AP Photo/The Sacramento Bee, Randall Benton

Black Friday and holiday sales are behind us, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still bargains to be had. Savvy shoppers know not to overlook the month of January. There are a few pricey items that wait until the beginning of the year to go on sale. Treat yourself to something special without breaking your budgeting resolutions.

Starting midnight PT on Black Friday, Apple will host its one-day sale, taking 10 to 15 percent off all sorts of Apple goodies. Mashable provides a link to the leaked brochure that has a breakdown of what people can expect, including $101 savings on Macbook computers, iPads discounted about $50-ish, and deals on various accessories.

Fact: you’re not going to save a ton of cash. But you’re not going to see another Apple sale either. So beggars be not choosers. Still, compared to other blockbuster deals that are sure to be offered at other retailers, those who were hoping to buy Apple products — for themselves or others — over the holidays may see a chunk of their budgets spent on these items.

Will you be buying anything?

Image: iStockphoto

Love those shoes but don’t want to pay $120? Making a deal for new office equipment and want a discount? Whatever you are buying, you can bargain for a better price, according to an article in MSN.com.

“Here in the United States, haggling over a purchase is often confined to yard sales and flea markets. But there’s no reason you can’t apply your haggling skills to any potential purchase. Not only will you find that you get greater value for your dollar, but you might also decide that shopping is more fun with a little friendly negotiation,” writes MSN.

Before you ask for a deal, do some window shopping for the same item in other stores. Then figure out your target price, making an offer that is not ridiculously low. And check for damage on the item you intend to purchase. “Whether it’s clothing or a refrigerator, even minor damage should mean a lower price,” advises MSN.

Be prepared to walk away from the negotiations if you are not getting the price you want. Walking away may also make the salesperson waver because she doesn’t want to lose a sale.

Let the salesperson know you have cash in hand. “Using cash to pay for your purchase adds about one percent to the seller’s profit margin,” states MSN.

There are also certain times to get good results in bargaining. “Most sellers are more willing to deal when an item is going out of season, out of style or out of model year. If you can help the seller reduce unwanted inventory, you can increase the value of any offer you make,” says the article. “Sometimes salespeople or stores have monthly sales quotas. And there may be additional financial advantages for them to complete a sale, so deals may be a little easier to snag near a deadline.”

Be friendly and polite with the salesperson. The more the salesperson likes you, the more willing the will be to cut you a deal. But if the salesperson unwilling to bargain, ask for the store manager.

Still, if you can’t get the price of the item lowered, MSN suggests asking for a free accessory or free delivery.

Don’t be a hardcore haggler. Play the deal making light, easy and pressure free. If you stress out the salesperson they’ll be less willing to make a deal with you.

Have you ever successfully gotten a deal by negotiating with a salesperson? Let us know about it.

Image: Comstock

A Los Angeles restaurant, Eva Restaurant, is offering diners a five percent discount off their bill if they agree to turn over their mobile phones to the hostess at the beginning of the meal. The restaurant’s chef/owner, Mark Gold, estimates that 40 to 50 percent of patrons have taken advantage of the deal. For him, setting aside the cell phone is part of the restaurant’s experience.

“Eva is really about family and being at home. We just want people to connect again,” he told CNNMoney.

Another restaurant in D.C. also had a policy prohibiting mobile phones until about six months ago, which they enforced with a two-page contract. Now, they’ve decided that the quick, occasional phone check isn’t so bad. The Instagram photos might actually be good PR for the restaurant.

Loud conversations and mobile phone sounds certainly can be an unwelcome distraction in a restaurant dining room. But there is a fine line that restaurant owners are walking with their customers when they try to impose rules about personal conduct.

There are parents and business professionals who want to be accessible in case of an emergency. There are some who, taking the hard line, simply think that if they’re paying for the experience, they should be able to use their mobile devices. And then there are the habits of a mobile population.

A recent study found that participants on average check their mobile devices 34 times per day. At this point, scientists say it’s done out of habit more so than need. Which could mean that relinquishing the device for a couple of hours would be a good thing. Or it could mean that being without their mobile would send some people over the edge.

Which side of the issue do you fall? According to OpenSignalMaps, if you’re in these 10 cities, it won’t make a difference because the your phone probably won’t work anyway. Sorry Oklahoma City.

More on Madame Noire Business!

• The Number of Black-Owned Businesses, and the Need for Resources, Is Growing
• The Rules About Licensing for Hair Braiding Are Shifting Across the U.S.
• Women, Minority Businesses Face an Added Burden of Proof
• Brandy, Pick It Up: Old Content Strategies Don’t Cut It Anymore
• http://madamenoire.com/198197/how-to-tackle-office-enemies/“>How to Start a Business In… Newark, N.J.
• Here are the Five Highest Paying Jobs You Don’t Need a Bachelor’s Degree to Do

Image: Wavebreak Media

Do your back-to-school shopping during your state’s “tax holiday.” Not every state has one, but if yours does, or you live within traveling distance to a state with a tax break, it might be worth it to make the trek. (As long as you don’t spend more money on gas getting there.) Among the states with a tax holiday are Florida, New York, and Maryland. No matter where you are in the country, you can also follow these money-saving back-to-school tips. Maybe there’s a trip to the outlets in your future?

And, just an FYI, some states also have tax breaks on things other than back-to-school items.

Use a credit card with a good warranty program. We depend on so many gadgets. And if one of them breaks, it’s costly to replace. CardHub.com has analyzed the pros and cons of the different cards to find the ones with the best programs. Amex and Discover topped the list.

Get health insurance. Planned Parenthood has pulled together an infographic that outlines the benefits for women of the Affordable Care Act. Did you know that half of women put off doctor visits because of the cost? And more than two-thirds of women pay more out-of-pocket expenses than men? Since the law was passed this year, 45 million women have been promised no co-pays for preventative care. And nearly five million women will get tax credits to help pay for insurance.

Save on energy costs. Using energy efficient light bulbs, making sure your air conditioner is in good working order and unplugging appliances that use power even when they’re off. These are just a few of the ways you can save on your energy bill.

Follow these tips and spend less at Target. Because you know you can’t walk out of there on a normal day without spending at least $100. Put the markdown schedule in your calendar!

Become a freegan. The freegan movement has been on the rise for the past few years, but it’s hitting the mainstream these days via Project Runway. One of this season’s designers, Fabio Costa, is a proud freegan. So what is a freegan? A person who cuts down on consumption, environmental impact and cost by dumpster diving, participating in swaps, scouring Craigslist’s free section, squatting and foraging. Learn more on this Freegan website.

Prepare for a move to Niagra Falls. Starting this fall, Niagra Falls, NY will try to attract young professionals with $3,942 (up to $6,984 over two years) for to help pay student loan debt. Recipients have to live in the downtown area and should be in the clear with landlords, mortgage brokers and student loan administrators. Funding for this program will last for two years and subsidize 20 recipients. Who doesn’t want a view of the Falls?