Everyday Cheapskate

There's nothing like months of brutal, record-setting winter weather to put us in touch with our inner daffodils. Or crocuses. The promise of spring looms large, and with it comes the promise of some really great bargains for those who are patient and know where to look.

—Bicycles. A great place to find a good used bicycle is at a local police auction. These typically are held in the spring. Bikes for sale are ones that were stolen, recovered but never claimed, or they're bikes that were used in crimes and confiscated by the authorities. Either way, the bikes are cleared and ready to be sold to the highest bidder. You should expect to pay only 10 to 25 percent of a bike's retail price. Just make sure you use the inspection period well so you know what you're bidding on.

—Sports equipment. Whether you need a T-ball stand, soccer shinguards or skis, spring is the time to find a bargain. As the snow melts and spring-cleaning gets under way, garage sales pop up across the country. Let someone else's attempt to clean out be your opportunity to pick up the stuff you and the kids will need soon!

—Thrift shops. Some families will be holding big garage sales, but others prefer to donate all the stuff in their attics and garages they no longer need. This time of year, thrift shops get crowded with merchandise, and managers will mark down the goods, especially winter items.

The best time to shop at a thrift store is the off-season, when you'll find the best deals. Look for heavy coats, scarves and gloves in the spring and summer.

—Frozen foods. March is National Frozen Food Month, the brainchild of the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association. Look for big sales in the frozen food aisle and plenty of coupons for name brands of everything frozen. Take this opportunity, if you can, to load up your freezer for the coming months.

—Snowblowers. I know. Snow may be the last thing you want to think about right now. However, if you discovered in the months past that your equipment was not adequate, now is the time to get great deals on replacements. Stores don't want to warehouse blowers over the summer, so they're discounting them just before winter ends. Start looking now to find a deal. The only problem for you is that you'll be the one storing it over the summer.

Of course, there will be many other bargains out there as retailers struggle to stay in business, and those who are unsuccessful hold going-out-of-business sales. Just be forewarned: No bargain is a good deal if it is for something you don't need.

Be careful out there!

Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 18 books, including her latest, "Can I Pay My Credit Card Bill With a Credit Card?" You can e-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. To find out more about Mary Hunt and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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