Can't read the text above?Try another text or an audio CAPTCHAText in the box:What's this?Let friends in your social network know what you are reading aboutTwitterGoogle+LinkedInPinterestPosted!A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Presidents Day pops up on our calendar just after we’ve taken down our heart-shaped Valentine’s Day decorations and just before we plan our spring break vacations. But the often-overlooked holiday may offer up significant savings on some of life’s necessities.If you’ve been putting off purchasing a mattress, furniture or major appliance, here’s what you should know about shopping over Presidents Day weekend.What to buy (and skip)Presidents Day is Feb. 20, but sales will start before the holiday and last for at least a few days after. Plan your shopping accordingly, especially if the item you want is in high demand.Furniture tops our list of worthwhile purchases. Historically, department stores discount their home departments during the holiday weekend.
Last Presidents Day, J.C. Penney took 40% to 60% off furniture and mattresses, Wayfair discounted home furniture by up to 70% and Target took 25% off rugs and bedding online.This year, Joss & Main shoppers can use code EXTRA20 between Feb. 15 and 23 to take an additional 20% off home categories, including rugs, outdoor furniture, bedding and wall art.The most amazing Presidents Day sales are on home appliancesIs there mail on Presidents Day? A look at what’s closedAppliances will also be a bargain. If you spring for a major purchase, check for free shipping and delivery offers, which could save you a considerable amount.Feb. 15 through 28 at home improvement store Lowe’s select appliances will be up to 30% off.The weekend will be a prime opportunity for savings on mattresses and winter clothing, says consumer psychologist Kit Yarrow, professor emeritus at Golden Gate University and author of Decoding the New Consumer Mind: How and Why We Shop and Buy. She calls Presidents Day an undervalued shopping holiday.
Presidents Day sale events offer a chance to nab a discount on something you really need, but think twice before you start spending your Benjamins. For instance, deals on spring items won’t be so hot. They’re less likely to be discounted than winter products because they’ve just been released.“My advice to shoppers is to think carefully about the item, not just the price,” Yarrow said in an email. “It's all too common to get overly excited about a discount and buy more than you need or something that's not quite right.”Where to goOnce you’ve narrowed down your shopping list, decide where to go. Here are additional deals available over the weekend:Ashley HomeStore: Through Feb. 20, get 25% off online purchases of $3,000 or more, among other savings. Best Buy: Save $300 on select gaming PCs and $200 on select MacBook Air 13-inch models.Cabela’s: Shop discounts on sofas, recliners, TV stands and more in the Presidents Day Furniture Sale.Converse: Feb. 17 through 20, take an additional 40% off clearance sneakers in store at Converse Factory locations.
Valid on select clearance styles. See store associate for complete details.La-Z-Boy: Find sale prices on recliners, sectionals and more both online and in store.Mattress Firm: Through Feb. 26, or while supplies last, save up to $500 storewide. Selection may vary by store.National Park Service: On Feb. 20, get free admission to National Park Service sites that normally charge an entrance fee.Overstock: Feb. 17 through 23, get an extra 20% off area rugs and mattresses and an extra 10% off bedding and bath, among other sale categories.Sears: Through Feb. 26, save up to 40% on appliances and up to 30% on vacuums.Sleep Train: Save up to $400 on Beautyrest mattress sets through Feb. 26.Visit your local store or check online for full redemption details, including possible exclusions.RELATED: ‘Buy online, pick up in store’ is a double-edged dealMap out a year’s worth of shopping right nowWhat to buy (and skip) in FebruaryCourtney Jespersen is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website.
NerdWallet is a USA TODAY content partner providing general news, commentary and coverage from around the web. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY., and even eBay after Christmas to sell them at discounted prices. • Wrapping paper: Stores slash prices on gift wrap, holiday cards, and Christmas decorations in the weeks following the busy shopping season. they'll keep till next year. • Bed linens: Retailers offer deep discounts on sheets, towels, and blankets in January. "White sales" actually date back to 1878, when a Philadelphia department store held a “White Sale” on linens to help keep linen makers in business during a slow period. • Computer: Starting in January, keep an eye on PC prices; companies offer discounts on older models to prepare for the upcoming release of the newest systems. February: Best time to buy furniture, washer and dryer, wedding items• Wedding: Tying the knot in this off-season month means taking full advantage of discounted prices on reception venues, catering, and photography.
Plan around the Presidential holidays, though, and beware of nasty weather. • Air conditioner: During cold weather months, many appliance stores offer units at cheap prices—if you can find them. • Furniture: New inventory hits showrooms in February, so retailers often offer deals around now. Politely negotiate on good-condition floor models, and you can often pay much less than cost. • Washer and dryer: New models arrive in winter, meaning you'll spot deals on last year's appliances. Don't be afraid to haggle. March: Best time to buy luggage, a camera, golf clubs• Frozen foods: March is National Frozen Foods Month, a large-scale marketing campaign that encourages grocers to offer price-cuts and coupons all month long. • Luggage: Retailers such as Walmart, Macy's, and Sears discount luggage before travel-heavy spring and summer. • Boats: It's the tail end of boat-show season. • Golf clubs: The season tees off in early spring, meaning last year's irons are on sale.
• Digital camera: Consumer Reports advises snapping up a digital camera in March and April—sales are best.• Vacuum cleaners: Most new models come out in June, so retailers discount old vacuums now—just in time for spring cleaning. • Thrift stores: People clearing out closets means a larger, fresher selection. • Winter clothing: Spring collections hit stores, and cold-weather clothes are often dramatically marked down for clearance. May: Best time to buy appliances, a gym membership• Spring clothing: Memorial Day sales include discounted clothing and home goods at department stores, apparel retailers, and big-box stores. • Gym memberships: Whether New Year’s resolutions are history, or outside exercise is possible, gyms offer discounts to bring in more bodies. • Cookware and dishes: Kitchen items make popular gift choices during graduation and wedding season, and stores often run sales. • Refrigerators: Spring is refrigerator season! Last year's appliances will be discounted to clear the showroom.
turn over inventory this month, and hold storewide sales. • Laptops: Back-to-school laptop sales actually start as early as June, often bundling the computers with a printer or a gift card. • Caribbean vacation: With the beginning of the Caribbean hurricane season, you'll see steep discounts on vacation packages and cruises. • Tools: You can score plenty of good deals—right before Father's Day. July: Best time to buy jewelry, ice cream• Summer apparel: In the middle of the season you'll start to see prices start to drop. • Picnic supplies: Once the 4th of July has passed, pick up discounted picnic and party supplies. • Ice cream: July is National Ice Cream Month; scoop up coupons from both local stores and online deal sites. • Jewelry: With no major holidays in July and August, jewelers offer lower prices to lure in customers. August: Best time to buy office supplies, grills• Grills: You'll see huge deals, especially on big outdoor grills. It’s not too late for cookouts!
• Office supplies: Retailers roll out the discounts on backpacks, notebooks, and dorm supplies for back to school. • Bathing suits: Stores might have had sales around the 4th of July, and most of the selection is picked over. But if you see your size, the price will be right. September: Best time to buy a car, airline tickets, a mattress, a bike• Patio furniture: Major sales on outdoor furniture, which needs to be cleared out—often for Christmas items, as that season gets pushed up earlier each year. • Cars: Car dealers promote deals on current vehicles to make room for the newest ones. • Bikes: New bicycle models come out at the end of the summer riding season, so check out discounts on last year’s bikes. • Airline tickets: Book your holiday flights now for the best chance on finding low prices. • A mattress: Many mattress companies boast big Labor Day sales, though if you miss out, similar sales run around President's Day and Memorial Day. October: Best time to buy toys, jeans• Jeans: Denim left over from back-to-school sales get discounted for a short time before holiday shopping begins.
• Outdoor goods: Score deals on lawnmowers, gardening tools, and even camping supplies. • Toys: Toy stores sometimes offer sales ahead of the holiday season. November: Best time to buy a TV, small appliances, candy• Candy: Grocery stores discount Halloween-themed candy in November, and it still tastes just as sweet. • Gadgets: Black Friday and Cyber Monday (which might extend the entire week) are prime opportunities to score very inexpensive TVs, Mp3 players, small appliances, and more. • Free turkey: Some grocery stores give away Thanksgiving-ready turkeys when customers spend a certain amount. Keep an eye on your weekly circulars. December: Best time to buy Champagne, athletic gear• Champagne: Competition actually drives prices down during the holiday season, not up. The peak month of December is the best time to spend on bubbly. • (Lousy) NFL merchandise: If your team isn't even close to the Super Bowl, gear will be discounted. Better luck next year. • Athletic apparel and equipment: Stores slash prices in the weeks before January 1, when they can cash in on New Year's resolutions.