Since 1971, Memorial Day has been observed as an extended weekend away from work–and the unofficial start of summer. But is about more than that: this day honors all the service-people who died in the service of their country. It stands as a day dedicated to memorialize those precious lives lost. Many spend their time off visiting war memorials or participating in local parades.
More recently, however, Memorial Day has also turned into a second Black Friday for retailers, each offering loads of sale events in stores and online,and each promising to save you heaps of money. Lots of these sales will run for a full two weeks, starting a week before Memorial Day (which falls on May 27 this year) and continuing until the end of the month.
As always, though, not every marked-down product is actually a bargain. In fact, you can sometimes get the same product a lot cheaper by waiting a few months—or even just a few weeks. Part of our commitment to our members is talking about finances- especially around the shopping-heavy holidays. If you know what to shop for, and you’re careful to stick to what you need and can afford, you can find some great deals.
Let’s take a look at what to buy and what to skip this Memorial Day weekend.
Buy: Outdoor essentials
Get ready to welcome summer with outdoor gear like grills, lawn mowers, mulch, ladders, and more, which may be marked down as much as 50% at stores. Online retailers host similar events and may offer free two-day shipping in honor of the summer season kickoff.
Skip: Electronics
You’re going to see lots of "crazy-low deals" on gaming consoles, laptops, and tablets around Memorial Day weekend. But, unless you need one now, it’s better to wait it out. You’ll find even better deals on electronics during Black Friday season, when retailers are looking to clear out last year’s models to make room for the newer inventory. If you need your electronics sooner than November, you may consider waiting until July, when many retailers host “Black Friday in July” events that feature steep discounts on electronics.
Buy: Furniture
Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to spruce up both the inside and outside of your home with new furniture. You can snag a great deal on a fully-loaded patio set, pick up a comfortable sofa, and even swap your old mattresses for new ones, all at great prices. You may need to use a coupon code to qualify for the reduced price, so be sure to check out a retailer’s website before hitting the store.
Skip: TVs
Don’t make the mistake of picking up a new TV in May just because you found one at an excellent price. Most marked-down TVs you’ll find around Memorial Day are older models with outdated features. You can find much better deals on newer models in November or January.
Buy: Tires
Preparing the family car for a summer road trip? You’ll find the year’s best prices on tires around Memorial Day weekend.
Skip: Swimwear
Don’t splurge on swimwear and other summer apparel just yet. Wait until June, or even mid-summer if you can swing it, for the steepest discounts.
Buy: Appliances and home décor
Retailers and manufacturers alike offer markdowns on large household appliances, like refrigerators, dishwashers, and ovens, at the end of May. Hold onto your receipts, as you may need to mail them to the manufacturer for a cash-back rebate. You can also score a deal on home décor products, like light fixtures, flooring, and kitchen essentials, at Memorial Day sale events.
Now that you know what to buy and what to skip this Memorial Day, you can kick off the season of poolside barbecues and aimless road trips by snagging some great deals!
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