What to Buy and Not to Buy in November

To buy or not to buy in November? That's the big question as the official kickoff to the biggest shopping season of the year begins. This is the month when seemingly everything is on sale, from electronics to apparel to appliances and furniture. So what's worth buying in November and what's worth waiting on?

Electronics.

If you've been looking for the right time to refresh your TV inventory, November is your moment. With Black Friday and the holidays fast approaching, HDTV's will sink to their deepest discounts this month, and good deals should continue through December. Tablets and laptops will also see bargain offerings as the gift-buying momentum picks up; some simple laptops may even drop as low as $200.

Halloween Items.

Halloween is over and done, and retailers are wasting no time clearing the shelves. Now is the time to find next year's Halloween costume at nearly 50% off. Other big buys in November include deeply discounted Halloween decorations and Halloween candy.

Apparel.

Clothing may be on a lot of wish lists but you'll have to wait until January for the biggest markdowns on winter clothes and shoes. If it's a must-have item for someone special, however, watch for stores offering some of the best coupons of the year. Hats, gloves, and winter sleepwear that make good gifts under the tree will be deeply discounted in Black Friday sales, making them deals to buy in November.

If you've recently become engaged, sew up that wedding dress now. November is a slow month for bridal retailers who typically respond with lower-than-average prices.

Entertainment.

DVDs and Blu-ray movies make excellent stocking stuffers, and with prices as low as $2 and $3 in Black Friday sales, you can pick up a few and save if you buy in November.

Toys come with some modest discounts in November but prices won't hit a low point just yet. According to DealNews.com the best time to buy toys is closer to Christmas. During the two weeks leading up to the big day even deeper markdowns will show up on holiday toys. Wait as long as you can on this one.

Collectibles.

Are you angling for a "Baby's First Christmas" ornament with 2012 prominently displayed? If so, wait until December to fork over the cash. Although 2012 collectibles go on sale about now, better deals pop up in December. And if you can hold out until January, the price declines will be steeper yet – on a very limited selection, however.

Seasonal Produce.

November is a big month for food. Millions of people celebrate Thanksgiving with tables groaning under the weight of a hearty and tasty repast. Apples, pears, cranberries, plums, clementines, and pumpkins round out the seasonal assortment of fruit (yes, pumpkins are a fruit) while broccoli, leeks, cabbage, squash, cauliflower, parsnips, celery, chestnuts, potatoes, shallots, turnips, and yams make companionable in-season vegetables you should buy in November.

You'll also find rock-bottom prices this month on turkey and other game, such as goose, pheasant, and venison. Buy one variety for your Thanksgiving feast and freeze a second for a December holiday dinner.

Miscellaneous Items.

As you look around for more goods to buy in November, all the sales on Halloween candy means there's no better time for loading up on your holiday baking needs, stocking stuffers, and school snack
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