INDIANAPOLIS — If a gift card is burning a hole in your pocket, here are the smartest categories to shop, according to RetailMeNot.
Health/fitness products (Average discount: 31% off)
"Retailers know shoppers are kicking off a new year of fitness goals and are competing for your business. So check out sales from Fitbit, as well as any retailer that carries smartwatches and fitness trackers. You’ll also find plenty of deals on at-home gym essentials (including dumbbells, mats and resistance bands) from sporting goods stores like Academy Sports + Outdoors and Dick’s Sporting Goods. And if you’re looking to really commit to a home gym, you’ll find discounts on larger equipment as well, from the likes of Bowflex and Peloton."
Personal finance — (Average discount: 29% off)
"Tax season is once again upon us, and filing as early as you can is always a smart move from a budget standpoint. Online tax software companies often offer early-bird discounts in January, in hopes of attracting filers away from their competitors. So, regardless of where you filed last year, check out offers from TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxSlayer and Tax Act."
Computers — (Average discount: 26% off)
"Data shows January as a sweet spot for buying computers. Surprised? That’s because electronics retailers tend to have leftover ungifted inventory after Black Friday and the whole holiday season. The next big opportunity to save on computers will be in July and late summer (during Prime Day and back-to-school sales). Check out Best Buy, HP, Lenovo and Dell for top deals this month."
Winter clothing — (Average discount: 24% off)
"The first week of January will be full of fashion deals, as that’s when retailers run their New Year clearance sales. Knowing that shoppers will be out in droves returning gifts they don’t want, retailers are ready with deals. Seasonal clearance sales will also soon follow, as January is when retailers start making room for spring fashions — that means hats and colder-weather wear will start to make their way to the discount racks."
Hotels and resorts — (Average discount: 22% off)
"The time between the holidays and spring break is a bit of a dead zone for travel companies. So, to tempt everyone to splurge to get somewhere warm, travel providers will be offering discounts on hotel rooms, resort bookings, cruises, tours and vacation packages. Good places to check for the biggest savings include Expedia, Booking.com, Priceline and Viator. "