These Are 12 Things That Will Be Less Expensive in 2012

Because there are already dozens of articles focused on the failing economy and the financial crisis in the eurozone, The Blaze thought it would be a nice change of pace to look at something a bit more positive.

To help usher in the new year on a happier note, we’re giving you a list of things that will cost less in 2012. From wine (yes, even wine might see a notable downtick in price in the coming year) to laptops, the financially savvy shopper will do well to keep an eye on the following products.

Here is of a list of the products that will probably be cheaper in 2012 (block-quoted information via dealnews):

1. Apple iPad 2

The iPad 3 will not feature a significant price drop (if any at all), but one thing is guaranteed — Cupertino's forthcoming tablet will most certainly bring down the price of refurbished iPad 2s. (As the iPad 2 did for its predecessor.)

The iPad 3 may even cause resellers to offer more deals on new iPad 2 models as they try to move yesterday's tech to make room for Apple's latest and greatest.

2. Wine

Oenophiles, perk up! Wine connoisseur extraordinaire, Robert Parker, predicts the coming year to be the "Age of the Buyer" — a prolonged period of time with stable or declining wine prices. With less disposable income, folks have left wines priced at $30 and above untouched on store shelves. So to move stock, retailers are expected to offer more sales and even flash deals on wines.

Price is also affected by industry competition, as consumers note the quality-to-price ratio from wines originating in countries like Australia, Argentina, South Africa, and Chile. Aficionados should check out sites like Lot 18 for their boozy offerings.

3. Standalone GPS Units with Lifetime Maps

The smarter our phones get, the greater the number of gadgets they're capable of replacing. And no gadget is as close to extinction as the GPS unit. So it comes as no surprise to see manufacturers slash prices on standalone GPS units with lifetime / live maps.

Dealnews data shows that in 2011, units that were once fetching around $160 reached price-lows of just $70.

4. Android Tablets

The Kindle Fire has been Amazon's most successful product ever launched. The release of this groundbreaking tablet has, a-hem, ignited a fire among tablet manufacturers as they scramble to match Amazon's $199 price tag.

For consumers, the competition translates to better tablet bargains in 2012.

5. 3D HDTVs

3D HDTVs are a tough sell. Not only are they pricier than traditional CCFL-based LCDs and standalone LED-based sets, but they also require a bigger investment as you'll have to purchase 3D glasses, a 3D Blu-ray player, and 3D Blu-ray discs to get the most from your 3D TV.

In 2011, we saw prices for 55" 3D televisions drop 33 [percent] from $1,499 in January to $999 in December. The new year will bring an influx of new 3D TVs, which means vendors will try to combat lagging sales with discounts on 2011 3D HDTV models.

6. Car Rentals

Gas and airfare may be going up in 2012, but car rental rates are expected to remain flat, as agencies across the country reportedly have excess cars available.

More stock and subsequent competition is thus expected to keep rental rates low throughout the new year, and we anticipate to see an increase in the number of discounts on car and SUV rentals.

See six more things that will be cheaper in 2012 over at dealnews.