Mark your calendar for these noteworthy sales

We've all seen the month-by-month calendars that tell consumers the "best time to buy" various products. It often means that prices are lowest then, but consumers should dig deeper.

For example, when calendars encourage buying a TV in January, it's usually because new models are coming out and last year's models are being discounted to make way for them. But before buying the cheaper model, check to see if the features on the new version merit paying more.

And don't just assume that Presidents' Day is a good time to buy, for instance, a camera. Check with your favorite store and ask when it will start discounting old models.

Bargain hunters know that buying at the end of the season means savings, whether it's lawn furniture after Labor Day or a snow blower in April. But the reverse also is true. Now can be a good time to get preseason discounts on patio furniture, especially if you're picky and might need to special order.

This semiannual sale calendar, which runs through June, is a mixture of preseason and end-of-the-season discounts, along with anniversary sales, when retailers offer extra discounts to attract our dollars. A few sales are missing: The owner of Kiwi Beach closed her store; the popular Bluestone Garden supplies sale won't be back until 2012 due to lack of products.

At the end of June, I'll publish the best sales for July through December. Send me any good ones I've missed.

JANUARYThrough 25: Fantastic Sam's haircut sale (100-plus Minnesota locations, www.fantasticsams.com). Haircuts for men, women and kids, including shampoo and blow dry for $9.99.

Through Feb. 1: DealSmart small-appliance sale (2553 NE. Hwy. 10, Mounds View, 763-717-2967, and 2900 Rice St., Little Canada, 651-287-7899, www.dealsmartdeals.com). Save 40 to 50 percent on a new shipment of coffeemakers, stand mixers, hand mixers, toaster ovens, blenders, irons, can openers, roasters, breadmakers, crock pots and humidifiers from Mr. Coffee, Rival, Oster, Sunbeam, Foodsaver and Holmes.

Through Feb. 14: Dave's Furniture World mattress sale (6315 Penn Av. S., Richfield, 952-484-0834, www.davesfurnitureworld.com). Spend $500 or more and get free delivery, setup and removal on some of the lowest prices on mattresses (new materials, not refurbished) in the Twin Cities. Queen beds ($300 to $600) priced at half of most stores' sale prices. Queen-sized futon sofa/bed is $388 ($600 at online retailers).

Through Jan. 23: Designer Marketplace clearance sale (Mpls., 612-381-8508, Woodbury 651-731-8508, www.designermarketplacemn.com). An additional 25 percent off storewide and free delivery if total is over $1,000. Also Feb. 21-27.

26-29: Eversharp knife sharpening sale

(344 NE. Taft St., Mpls., 612-379-1300, www.ever sharpknives.com). Regular knives sharpened for $1, $2 for serrated and $3 for scissors (limit 10). A Wüsthof Emeril two-piece Santoku stamped blade set is $20, regularly $63.

28-30: Operation Glass Slipper dress sale (Wellstone Center, 179 E. Robie St., St. Paul, 651-994-7989, www.operationglassslipper.org). The nonprofit that provides free prom gowns and accessories to Twin Cities girls in need sells all-occasion dresses for $5 to $50, bridal gowns for $20 to $250, and flower girl dresses for $20 to $50.

29-Feb. 12: Rosenthal Contemporary Furniture annual clearance (22 N. 5th St., Mpls., 612-332-4363). Everything on the main floor is discounted an additional 25-50 percent, including art, bedding, rugs and furniture that might be discontinued, scratch and dent, or odds and ends but not "special purchase."

31-Feb. 6: Gallery 360 storewide sweet sale (3011 W. 50th St., Mpls., 612-925-2400, www.gallery360mpls.com). Handmade works from local artists discounted 20 percent, including art, jewelry, pottery, glass and tile.

FEBRUARY12: Arc's Value Village thrift stores storewide 50 percent off sale (four locations including Richfield, 612-861-9550, www.arcvaluevillage.com). Also May 30.

15-18: Chocolat Celeste post-Valentine's Day sale (652 Transfer Road, Suite 16A, St. Paul, 651-644-3823, www.chocolatceleste.com). Thirty percent off all truffles and bonbons at the high-end chocolate shop and its website (use code VDAYSALE).

19: Nordstrom Rack large-size shoe event (Mall of America, 952-854-3131; Maple Grove, 763-898-5300). The Nordstrom outlet offers an additional selection of women's shoes in sizes 10 1/2 to 13 and men's sizes 14 to 16. On May 12, a women's contemporary sale with True Religion and Rock & Republic.

MARCH10-12: Sale Room @ IMS anniversary sale (275 Market St., Suite 196, Mpls., 612-877-4173, www.thesaleroom-ims.com). Floor samples from IMS showrooms already discounted 40 to 80 percent get an additional 10 percent markdown.

12-13: Warners' Stellian extreme warehouse sale (550 Atwater Circle, St. Paul, 651-222-0011, www. warnersstellian.com). Overstocks and scratch-and-dent appliances offered near or below wholesale prices. Manufacturer warranties apply, but all sales are final.

APRIL1-3, 7-10: Gage & Gage gift wrapping/accessories sale (660 Industrial Circle, Shakopee, 952-233-2081, www.gagewarehousesale.com). Bows 25 cents or less, gift boxes 20 cents to $2, gift bags 10 cents to $2, ribbon, tissue, wrapping paper, napkins and paper plates. New: beach bags ($9) and matching hats ($4).

7-9: North Aire Market gourmet foods warehouse sale (1157 S. Valley Park Dr., Shakopee, 952-496-2887). Maggie and Mary's dry gourmet soups ($4), cheeseball mixes ($3) and smoothie mixes ($3) sell for 40 percent less than in retail stores. New: Carrot cake cheeseball mix and Camp Traditions soups.

14-16: David Rosenberg's spring/summer sample sale (location to be determined, 612-343-3221). Women's, men's and kids' midline clothing and jewelry at or below wholesale cost.

15-16: From Yours to Mine kids consignment sale (Hasse Hockey Arena, 8525 W. 215th St., Lakeville, 952-564-7566, www.fromyourstomine.com). Admission $1 or a nonperishable food item on Fri. Sale includes kids' clothes, toys and accessories. For a list of all Twin Cities kids' consignment spring sales, go to www.twincitieskidssales.com.

27: Aldi hanging basket promotion (21 Twin Cities locations, www.aldi.us). Ten-inch hanging flower baskets for $6 (impatiens, begonias and assorted). More hanging basket sales starting May 11.

28-30: Sample It spring/summer clothing sale (Days Inn, 7851 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, 612-377-6967, www.sampleitsale.com). Clothing and accessories for kids, juniors and adults, including Billabong, Volcom and Quiksilver. Additional 25 percent off on the last day.

MAY1: Totally Kids' furniture and toys storewide sale (7876 Portland Av. S., Bloomington, 952-881-2425, www.shoptotallykids.com). Storewide 25 percent discount on kids' bunk beds, theme beds, college lofts,

21: Fun Sisters annual tent sale (4253 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls., 612-822-9872, www.thefunsisters.com). Save 50 percent or more on purses, jewelry and shoes. Nothing over $15.

25-June 5: Nordstrom Half-Yearly sale for women and kids (Mall of America, Bloomington, 952-883-2121, www.nordstrom.com). Also Men's Half-Yearly sale, June 17-28.

26-30: Half-Price Books 20 percent off everything sale (seven Twin Cities locations including Coon Rapids, 763-784-1500, www.halfpricebooks.com).

JUNE4: Linder's Greenhouse flower marts plant sale (651-488-1927 or www.linders.com/flowermarts/locations). Thirty-three percent off all perennials, annuals and shrubs at the 40-plus flower marts. Also, everything will be 50 percent off starting June 15.

10-12: Cooks of Crocus Hill annual garage sale (877 Grand Av., St. Paul, 651-228-1333, www. cooksofcrocushill.com). Clearance, samples, closeouts and discontinued items, store fixtures and school cookware discounted 50 to 75 percent.