No sooner than the chaos of Christmas comes to a close your fragile pocket is tempted with another consumer tradition – the January sales. The best time of year to get your hands on a number of those long-awaited purchases, many people save all-year round and wait to get their hands on expensive purchases at a cut price.

Even if you don’t have your eye on something specific you’ll find it hard to resist the barrage of TV ads and shop displays promising huge savings on those not-so-essential purchases. But you have to spend all that Christmas money on something, right? So let’s take a look at some of the best places to get a January bargain this year.

For the tech heads

High on the list of January purchases is always technology – expensive gadgets that drop in price after Christmas and older models, already or soon to be replaced. Amazon and Currys (Currys and PC World) are top places to pick up a January bargain on everything from TVs to games consoles, computers and tablets.

For the fashionistas

You’ll see the high street littered with signs tempting you into stores with slashed prices on all kinds of fashion and style items. All the usual suspects like Topshop and Zara will be pitching in with their January sales, while a great online alternative is Asos. And if you’re after specific accessories take a look at specialist online retailers – Glare Eyewear, for example, has a massive sale on designer sunglasses this month.

For the escapists

Now is the perfect time of year for a winter getaway to somewhere warmer. But if you can’t get the time of work then you can at least save some money on your holiday for later in the year by booking now. Virgin Holidays makes a very big deal of its January Sale and you’ll find a range of all inclusive holidays at cut prices to fill your winter with warmer thoughts.

For the new yearresolutioners

Chances are you have promised yourself you’ll either lose weight this year or at least start exercising more, so now is the time to choose your fitness weapons and grab a January deal. Fitness Superstore has a massive sale on gym equipment if you want to create your own exercise space at home. And if the bike machine isn’t your thing you can always get a real one in the January sale at Halfords.

For the home improvers

Yes, those essential bit of maintenance and DIY that nobody wants to do or pay for, but needs must. You’ll find most home improvement companies – especially those window glazers seem to have a sale on all-year round – but January is still the best time of year to pick up a deal on conservatories, new windows and other touch ups. And, of course, you’ll find some January savings at the big DIY retailers like B&Q and some specialist tool suppliers.