Happy New Year - Things to Do and Not to Do in January

Happy New Year from your friends at Debonair Magazine! Here is to health, wealth, and prosperity in 2008. Just to make sure that you start the year on the right foot, we’ve compiled a short list of things to do and not to do this January.

Don’t get a gym membership

While we would never discourage anyone from joining a gym or fitness club, reconsider joining in January. The most common New Year’s resolutions are as follows:

1. Spend more time with loved ones
2. Quit smoking
3. Join a gym

With loads of heavyweights chomping at the fitness bit, athletic clubs command the highest premiums at the beginning of the year. If you’re looking for a lower rate, wait until the summer. In the meantime, you might consider jogging.

Do use a gift card

The gift of cash offers its recipient the freedom to spend on anything, anywhere, without restriction, limitation, or expiration. Alas, you received a gift card – or worse yet, a gift certificate. Well swipe em’ if you got em. A gift card does not earn interest on the money it contains and inflation rates lower the theoretical value of the card.

“Woah” you might say, “It’s just a $25.00 gift card from my aunt.” Fair enough. But remember, gift cards do expire, and most retail merchandise is highly discounted after the holidays, so treat yourself to something nice.

Don’t buy a digital camera

Major photography trade shows are held in late January and early February. Expect huge discounts on all current digital cameras following the announcement of their replacements.

Do buy a suit

Beginning December 26th, the average retailer will mark down suits by 25% or better. Expect these discounts to continue into January, reaching 40-50% off of full retail price.

Editor’s Note: If you buy a heavily discounted suit, use an off-premise tailor. Retailers will often recoup discounts via tailoring premiums.

Don’t go see a new release

To quote New York Magazine*, “Every January, smart audiences catch up on the Oscar contenders that opened in December, while studios dump their disasters.” That pretty much says it all. So ask yourself, are you willing to spend $11.00 to see this year’s Grandma's Boy.

Do cash your refund check

If you know that Uncle Sam owes you money, file your taxes as soon as possible. The longer your money languishes in the government’s coffers, the less opportunity you have to earn interest on your own bread. However, if you owe tax money, file in April like everyone else.

Happy New Year!


*http://nymag.com/nymetro/movies/features/n_9719/

		John W. DeFeo e. jdefeo(at)debonairmag.com John W. DeFeo is the co-founder and Creative Director of Debonair Magazine. John has worked as a copywriter, graphic designer, public relations representative, and voice-over actor. For fun, John moonlights as a New York based photographer.