas of the Caribbean. But you can get the best deal if you wait until "wave season," from January to March, to book a summer cruise, says Jaime Freedman, of TravelZoo, a travel Web site. You’ll find an onslaught of deals as cruise lines compete for customers. Rising airfares have made cruises, with their all-inclusive pricing, increasingly enticing, says Freedman.

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Things Not to Bu... By Anjelica Tan, Reporter, Kiplinger's Personal Finance

The deals on Black Friday, Super Saturday and Cyber Monday, not to mention discounts throughout November and December, are tempting. But some potentially pricey items that may be on a family member’s holiday wish list -- or that you may be thinking of buying for yourself -- are even cheaper if you wait. Here are six items you can score better deals on before or after the holidays.

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Laptops Most new laptop and computer models (and, this year, tablets) are released in October and November, just in time for the holidays. Retailers need to make room for the new inventory and will discount older models in late summer and early fall. If owning the most up-to-date technology isn’t a top priority, then back-to-school season may be a better time to get a deal on a laptop.

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Cameras It would be nice to give your spouse a new camera to take pictures of the kids during the holidays. But you may be able to get a better deal in February. The biggest electronic trade shows of the year happen in January and February, when new models are introduced. By late February, older camera models sell at discounts of 30% or more. Presidents’ Day weekend is an especially good time to find sales.

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Skis You may want a new set of skis in time for a holiday ski trip, but the best deals are in March and April, as the ski season winds down and stores discount models from the past winter, says Stephen Regenold, editor of GearJunkie.com.

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Bicycles The riding season winds down for most people as cold weather arrives, so you may think that bicycles are ripe for discounts. You're right -- if you wait until after the holiday rush. By then, discounts will be steep on older models. Shops are more likely to throw in a few extra free accessories because they are looking for business during the slow winter months. Plus, fewer customers mean you’ll get more personal service.

(Thinkstock)

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QUIZ: Outlet Mall…Deal or No Deal?
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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Cars Forget the notion of waking up on Christmas morning to find a new car in the driveway. Instead, think New Year’s Eve (during business hours, of course) to get the best deal. Car dealers are in the mood to haggle and clear their inventory before year-end to make room for new models and earn manufacturer incentives. TrueCar, which collects automobile data, estimates prices on vehicles nationwide will average 9% below sticker price on December 31. Looking for a used car? Hold off until April for the best deals. It’s the month dealers tend to buy the most at auction, giving you the best selection.

(Thinkstock)

More From Kiplinger:
QUIZ: Outlet Mall…Deal or No Deal?
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The Best and Worst Buys of November

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Cruises Cold weather may spark thoughts of cruising through the warm seas of the Caribbean. But you can get the best deal if you wait until "wave season," from January to March, to book a summer cruise, says Jaime Freedman, of TravelZoo, a travel Web site. You’ll find an onslaught of deals as cruise lines compete for customers. Rising airfares have made cruises, with their all-inclusive pricing, increasingly enticing, says Freedman.

(Thinkstock)

More From Kiplinger:
QUIZ: Outlet Mall…Deal or No Deal?
10 Online Shopping Traps That Catch Even Smart Shoppers
The Best and Worst Buys of November

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
More from Kiplin... Click here to see the other six purchases you should avoid this holiday season.