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Memorial Day sales: What to buy and what to skip

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Charis Brown | May 22nd, 2018

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If you’re out and about shopping this Memorial Day weekend, you might be wondering what’s really a good deal and what’s not. A bargain shopper’s greatest fear is spending their hard-earned money on something, then finding it at a better price later on!

To avoid this quandary, here are some tips on what to look out for this Memorial Day weekend.

What to buy on Memorial Day Weekend

Outdoor furniture

Patio furniture and outdoor dining sets are being heavily promoted right now, due to the weather getting warmer and demand increasing. You can find a few good deals on outdoor furniture during Memorial Day sales, such as this Garden Oasis 7-piece outdoor dining set for $269.99 after coupon or this 6-piece Mosaic outdoor dining set for $100 at Academy Sports. However, you’ll also find closeout deals on outdoor furniture at the beginning of fall as the weather gets cooler and people spend less time outdoors.

Grills

If you broke out the grill only to discover it was in serious need of repair or irretrievably broken, it might be time to take a look at a new grill! There are some decent sales on grills right now, but October is also a great time to shop for grills as the summer grilling season winds down. For example, The Home Depot is offering the Nexgrill 5-burner propane gas grill for $149 right now, a savings of $50.

Appliances

Memorial Day weekend is one of the best times to buy appliances from retailers like The Home Depot, Lowe’s and Sears — but it’s not the only time. Though you’ll find savings from these stores up to 40% off, you’ll also find great deals around Labor Day and Black Friday. However, if you’re willing to take a scratch and dent appliance, you can save a ton! Here’s how.

Mattresses

Mattress retailers are cranking up the savings on mattresses. Mattresses are typically the best deal around Memorial Day, the 4th of July and Labor Day, among other holidays. February is also a great month to buy a mattress, according to Consumer Reports.

For more on how to pick the best mattress for you, check out Clark’s guide on the best mattresses for your money. Sam’s Club is offering some great deals on mattresses for Memorial Day right now!

Cars

As it turns out, May is one of the best months to buy a new car, according to True Car — as is October, November and December. This is due to new models of the following year beginning to arrive in June. If you’re thinking of buying new, Clark says sedans are a super deal right now.

If you want to save the most money on the car, check out why Clark says it’s best to buy used.

What to skip

Generally speaking, TVs, electronics, laptops and tools are not the best deal right now, so it may be best to wait for these types of items.

Tools

When it comes to tools, we’ve seen prices increase on some tools but decrease on other tools over the last several months. But heading into Father’s Day, prices on tools are expected to drop. Be on the lookout for tool deals at stores such as The Home Depot, Lowe’s Home Improvement and Sears!

TVs

TVs are generally the best deal around Black Friday or in January before the Super Bowl — especially if you’re looking for a brand name. But if you’re like Clark and you don’t care so much about the brand, there are a few deals around on TVs, like this 65″ 4k TV for $399 this week at Fry’s Electronics.

Laptops

Laptops are typically the best deal around the back-to-school season and heading into the Black Friday shopping season, so it may be best to wait for a deal on a laptop, unless you find a good one-off deal.

Furniture

Since new furniture styles come out in the spring, January and February is the best time to take a look at furniture to get the best price. Definitely skip this category unless you find a great one-off deal! However, if you plan on buying used (usually a fraction of the cost of buying new), yard sales are in full swing and you might have some luck finding gently-used furniture at a huge discount.

When it comes to getting the best deal, the best rule of thumb is to always price check and do tons of research on the item you plan to buy before taking the plunge.