Memorial Day is right around the corner, and with this national holiday (as with most here in America) comes a flurry of sales. If you’re not careful, you may find yourself going a bit crazy over all of the deals and steals. However, with a bit of planning and focus, you can come out the other end prepared for the summer ahead and hopefully under budget. Here are a few tips and tricks for navigating this sale extravaganza that has already begun in many stores.
First, ask what do you need? Is it time, or will it soon be time, for a new mattress, TV, or are you hoping to tackle a home project this summer? So often, when we think of a “sale,” apparel comes to the forefront (at least for me), but home goods and electronics also get massively reduced during Memorial Day Sales. Companies like Lowe’s offer window replacement, fencing, and HVAC deals to kick off the summer. Ashley Furniture also features substantial savings on big-ticket items such as sofas and dining room sets. HSN and QVC offer discounts on kitchen tools and appliances. And now is a great time to pick up a new mattress for less from companies like DreamCloud, Sealy, and Helix.
Next, look ahead to your summer plans to see if you can score deals on upcoming trips or activities. Travelocity has a search geared toward packages under $400, depending on your flexibility. If a big trip is not on your calendar, check now to see if you can get discount tickets for upcoming concerts, amusement park admissions, or Groupon deals for museums or attractions for fun day trips in the months ahead. You can even pick up discounted movie tickets to see a blockbuster in some cooling AC for a day date.
Wedding season is also upon us. If you haven’t already, check out the registries for any upcoming nuptials you’ll attend, whether this summer or later in the year, and utilize the store’s Memorial Day savings to grab your gift. Same goes for bridal and baby showers. You can also plan for birthday and Father’s Day gifts. Some thoughtful gift ideas to snag up now include custom prints/framing, meal kits, or a refurbished laptop or smartphone.
From home needs to personal needs, a good sale is the perfect opportunity to take stock of your closet. While it’s practical to take advantage of a deal for a new couch or kitchen appliance, it’s a bit more fun to refresh your wardrobe and beauty products. If you’ve already started switching your cold-weather apparel to warm-weather clothes, you may have identified gaps you need to fill for summer. Do you need a new bathing suit, sandals, or picnic shorts? Now is the time to stock up on basics for less before the searing temperatures hit. Or maybe you just want to indulge with a few fun additions like a trendy sundress or novelty-print cocktail shorts. Most of your favorite retailers will have sales on statement pieces as well as basics. Look for deeper discounts on items already on clearance and see if they also have deals on full-priced items. Many brands will offer more savings the more you spend, so be careful; you get may get $50 off when spending $200, but you’re still spending $150, so be mindful of your budget.
For beauty products, check out Ulta’s 50% on hair products and It Cosmetics 25% off sitewide with an additional 10% off sales products. Or, if you’re already a beauty box subscriber from companies like FitFabFun or Glossybox, check out their seasonal sales to discover new brands and products that would normally be too pricey to try.
Speaking of price, sales are an ideal time to check out luxury and designer brands if that’s an itch you’ve been dying to scratch. Elizabeth Arden’s Memorial Day Sale goes from May 30th-June 6th. There’s also a Saks Fifth Avenue fashion flash sale with savings of up to 25% on various designer products. Check out a brand’s factory or outlet site for sales and clearances for even more savings. That’s discounts upon discounts!
Last bit of advice. If you listen to podcasts, keep an ear out for the discount codes from their sponsors. Utilizing these codes not only gets you a good deal but it also helps support the program. Happy shopping!
