Saving with the season
Bargain shopping 101: Buy at the end of the season.
Not yet, but in a few short weeks, we should see the best deals of the winter season. Sure, you'll be sifting through snagged sweaters and leftover Christmas colors. But you know that patience will be rewarded with the finds of a lifetime -- knee-high boots for $20, a chic bomber jacket at 80 percent off.
Budget shopping 201: Shop with the season.
There's a season for everything, including discounts. We expect "white sales" on linens in January. But did you know a good time to buy that new flat screen could be right before the Super Bowl? Electronics stores often stock up before the great American sport watching and guacamole chowing event. Competition drives down prices.
For clothing, SmartMoney says the best time to buy is a Thursday night, six to eight weeks after the item landed in the store. You'll catch the weekend sale, but with better selection and fewer crowds. Also look for season-end clearances when designers unveil their new collections (February and September). Check the catwalk to see if current trends -- like ruffle shirts and hues of eggplant -- are going to stick around for another year. Then grab them while they're cheap!
Here's another bargainista guide to when to shop for everything from garden supplies to summer T's. Remember: Don't be afraid to pounce. Deals too good to walk away from won't stay on shelves long.
-- Deal Diva Letitia (with help from Guest Diva researcher Shirl Kennedy)
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Katie Sanders foolishly spurned pretty dresses and shoes as a child, tossing new clothes over her shoulder at birthday parties with a totally rude "no, thank you." Her drab days of monocolor outfits are over now, and she certainly knows better than to turn down free stuff. Her wardrobe mixes classic with quirk. Think blazers with statement necklaces, and lots of patterned ballet flats. She can be reached at 850) 224-7263 or 
Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost, but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan, she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can be reached at (727) 893-8643 or 
A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or 
From camo pants and construction boots to sundresses, sweaters and sling backs, Keyonna Summers knows how to make all of it rock -- at rock bottom prices. A Detroit native, Keyonna delves into her urban roots to find fashion pairings that give a nod to street fashion while maintaining the class of the modern, professional woman. She believes in searching for affordable clothes that look expensive and can easily be dressed up or down. You won't find plaid shirts or fleece jackets in her closet; the only hiking Keyonna does is to the bargain basement. She can be reached at (727) 445-4153 or 
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