7 Ways to Make the Most of the January 2020 Sales (and Avoid Buyer's Remorse)

You can get sales-ready by signing up for notifications and alerts from all your favourite retailers. You can always unsubscribe afterwards, if you like to keep your inbox as clear as possible. But subscribers typically get previews, early access, and all sorts of benefits when sale season rolls around.

To help keep you on track when you're scrolling furiously through all those sale items, write down what you really want. This can be as vague or specific as you like — somewhere in the middle is the easiest way to get the best deal. Writing "handbag" will leave you with way too many options, while an exact bag will likely be too restrictive.

When you come across an item that you think you'd like to buy, channel everyone's favourite declutterer, Marie Kondo and check in with yourself by asking a couple of questions: does it spark joy? Would you buy it if it were full price? It's really easy to be tempted by big discounts, and this can often lead us to buy things that we don't actually want. A bargain's only a bargain if you actually need it. Before you dive in, take a quick moment to be sure you won't regret it.

There are certain items that will stand the test of time and be worthy of their higher ticket status. Cashmere, timeless coat styles, a classic armchair - these are the kinds of investment pieces that typically provide the best value for money, even though they're more expensive outlays — as they'll stay with you for years. Focusing on these in the sales can help guide your shopping priorities.

Maxing out your credit card, or stacking up a load of store credit, might make you rue the day you went big in the sales when you're still paying off your purchases months into the new year. It's a good idea to set an overall budget and try your best to stick to it. Save a bit beforehand to boost your finances come sales season. Sticking within your means will help fend off buyer's remorse later down the line.

While you'll benefit from taking a moment to be sure you really want the item, you also don't want to hang around for too long. Lightning sales have literal time limits, and limited-stock offers tend to go the quickest. If you've made a list, set a budget, and done your research beforehand, you can act quickly to get the best deals. Swot up on retailers' returns policies in advance, too, so you can be decisive.

On the subject of research, the more time you put in before the sales hit, the better your chances of getting what you want — what you really, really want. Signing up for alerts will do some of the legwork for you, but also take a look at when your favourite stores went on sale last year. For example, in 2019, the Boots sale started on Christmas Eve and Debenhams started before Christmas, too, while Marks & Spencer's 60-percent off sale began on Jan. 16.