Even though CheapoLife.com is based in the U.S., I have noticed we have quite a few readers in Canada. Our neighbors in the Great White North will be celebrating Victoria Day 2013 on Monday, May 20. Victoria Day is a Canadian public holiday. It is similar to Memorial Day here in the States in that it is part of a long weekend which signifies the beginning of summer. Also like Memorial Day, Canada’s Victoria Day is a great time for sales, deals, and special promotional offers at stores, restaurants, and shopping malls.

Best Buy Canada, Sears Canada, Home Depot Canada, Eaton’s, Future Shop, Jacob, and many other big box stores as well as smaller merchants hold Victoria Day Sales or Long Weekend Sales. Most stores are open regular hours on this day although some retailers, malls, and restaurants have extended hours of operation on Victoria Day. Be sure to check with your favorite merchants for their specific hours and offerings before heading out for the Long Weekend Sales and Victoria Day Sales: May 18-19-20, 2013. Happy shopping, Canada!

There are 4 times per year to buy bagged candy: the day after Valentine’s Day, the day after Easter, the day after Halloween, and the day after Christmas. Hershey, Nestle, Mars, and other major candy companies all create special candy assortments to commemorate these holidays. Usually, the candy isn’t anything special, but the packaging makes it unique to the particular holidays. Beginning the day after the holiday, this candy is no longer marketable. It cannot be sold at full price because the packaging is outdated. It cannot be saved and resold the following year because it would become stale long before then. So, this Valentine’s Day candy, Easter candy, Halloween candy, and Christmas candy is put on sale at a substantial discount.

Many stores offer this clearance candy at 50% off, beginning the day after the holiday. In my area, Walmart, Kroger, Target, and Walgreens are good places to search. Readers in other parts of the country have told me the other Kroger family stores also offer discounted holiday candy: Ralphs, King Soopers, City Market, Dillons, Fry’s, QFC Quality Food Centers, Baker’s, Owen’s, Jay C Food Stores, Hilander, Gerbes, and Pay Less Super Markets. Others have mentioned Cub Foods, Rainbow, Albertsons, Safeway/Von’s, Cashwise, CVS, and RiteAid. Basically, 1/2 price holiday candy is likely to show up at any supermarket, drug store, or large discount retailer. You might have to do some searching, but a deal like this is worth it!

One more thing: if you’re going to take advantage of these half price Valentine’s Day/Easter/Halloween/Christmas clearance candy sales, do so quickly. The “good stuff” always goes within a few days. Come early and you’ll find Kit Kats, Twix, Snickers, Milky Ways, Reese’s, Three Musketeers, and M&Ms for 50% off. Wait too long and there will be nothing left besides suckers and the goopy glop that nobody wants. If you’re a true CheapoLifer, half the fun is the hunt and finding the deal. Good luck!

If you’re out and about on Super Bowl Sunday, bear in mind that many stores and restaurants will close early for the Big Game. While out this past week, I noticed several businesses with signs on their front doors that indicated they would be closing early on Sunday afternoon/evening. Most of these said something to the effect of “____ will be closing early this Sunday so that our employees can watch the Super Bowl with their friends and families.”

Many places will be open with regular hours of operation, of course. Super Bowl Sunday is one of the biggest days of the year for sports bars and bar/restaurant establishments. But at family restaurants, business is typically slow on this day, so some have decided to close early. Stores and shopping centers/malls also have reduced traffic and customer counts on the day of the Big Game, so they may be closing early as well.

If you’re headed out on Super Bowl Sunday, be sure to call ahead and confirm the store or restaurant will be open during their regular sale hours. It’s always a better option than wasting time and gas, only to get there and find out the place is closed. Be safe out there and enjoy the Big Game tomorrow!

If you’re in the market for a new car or truck deal, don’t forget Presidents Day weekend (February 16-17-18) is one of the biggest holidays of the year for new auto sales. 2013 is no exception. Your local Honda, Toyota, Chevy/Buick/Cadillac/GMC, Suzuki, Ford/Lincoln, Hyundai, BMW, Volkswagen, Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep, Kia/Hyundai, Infiniti, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Subaru, Lexus, and Volvo dealers will have large inventories and be ready to deal via their websites. Many independent used car dealers will also have big Presidents Day car, truck, and SUV sales.

In addition to savings of several thousands of dollars on most models, look for Presidents Day offers of free airline tickets and gift cards. 0% financing is once again being offered on some models. Plus extended warranties and discounts on service/maintenance plans.

Because of the “challenging” economy these past few years, most of us have kept our cars and trucks longer than we normally do. The average used vehicle is now over 11 years old. The Presidents Day holiday weekend will be a good time to shop for a replacement. This winter, many people are in a better financial situation today vs years past, so auto dealers are rolling out the sales, discounts, and rebate incentives. Check the 2013 Presidents Day car, truck & SUV sales in your local area for the best deals. Happy auto shopping!

If you’re in the market for new home electronics or appliances, you should know Presidents Day weekend (February 16-17-18) is typically one of the busiest holidays of the year for appliance and electronics sales. 2013 is no exception. Washers, dryers, dishwashers, ranges/microwaves, refrigerators/freezers, flat screen LCD/LED/plasma TVs, gaming consoles, plus laptop/desktop computers/printers and accessories will all be featured with deep discounts.

Watch for special Presidents Day promotional offers on appliances and electronics from Amana, LG, Samsung, Frigidaire, Sony, Toshiba, Dell, HP, Apple, and many other manufacturers. Deals can be found on the various store websites.

Because of the “challenging” economy these past few years, most of us have kept our home electronics and appliances longer than in years past. The Presidents Day sales will be a good time to shop for new models. This winter, many people are in a better financial situation today vs years past, so appliance and electronics dealers are rolling out the sales, discounts, and rebate incentives. Check the 2013 Presidents Day electronics and appliance sales online for the best prices. Happy deal hunting!

If you’re in the market for a new smartphone or wireless cell phone, you should know Presidents Day weekend (February 16-17-18) is typically one of the busiest holidays of the year for new phone sales. 2013 is no exception. Your local Verizon Wireless, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and U.S. Cellular stores and authorized agents will be well-stocked and ready to deal. There are many phones available FREE with activation of a qualifying service plan and contract.

Watch for special Presidents Day promotional offers on prepaid phones and service from Boost Mobile, Cricket Wireless, NET 10, TracFone, Straight Talk, and Virgin Mobile.

Because of the “challenging” economy these past few years, most of us have kept our cell phones and smartphones longer than in years past. Presidents Day weekend will be a good time to shop for a new phone. We should see some good iPad and tablet sales, too. This winter, many people are in a better financial situation today vs years past, so wireless phone dealers are rolling out the sales, discounts, and rebate incentives. Check the 2013 Presidents Day cell phone sales in your local area for the best prices. Happy wireless phone deal hunting!

If you’re shopping for a new laptop or desktop computer, don’t forget Presidents Day weekend (February 16-17-18) is traditionally one of the biggest holidays of the year for new computer sales. 2013 is no exception. Best Buy, Walmart, Office Max, Office Depot, Staples, Sam’s Club, Costco, hhgregg, Fry’s Electronics, Radio Shack, CircuitCity.com, Micro Center, Dell.com, CompUSA/Tiger Direct, and Amazon.com will all have large inventories and be ready to make a deal online and in their stores.

Save on the latest desktop and laptop computer models from HP, Lenovo, Asus, Compaq, Acer, Dell, Advent, Toshiba, Apple Mac, Everex, Sony Vaio, Gateway, Samsung, and Toshiba. Sales can be found on the various store websites.

Presidents Day is also a good time to purchase computer accessories, peripheral devices, and related products such as the iPad and other tablets, iPod, portable hard drives, printers, laptop cases, and software.

Because the economy has been less than spectacular these past few years, most of us have kept our computers longer than we normally do. The Presidents Day sales will be a good time to shop for new desktops and laptops. Many people are in a better financial situation today vs years past, so manufacturers and dealers are rolling out the sales, discounts, coupons, rebates, and special promotional offers. Check the Presidents Day computer sales in your local area and online for the best deals. Happy computer shopping!

If you’re shopping for new home furnishings, don’t forget Presidents Day Weekend (February 16-17-18) is traditionally one of the biggest holidays of the year for new furniture sales. 2013 is no exception. Your local Broyhill, Sauder, La-Z-Boy, Drexel Heritage, Ethan Allen, Council, Durham, Century, Henkel Harris, Stickley, Hickour Chair, Hooker, Lane, Vaughan Bassett, Pennsylvania House, and Berhnardt dealers will have large inventories and be ready to make a deal via their websites.

Several independent furniture dealers such as Ashley Furniture, IKEA, Havertys, Kane’s Furniture, Slumberland, HOM Furniture, and all the big box stores will have large Presidents Day sales. The many North Carolina furniture outlets will have special offers on your favorite pieces.

In addition to savings of several hundreds of dollars on most dining room, living room, and bedroom/mattress sets & suites, look for Presidents Day coupon and promo code sales to get substantial savings off the furniture group or set of your choice.

Because the economy has been less than spectacular these past few years, most of us have kept our furniture and bedding sets longer than we normally do. This holiday weekend will be a good time to shop for new furniture. Many people are in a better financial situation today vs years past, so manufacturers and dealers are rolling out the sales, discounts, coupons, rebates, and special promotional offers. Check the Presidents Day furniture sales in your local area for the best deals. Happy furniture shopping!

Wondering what is open and what is closed on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day? You’re not alone! Here’s a quick list of what is open and closed on MLK Day – Monday, January 21, 2013:

Most government offices will be closed. Federal, state and county offices will be closed. Some city offices are closed. Some public buildings such as libraries may be open only for limited hours.

Post offices will be closed and mail will not be delivered on MLK Day. Express Mail will be delivered in larger cities, however.

Most banks will be closed.

Stock markets will be closed.

DMV offices and drivers license bureaus will be closed.

Public and private schools will be closed. This includes primary schools, high schools, colleges, and universities.

UPS Stores will be open and UPS will make pickups and deliveries on January 21.

Most shopping malls and shopping centers will be open normal hours. This includes the anchor stores typically found in malls: Sears, JCPenney, Dillard’s, Belk, Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, the Bon-Ton, Carson Pirie Scott, Herberger’s, Younkers, and Nordstrom. Several stores will be featuring MLK Day sales with discounts, special promotions, and coupon deals.

Most supermarkets and grocery stores will be open normal hours: Kroger, Dillons, King Soopers, Cub, Rainbow Foods, ALDI, Randalls, Dominick’s, Bristol Farms, Sav-a-Lot, Safeway, Vons, Baker’s, Winn-Dixie, Albertsons, Publix, Food Lion, Gerbes, BI-LO, Harris Teeter, Jewel-Osco, Meijer, A&P, Food City, Fry’s, Hy-Vee, Ingles, Cashwise, Owens, Food4Less, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Roundy’s, Hornbacher’s, Shaw’s, and Sweetbay.

Most “big box” stores will be open normal hours: Best Buy, Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, The Home Depot, Lowes, PetSmart, Kohl’s, Toys R Us, Costco, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Sam’s Club, Burlington Coat Factory, Old Navy, Staples, Office Max, Office Depot, Target, Trader Joes, SkopKo, Kmart, IKEA, Sports Authority, Barnes & Noble, Ross, Menards, Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas, Gander Mountain, Big Lots, etc.

Many movie theaters and cinemas are open. Since the kids are out of school, MLK Day is a big movie day. Some theatres and cineplexes offer additional early and/or late showings on these days.

Nearly all casinos and other gaming facilities will be open.

Liquor stores and ABC stores are usually open. State and local laws regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages (liquor, beer, and wine) on MLK Day and other holidays vary by location.

Recreation centers are likely open.

Trash and garbage collection will proceed on normal schedule in most areas.

Most bars and restaurants will be open normal hours.

Buses, trains, subways, and other public transportation will run, but some locations will be on holiday schedule.

In summary, most private businesses are open on MLK Day, usually with regular hours of operation. Government entities are nearly always closed on MLK Day.

Enjoy your MLK Day holiday!  Martin Luther King, Jr. Day only comes once per year. For 2013, it happens on Monday, January 21.

Happy MLK Day from all of us here at CheapoLife.com.

If you’re in the market for a new car or truck deal, don’t forget MLK Day weekend (January 19-20-21) is one of the biggest holidays of the year for new auto sales. 2013 is no exception. Your local Honda, Toyota, Chevy/Buick/Cadillac/GMC, Suzuki, Ford/Lincoln, Hyundai, BMW, Volkswagen, Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep, Kia/Hyundai, Infiniti, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Subaru, Lexus, and Volvo dealers will have large inventories and be ready to deal via their websites. Many independent used car dealers will also have big Martin Luther King, Jr. Day car, truck, and SUV sales.

In addition to savings of several thousands of dollars on most models, look for MLK Day offers of free airline tickets and gift cards. 0% financing will once again being offered on some models. Plus extended warranties and discounts on service/maintenance plans.

Because of the “challenging” economy these past few years, most of us have kept our cars and trucks longer than we normally do. The average used vehicle is now over 11 years old. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday weekend will be a good time to shop for a replacement. This winter, many people are in a better financial situation today vs years past, so auto dealers are rolling out the sales, discounts, and rebate incentives. Check the 2013 MLK Day car, truck & SUV sales in your local area for the best deals. Happy auto shopping!