The 5 Smartest Things to Buy in February 
1. Tax-Preparation Services and Software (Average Discount: 35%)
The IRS started accepting tax returns Jan. 24, so it’s officially off to the races. The filing deadline for 2022 (tax year 2021) is April 18, which will be here before we know it. So start shopping for tax-filing services now.
The IRS is already warning Americans that this tax season will be rife with delay, due to its own staffing issues, as well as the complexities of money received for COVID-19 relief. So, filing online with a reputable tax-prep company will be key to saving your sanity and making sure you get the largest refund possible. Most online tax services have add-ons if you need a little extra help (which will be key this year, when the IRS is already warning that many calls for assistance will go unanswered).
Luckily, TurboTax, TaxAct, TaxSlayer, H&R Block and more know that tax-filers are shopping around and hunting for deals. Most tax-prep services allow you to import previous years’ returns from their competitors, so you can feel confident in switching providers to snag a good discount.
Tax software deals for February include:
Retailers like Target and Costco will offer their own deals on TurboTax software as well, if you prefer to use a hard-copy CD version. We’ve already seen $35 off TurboTax Premier in a recent weekly ad from Target, and remember, you’re also getting 1% back on that purchase if you’re a member of Target Circle.
2. Fragrances and Perfumes (Average Discount: 26%)
In the lead-up to Feb. 14, giftable items will dominate store shelves. But the real deals are to be had at the last minute and right after Valentine’s Day, when retailers are scrambling to sell what’s about to become unwanted leftovers. That means perfumes, fragrances and beauty-related gift sets in general will drop in price. Enjoy them yourself, or gift them for other occasions. The beauty departments at stores like Macy’s, Kohl’s and Bloomingdale’s are treasure troves of fragrance and gift set deals right after Valentine’s Day.
Jewelry is another smart buy right after Feb. 14, especially if you like sparkly heart-shaped pieces, and pink or red gems. Valentine’s Day is the last major jewelry gifting event until Mother’s Day, so expect baubles to be priced to sell.
3. Computers and Electronics (Average Discount: 41%)
Black Friday electronics deals were … not the greatest this past season. We have the chip shortage and supply chain issues to thank for that. But Presidents Day weekend (Feb. 22-24) tends to be pretty tech-heavy and might very well give you a second chance to find a laptop, gaming PC or tablet on sale. In past years, we’ve seen retailers like Dell, Lenovo and HP offering doorbuster-style deals the entire holiday weekend, as well as Amazon offering deals on a wide array of consumer tech, including tablets.
TVs are also a frontrunner for deals in the electronics category. With the Big Game airing Feb. 13 this year, retailers will offer shoppers another chance to save on 4K sets. Traditionally, prices on high-quality, large-screen sets drop the weeks before the game, so that makes early February a good time to upgrade. Check out Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Costco and Sam’s Club for some of the best deals.
4. Home Goods (Average Discount: 17%)
Presidents Day, being a three-day weekend, offers great deals on home goods. Expect large appliances to be marked down (especially if you buy a suite of them). Based on our internal data, we’re also tracking an average 18% discount on furniture and an average 14% discount on mattresses for the month of February, and we expect many of these discounts to be clustered around Presidents Day weekend. For mattress deals, expect king-for-a-queen pricing as well as freebies thrown in (like free bed frames and free pillows).
Note that great deals don’t necessarily mean fast delivery. Supply chain issues are still affecting furniture and appliances, with many items taking several weeks to arrive.
5. Flowers (Average Discount: 19%)
Timing is everything when it comes to finding flower deals in February. Early in the month, flower delivery companies will start to entice early-bird shoppers with promo codes to lock in their business. Deals will get a bit more sparse at the last minute, so place your orders early in the month, both to avoid forgetting about it and to maximize your savings. For example, at 1-800-Flowers, you can get 20% off best-selling flowers and gifts through Feb. 5.
Honorable Mention: Winter Clearance Clothing
The clearance racks still have coats, sweaters and boots. The selection will get consistently thinner as spring fully takes over stores during February. But you can still expect to find absolute steals the first half of the month.
Plus, don’t forget to check out discount chains like T.J. Maxx, Nordstrom Rack, Saks OFF 5th and online outlet stores – that’s where a lot of winter close will be headed, especially as retailers finally receive winter items that were delayed by supply chain issues.
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