"Wait until it goes on sale." Could the timing be any better for such advice in a sputtering economy? Whether you're practicing patience to save money or buying gifts in advance, the following list of sales can save you big bucks. Some retailers change sale dates or locations, so call before heading out. Clip, save and we'll run another one for the second half of the year in June.

JANUARY

Through Feb. 7: Eversharp knife sharpening, including serrated, for $1 (344 NE. Taft St., Minneapolis, 612-379-1300). Get a free handheld sharpener with any Wüsthof knife purchase (limit one per person).

Starting Thursday: Scratch N' Dent Furniture (3740 Louisiana Av. S., St. Louis Park, 952-924-1061, www.oddsandendsfurniture.com). An additional 50 percent off original prices for all floor samples and back inventory six months or older (about 20 to 25 percent of total inventory).

FEBRUARY

2-8: Gallery 360 sweetheart sale (3011 W. 50th St., Minneapolis, 612-925-2400, www.gallery360mpls.com). Handmade works, mostly from local artists, discounted 20 percent, including art, jewelry, pottery, clothing, glass and tile. Get 30 percent off one item with Web coupon at the site.

5-8: Animal Humane Society book sale (845 Meadow Lane N., Golden Valley, 763-522-4325 and 9785 Hudson Rd., Woodbury, 651-730-6008). Books, records, tapes, CDs and DVDs for children and adults at both locations. Admission is $5 from 5 to 8 p.m. on the 5th.

11-15: Electric Fetus music and gifts Valentine's Day sale (2000 4th Av. S., Minneapolis, 612-870-9300). Twenty percent off all new and used CDs, DVDs and gifts (except smoking accessories). Other sale: June 10-14.

12-14: Aldi Valentine's Day rose specials (20 Twin Cities area locations at www.shopaldismart.com, no published phone numbers). Aldi's everyday low price is $4 for six roses with greens. Feb. 12 through 14, one dozen long-stemmed roses will be $17. Other sales: 10-inch hanging baskets for $6 April 30 (impatiens, begonias or geraniums).

13-14: Coastal Seafoods Valentine's sale (2330 Minnehaha Av. S., Minneapolis, 612-724-7425; 74 S. Snelling Av., St. Paul, 651-698-4888). Florida stone crab for $11 per pound, regularly $15.

14-15, 17: Kiwi Beach warehouse sale (1530 E. Cliff Rd., Burnsville, 952-858-9530). Colorful sportswear for girls, juniors and women discounted 40 to 75 percent.

12-16: Über Baby Appaman Days sale (6021 Lyndale Av. S., Minneapolis, 612-869-0930, myuberbaby.com). Up to 70 percent off ÜB's best-selling brand.

13-16: Len Druskin weekend blowout (Southdale, Edina, 952-920-0472, www.lendruskinoulet.com). Additional discounts at the high-end fashionista outlet for men and women.

14: Arc's Value Village Thrift Stores winter sale (Brooklyn Center 763-503-3534; New Hope, Richfield, www.arcsvaluevillage.org). Fifty percent off all items. Other half-off sale: May 25.

19-22: Patina clearance sale (2057 Ford Pkwy., St. Paul, 651-695-9955). A switch from the Minneapolis gift shop outlet, the clearance sale moves temporarily to the basement of the Highland Park store with discounts of 50 to 75 percent on miscellaneous merchandise.

20-22: Designer Marketplace 10th Anniversary sale (160 Glenwood Av. N., Minneapolis, 612-381-8508, www.designermarketplacemn.com). Additional 15 to 30 percent discounts storewide at the moderate to high-end showroom with closeouts and discontinued furniture and home accessories, including pieces from IMS.

21: Goodwill Bridal Showcase (553 Fairview Av. N., St. Paul, 651-379-5800, www.goodwilleasterseals.org). More than 2,000 dresses, including wedding gowns from $99, and bridesmaid, mother-of-the-bride and prom from $25 to $200, sizes 6 to 24W. Gowns are new with tags, used or samples. Ten designer gowns valued at $5,000 to $9,000 will be on silent auction.

21: Nordstrom Rack (Mall of America, Bloomington, 952-854-3131). Large-size shoe event . Other sales: Big Brands events on Feb. 12, April 17 and June 9. Tag sales March 16 (shoes only), May 5 and June 23.

26-28: Cole River sample sale (Ford Center, 420 N. 5th St., Suite 700, Minneapolis, 612-435-0744, www.coleriverco.com). Gifts and home accessories sample sale at wholesale cost or below. Most items sell for $2 to $100.

MARCH

1-31: Creative Kidstuff art sale (six Twin Cities locations, www.creativekidstuff.com). Twenty percent off all art. Other sale: a storewide event in June.

13-May 3: Ikea kitchen living event (1900 Lindau Lane, Bloomington, 952-858-8088, www.ikea.us). Possible discounts on selected countertops, cabinets, appliances and other kitchen accessories. Other sale: June 17-July 5.

19-22: Über Outlet first anniversary sale (6021 Lyndale Av. S., Minneapolis, 612-869-0930, www.myuberoutlet.com). Up to 80 percent discounts at the high-end outlet for men, women and kids. Other sale: July 11-14.

26-28: David Rosenberg's sample sale (location TBD, 612-343-3221). Women's, men's and children's midline clothing, including spring and summer knit tops, blouses, dresses, pants, jackets, coordinates, plus sizes and jewelry. Best bargain: Newly expanded $3 and $5 racks.

27-29: Gage & Gage gift wrapping/accessories sale (660 Industrial Circle, Shakopee, 952-233-2081, www.gagewarehousesale.com). Bows 25 cents or less, boxes 25 cents to $2, gift bags 10 cents to $2, ribbon, tissue, wrapping paper $1 to $7 and paper plates. The sale also runs April 2-4 along with the soup ladies' nearby (see April 2-4) and the Canterbury Craft Sale April 3-5 at Canterbury Park (www.canterburypark.com).

APRIL

2-4: North Aire Market warehouse sale (1157 Valley Park Dr. S., Shakopee, 952-496-2887, www.northairemarket.com). Maggie and Mary's dry gourmet soups ($4 on sale) and cheese ball mixes (about $3) sell for 40 percent less at the sale than at suppliers such as upscale grocery stores.

21-25: Stroke of the Heart Warehouse sale (3792 Williston Road, Minnetonka, 952-945-9495). Locally designed greeting cards with simple watercolor designs, priced as low as 10 cents each. Also, note pads $1.50, magnets $1.50 and boxed note cards $4.

28-30: Sample It sample sale (Days Inn, 7851 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, 612-377-6981). Samples from spring/summer merchandise for juniors, young men, kids, women's boutique and accessories. Other sale: July 21-23 (fall).

MAY

2: Lonnie Lovness jewelry sample sale (321 S. Main St., Stillwater, 651-430-2234 and www.lonnielovness.com). Fifty to 70 percent discounts off retail on sterling, beads, necklaces, watches, earrings and bracelets from $9 to $150.

8-9: Bridal Accents Couture (4401 W. County Road 42, Savage, 952-846-4496, ext. 2, www.bridalaccentscouture.com) will discount nearly all of its sample gowns 30 to 90 percent. More than 100 gowns will be on sale, plus shoes, jewelry and veils.

22-25: Half-Price Books (Seven locations including St. Paul 651-699-1391). Twenty percent off storewide.

JUNE

6: Papo d'Anjo warehouse sale (2325 Endicott St., Suite 11, St. Paul, 651-294-3900, www.papodanjo.com). Spring and summer high-end European children's wear for ages 3 months to 14 years.

12-14: Cooks of Crocus Hill garage sale (877 Grand Av., St. Paul, 651-228-1333, 3925 W. 50th St., Edina, 952-285-1903, www.cooksofcrocushill.com). Overstocks, scratch-and-dents and display items discounted 50 percent or more, including cookware, food, gadgets, towels and dishes.

17: Linder's Greenhouse flower marts plant sale (Call 651-488-1927 for locations). Fifty percent off all perennials, annuals and shrubs at Linder's Greenhouse flower marts (40+ satellite locations). The sale does not apply to all items in the garden center on Larpenteur Avenue in St. Paul. If you can't wait, plants are 33 percent off May 30.

John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633 • jewoldt@startribune.com