CLEVELAND – It’s 2013 and time to get our financial checkbooks in shape. Deals and offers are a great way to buy what you need without spending too much money.
Here’s a look at 11 things that are predicted to drop in price during 2013:
1. Microsoft Surface RT
The website dealnews, which tracks deals and prices on items, said the tablet will be offered in more retailers in 2013 which increases the chance for savings. Also, a more powerful Surface Pro will be released this month meaning the older generation Surface RT will likely go down.
2. Streaming video
Redbox will offer a streaming alternative to Netflix that will cost $8 a month. For that price, you’ll get four 1-day DVD rentals per month with unlimited streaming. It will be interesting to see how Redbox’s competitors react to the lower pricing strategy.
3. 60″ LCD HDTVs
Dealnews said Black Friday predictions for 60″ LCD HDTVs were 4 percent under the site’s prediction. Expect even more price drops in 2013.
4. Gaming
Ouya will be released this year which is a $99 game console unlike the $300+ systems we’ve grown accustomed to.
5. Solar costs
Lux Research reports the cost of making a part in solar panels is going down. Might be time to go green and get some solar panels.
6. AMD Laptops
dealnews believes the PC chip-maker may not make it through the year as it struggles with financial issues. That may lead to deep discounts on AMD-based laptops.
7. eBook
The Justice Department sued five publishers over eBook price fixing, and customers were refunded for purchases on select eBooks. At the time, Amazon also announced price reductions.
8. Shopping from your smartphone
Mobile shopping is on the rise. Some stores are now replacing those paper coupons with text messages full of coupons. That way you have the coupons in the palm of your hand when you need them rather than on your refrigerator or at home in a pile. The deals and promotions via smartphones is expected to just get bigger.
9. Hard drives
Dealnews said hard drive prices were high in 2012, but the discounts started in November and are expected through 2013.
10. Smartphone
Apple products don’t usually get discounted too much, so news of deep discounts on the Apple iPhone 5 raise questions about when the next one will arrive on the market. Reports indicate it could be May or June. This trend shows how much the technology is changing. Just when you buy one phone, it’s outdated. The one upside: this push for the next big thing brings discounts.
11. Gas prices
Deutsche Bank is predicting gas prices will drop to $70 per barrel this year. This means lower gas prices.
