Every month of the year, certain items are discounted due to overstock, holiday sales, or transitions from one season to the next. Here are the shopping highlights for January in Hawai’i stores. Of course, we think the best way to save money is not to spend it! But, when you need or want to, plan your spending to take advantage of the times of the year when what you buy is at the lowest possible price.
Special events with shopping discounts and deals in February include Super Bowl Sunday (February 9, 2025) and President’s Day weekend (February 14-17, 2025)
Discounted and seasonal items to buy in February
Perfume and cologne
January is usually a better month to buy perfumes on sale, due to leftover stock from the holidays. However, ahead of Valentine’s Day, you may find new scents being introduced at discounted prices or (more likely) find bonus fragrance products (buy the cologne, get the matching lotion for free).
Mattresses
The three best months to buy a mattress are February, May, and September.
Electronics
While February isn’t the best time to buy computers and televisions (November tends to be the best time of the year for all electronics) there are some exceptions:
- Cameras: February (as well as November) is one of the best times of the year to consider a camera purchase.
- TV and home theaters: The week before Super Bowl you might find a deal on new televisions and home theater systems—but be sure you know your prices, as sometimes these are impulse buys that are NOT a good deal.
- Closeouts: Also keep an eye out for closeout prices on last year’s models for all types of electronics: TVs, smartphones, computers, laptops, and tablets.
Bicycles
Prices for bicycles tend to be best in the fall, September-October. However, new model bikes will be arriving in stores soon, so you might find closeout prices on last year’s models for anything from a tyke’s bike to an electric two-wheeler. Or maybe a good deal on a used bike that someone is selling to trade up.
New products to buy in February
Malasadas
Valentine’s Day Dining
- Valentine’s Day romantic spots in Hawaii | OpenTable
- You can also make a romantic meal at Oʻahu: Food trucks & other cheap eats in Waikīkī (hawaiionthecheap.com).
- Or, get the fixin’s for a homemade meal at Hawaiian Islands Farmers Markets (hawaiionthecheap.com). Cooking together can be very romantic!
Valentine’s Day Gifts and Entertainment
Actually, the best time to buy Valentine’s Day gifts is before February! Prices tend to rise on typical gifts (flowers, chocolates, jewelry) the closer you get to February 14. You might also like:
- Best places to buy Hawaiian gifts & souvenirs (hawaiionthecheap.com)
- Best concert venues in Hawaiʻi (hawaiionthecheap.com)
President’s Day Sales
Every 3-day weekend holiday is generally a good time to shop. However, February is a slow retail month, so deals are slimmer than most other months of the year. Still, it can be a good time to check your “wish list” and look for discounted items or at least compare prices. You might also like:
- Oʻahu: Best shopping malls for holiday sales (hawaiionthecheap.com)
- Maui shopping centers, malls, and outlet stores (hawaiionthecheap.com)
Avocados
Super Bowl Weekend is one of the best times of the year to buy avocados–people like to make guacamole for football parties. The fastest way I know to make a great “guac” are to mash one (or two) avocados with about one cup of red salsa (your favorite brand or recipe) or salsa verde (tomatillo salsa). If you want to feel like you put in more effort, chop a couple tablespoons of fresh cilantro and/or green onions and stir them in.
- If you want to make your guacamole from scratch, try these Guacamole Recipes (avocadosfrommexico.com).
- If you are a newbie to avocado prep, find out All About Hass Avocados (californiaavocado.com).
- If you end up with leftover avocados, learn these easy Avocado preserving methods (homepreservingbible.com).
Canned Foods
Since February is National Canned Food Month, grocery stores will offer some of the best prices of the year on all sorts of canned foods, from beans and meats to vegetables and fruits. It’s best to buy only those foods you already like and use. Look for manufacturer coupons for your favorite brands to save even more and stock up your kitchen pantry. Most canned foods can be stored up to two years, if they are kept in a cool, dry place. Here are some easy recipe ideas using canned foods:
- Bean & Corn Salsa: drained canned black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and green chilies (optional), seasoned to taste with freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice, chopped onion or cilantro, and salt. If you like fruit salsa, add drained, diced canned pineapple. Serve with tortilla chips or use in tacos or quesadillas with or without meat or cheese.
- Homemade chili: canned black beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans, canned diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, canned green chilies (optional), chopped onion and garlic, seasoned to taste with chile powder, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. If you want a meat chili, brown ground beef or Portuguese sausage and then toss everything else into the pot.
- Sweet and Sour Chicken: canned chicken, bottled barbecue sauce, canned pineapple chunks, and chopped fresh green or red pepper, onion, and garlic, seasoned to taste with salt and pepper. Serve over rice. This recipe probably works better with raw boneless chicken or even shredded rotisserie chicken, but if you like canned chicken, this can be a super easy pantry meal.
Event calendar of free and affordable things to do
Listed below are all types of free and affordable things to do in the next 30 days across the Hawaiʻi Pae ʻĀina.
Featured Events are listed first each day, highlighted by a photo. These are unique, popular, or annual events that we or our advertisers don’t want you to overlook.
You might also like: Hawaiʻi on the Cheap – affordable living and things to do (hawaiionthecheap.com)
