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"  April sees discounts on some big-ticket purchases \u2014 think old electronics moving out to make way for new models and spring-cleaning deals. It&amp;#039;s Earth Month too, so look for all sorts of freebies and markdowns on green cleaners, recycled paper products, energy-efficient lighting, and more! 1. Digital Cameras: Retailers discount last year&amp;#039;s models in the spring to make way for new ones. Here are tips for choosing a sharp shooter:  Stop counting megapixels (MP). For most uses, 10MP is probably plenty \u2014 they can produce great prints up to 11&amp;quot; by 14&amp;quot;.  Splurge on a good zoom instead. A lens with a high optical zoom is worth the investment: 5x is good; 10x is excellent. (Ignore digital zoom, though. It can yield pixelated photos.)  Look for image stabilization. Again, optical (rather than digital) image stabilization is the way to go, to help prevent blurry action shots.  Consider the features. Look for things like low-light sensitivity; a generous viewing screen; a &amp;quot;burst&amp;quot; mode for taking rapid-fire shots; smile, blink, or face detection for capturing groups; and HD video recording (720 is good, 1080 is better).  Target is offering deep discounts on Nikon, Canon, and Sony models online and in stores (think $50-$100 off digital-SLRs and $20-$50 off compact models). Kmart has point-and-shoots from Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic, and more for up to half off.  2. Vacuums: Once spring has sprung, you can scoop up a great discount on a new vac. To find the best spring-cleaning companion:  Choose your type. An upright is generally best if you have lots of carpeting and/or you plan to use it on just one level of your home. A canister is easier to use on (and carry up and down) stairs; it also does a better job on bare floors.  Pick bagged or bagless. No-bag vacs are temptingly simple and let you avoid the added cost of replacement bags, but if allergies are an issue, a bag can keep dust contained. For the really sensitive, a model with a HEPA filter traps finer particles.  Take a test run. Push around a display model: Do you like the way it handles? Also, fully extend the attachment hose to see if the vac tips over easily.  Sears is offering 5% off across all home appliances as part of its Springs Savings Event. We spotted vacuum cleaners at an additional $20-$180 off. Pick up a Bissell, Shark, or Dirt Devil at Macy&amp;#039;s for up to $110 off.  3. Green Products: In honor of Earth day, expect to find plenty of discounts on environmentally friendly cleaners and recycled paper products. To get the most bang for your buck:  Look for concentrated formulas. You can stretch your dollars \u2014 and the cleaner \u2014 by using refillable cleaners. Products like VIP winner Replenish use less packaging and go a long way; just mix with water to dilute before using.  Consider the ingredients. Even &amp;quot;green&amp;quot; formulas can contain skin and eye irritants, so you&amp;#039;ll need to handle and store them accordingly. For laundry, &amp;quot;free &amp;amp;amp; clear&amp;quot; formulations are better for anyone who has fragrance or skin sensitivities and detergents with enzymes will be the best stain fighters.  Check the facts. Toilet paper and paper towels can claim to be &amp;quot;recycled&amp;quot; even if they contain a small amount of repurposed post-consumer materials. If the percentage is important to you, be sure to check the packaging. (Important to note: While recycled toilet paper and paper towels didn&amp;#039;t top either of our tests, they weren&amp;#039;t the worst performers either, and they&amp;#039;ll certainly get the job done!)  Spot the Green Good Housekeeping Seal. Recipients go through a rigorous evaluation for a wide range of criteria including use of materials, ingredients and composition, water, energy and waste reduction in manufacturing and packaging, distribution and corporate social responsibility, so you know you&amp;#039;re getting a truly environmentally friendly pick.  Be sure to check out Amazon&amp;#039;s Earth Day hub for green product deals and coupons and keep an eye out for freebies at some of your favorite local establishments. (Past participants have included Lowe&amp;#039;s, Chipotle, Starbucks, and Target.) For more great sale tips, be sure to check out our monthly calendar of sale items! "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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