Bad Economy Means Good Buys

May 29th, 2009 • Related • Filed Under • by tisha

There is always a silver lining, right? Consider that when things go badly in the economy, that is the time when prices Sale - Bags drop on some items that you might need to purchase. Here are some things that have very good prices right now.

Cars and trucks. Could this be the best time to buy a new or used car or truck in the last decade or longer? Probably, because sales are so slow and dealers are almost starving. Some dealers are combining incentives to get you into the showroom to buy. You might be able to find low interest rates along with cash back and even special deals on leasing. Be sure to stay within your budget and purchase a vehicle that is fuel efficient which will help if gasoline prices skyrocket again.

Vacations. Popular vacation spots are hurting because of the lack of tourists that keep their local economies running strong. You can find great deals on lodging and even transportation to and from those locations. Cruise lines are booking shorter trips and dropping their prices. If you ever wanted to go to places like Las Vegas or Atlantic City, now would be the time to check out the prices.

Houses. With the mortgage crisis has come lower prices on homes across the board, but some locations are worse than others. On top of that, interest rates are still very low and there is the stimulus incentive provided by the federal government that allows for $3,000 for first time home buyers.

Large appliances. With sales off up to 30% from last year, retailers are feeling the pinch to move inventory. Some manufacturers are offering rebates. Make sure that these are the instant variety which comes off at the time of purchase. Haggle your way to the best deal possible. And, look for Energy Star rated appliances that are eligible for tax incentives and rebates.

Electronics. Everything from televisions to digital cameras and cell phones are good buys right now. Make sure that you compare prices to ensure that you are getting the best prices. Compare on the Internet for the most competitive deals. Watch for specials on last year’s models – but make sure that they are new and not re-furbished with a lesser warranty.

Furniture. You can find some great bargains on furniture right now. Many of these retailers have been hit hard and are looking to move practically everything they have at bargain basement prices. Watch the quality of what you are interested in, however.
Using these tips, you can find some great buys right now and re-stock and replace items that you have been meaning to but were unable because of money. Just be sure to pay cash in order to avoid interest and other charges.