Bagging a bargain according to the calendar

Excerpt, Vanguard  

Some goods are less expensive at certain times of the year. You can find opportunities through an online search engine, using a phrase such as "best time to buy" either by itself, or in combination with the type of product you need.

Appliances
Just like automobiles and many other goods, appliances go through annual makeovers. And the new versions emerge in September and October.

That makes those months a great time to buy appliances because prices on the old models get slashed to get them out of the store, according to Bankrate.com.

Automobiles
Getting a car at a great price often depends a lot on how good a bargainer you are. However, according to Edmunds.com, an authoritative automotive website, you can get closer to your ideal price if you shop for those wheels:

•  At the end of the month, when dealerships are eager to earn manufacturer bonuses for meeting sales quotas.
• At the end of a model year, when last year's car looks so out of date.
• At the end of a car's design cycle, just before the car been redesigned bumper to bumper. 

Carpeting 
Who thinks of buying carpeting in January? Very few of us, says Kiplinger magazine, which is why the people selling wall-to-wall carpets tend to offer very good deals that month to get us to consider new rugs.

But, it is best to find that plush carpet by mid-February, the magazine says. After that, tax refunds start arriving in and prices on carpets tend to start going back up, the magazine adds.

Computers 
It is possible to find good deals on computers during the holiday season and the weeks just before school starts—times when electronics stores like to put computers on sale.

However, February and March also bring good money-saving opportunities on computers and other electronic products. Why? Because early in January and February manufacturers of electronic products gather at the International Consumer Electronics Show and Macworld to announce their coolest, newest products, automatically rendering the ones announced the previous year obsolete.

"Deals often come up when a technology is outdated and retailers want to get rid of older models," the website GetRichSlowly.org says.

Cooking stuff
Absolutely need new pots and pans? Look for bargains in May, April, October and November, according to an article on Bankrate.com.

Stores put cookware on sale in April and May because shoppers look for wedding and graduation gifts. Cookware goes on sale again in October and November to appeal to holiday gift-givers, says the website.

Digital cameras
February and March are also particularly good months to snag a deal on a digital camera because new models are introduced in January at International CES and the Photo Marketing Association show, according to the magazine PCWorld.

"As new cameras arrive, sellers deeply discount the older models … a boon for bargain hunters who don't need the latest and greatest technology," the magazine points out.

Furniture 
New furniture models come to the stores in February, according to Bankrate.com. And that turns February into a good month to save on furniture.

However, if you are looking to replace that age-old bedraggled couch and miss the February window, you may get another chance in July, a month when the new stuff for fall starts arriving, according to Bankrate.com.

Health club memberships
July, August, and September "are traditionally fire-sale season for fitness centers," because many fitness buffs quit their gyms and take to exercising outdoors, according to Forbes magazine.

Outdoor toys
All that fun stuff for summer—everything from bathing suits to swing sets—sees prices drop in August, when stores are looking to increase their stocks of fall merchandise, according to Kiplinger. During those dog days of summer you can look for discounts that range from 30% to 75%, the magazine says.

Plane tickets
Airline ticket prices veer crazily, driven by competition among airlines, the season, and even fuel prices.
Still, experts point to one time when you can look for good deals: Wednesday, which is the midpoint of a complicated weekly cycle that sees prices start to rise late in the week and then start to fall early the following week.

"What’s the best time to buy your ticket on Wednesday? One hour after Tuesday midnight (1 a.m. Wednesday morning)," Peter Greenberg, travel editor for CBS News and travel editor at large for AARP, writes on his website.

"Why? At about midnight, the airlines usually reload their computers with the latest low-cost fares that were announced the previous day but will be canceled if they are not purchased within 24 hours," Greenberg advises.

Vacuum cleaners
Yes, there's even a good time to wind up with a deal on a vacuum cleaner: April and May, just before new models are announced in June, says FreeShipping.org, a website for bargain hunters.
We can’t always plan when we have to make purchases. But if you think there’s a new purchase in your future consider the above guidelines. You may just find yourself spending less than you anticipated.

Backpacking in the cold weather

The best way to stay warm and toasty is by staying in your flannel PJs inside your house. But if you've been tricked into joining a backpacking trip (Drat!), here are some tips to make yourself as comfortable as possible in freezing weather (32° F/ 0° C). 

Wear the right clothing:

• Do not wear anything cotton. When you work up a sweat, your cotton gets wet and stays wet. This is a recipe for a shivery night.  
• Bring one more layer than you think you'd need. It is cold on the ground, plus your body doesn't generate as much heat as when you're standing up. 
• For your core body: Wear a non-cotton base layer, a light fleece sweater, and one of those thick college hoodies with a single large pocket that has two hand openings. The hoodie is the perfect outer layer because it forms a light wind shell, keeps your heard warm while you are sleeping, and provides an instant hand warmer (not all sleeping bags have that nice little feature, so it's kinda cool making your ghetto adaptation). Oh, and you can stash a water-proof glove (cycling gloves also works) in the pocket, in case your hands still get cold.   
• For your legs, get fleece, thermal wear or cycling tights, all of which are warmer than silk pants. Cycling tights are a bit more wind resistant. Put rain or snow pants over the base layer to deflect the wind. You could also just wear a wind-breaking sweat pants with fleece lining, if you don't have fancy rain/snow pants. 
• Bring a pair of really warm sleeping socks. If you don't hike with these, you can just bring one pair for sleeping. It's worth the weight when things get really cold, and your body starts retracting heat from your extremities to keep your core warm. 
• Bring a windproof beanie that goes over your ears. Then put your hood over your head to keep it from sliding out when you sleep.

Generate and conserve as much heat as possible

• Hydrate well, but stop drinking right before bed. The cold weather will make you want to go to the potty more often than usual. Each time you leave your sleeping bag, you'll need to warm it up all over again.  
• If you have to go answer nature's call, sprint back to your tent. This generates a little bit of extra heat right before you stash yourself into the now-cold sleeping bag. 
• If you are still cold, do sit ups inside your bag. You'll heat up fast, and if your bag will keep the warmth in, long after you'd stop. 

Other things to make you comfortable:

• Use an insulated 4-season air mattress (Thermarest, for example). Not only does it provide cushioning, but it keeps the ground from chilling you. 
• Invest in a bag liner. Silk, flannel, and some synthetics can add 5° or more of warmth and they keep your sleeping bag cleaner and might, for some people, feel better than the sleeping-bag fabric. Silk is the lightest and most expensive option. 
• Bring a compressible camp pillow, which has an incredible weight-to-comfort ratio (backpacking is a trade off between light weight and comfort). Yes, you could use your clothes as a pillow, but if you're wearing all your clothes because it's so darn cold, you'll need a pillow! The generic one from REI is cheap and comfy! 

Things you can ditch:

• Since you are bringing more layers than you normally do, you have to look for places to lighten the load. Double up on the food/drink pack. Consider packing single-serve soy milk instead of just plain water. It quenches thirst and it's calorie rich (compared to water).
• You probably drink less water in cold weather than in warm weather. Adjust accordingly. Don't be too stingy though. It's always better to carry more water than you think you'd need than being parched, head-achey, and grumpy, You can always spill out water. 

Saving money:

• Outdoor activities can get so expensive, so it's best to repurpose what you already have. For example, winter cycling clothing, which are designed to wick sweat out and dry rapidly, can be repurposed for other cold activities, like hiking and skiing. They are designed to keep you warm and dry without restricting movement. 
• Cycling tights take little space yet are great for keeping you warm without overheating you.  However, they are designed for the a seated, not upright position, and they can get clammy if you are one of the sweaty types. Test it out first to make sure that you're comfortable with it. The generous padding that's great in cycling might get annoying in hiking. 

Your mileage may vary with these tips and tricks, but they worked well for us. We definitely had a much better experience than our other camping buddies, who actually had better gear.