Over the Labor Day weekend, nearly all retailers — and especially big-box retailers — issue store-wide discounts on a variety of merchandise. The primary goal is to draw in as many consumers as possible. This helps the retailers to get rid of excess summer inventory and make room for fall and winter merchandise, along with boosting sales revenues. However, those shopping during Labor Day weekend sales should remain savvy about what kinds of items they buy and keep in mind that patience often will pay off by allowing them to keep more dollars in their wallets for the inevitable post-Thanksgiving shopping season. Labor Day weekend is generally one of the ideal times to find good deals, but it's also easy for shoppers to make a mistake and miss out on the best bargains. Knowing which products to buy, and which to avoid, is key to meaningful savings. Buying electronics during the Labor Day holiday, specifically televisions and home-theater systems, seems reasonable, particularly for consumers who want to prepare for football season.
However, it is advisable to hold-off on such items. What seem like deep discounts are often the result of prior price markups. Prices on televisions and other electronics, such as digital cameras, GPS systems and smartphones, typically will be much lower later in the season. Most consumers find it a reasonable play to purchase discounted fall clothing in September to prepare for the changing season. Most retailers count on customers with this mindset to drive up consumer spending in this area and generally put effort into marketing 10 to 30% discounts on coats, sweaters, boots and other cold-weather-themed garments. The truth is that consumers will likely get more bang for their buck by waiting to make such buys until late November and early December, when discounts on this type of apparel usually go as high as 50%. Many consumers make the assumption that discounts on toys in September are their best bet for getting good deals before the Christmas-holiday rush. The reality is that procrastination in this area could be prudent.
Retailers often increase discounts on last year’s toys in early December, to make room on the shelves for the latest season’s lineup. Although Labor Day sales are the unofficial notice of the end of summer, sales on gas grills at this time don't typically represent the best values that consumers can get on these items. Grills may be discounted by up to 25 to 50% on Labor Day weekend; however, consumers are frequently better served by waiting a few weeks longer, when grill prices generally fall another 25% with the arrival of October. Bakers and cooks often see Labor Day sales as the perfect time to stock up on cookware in preparation for Thanksgiving and holiday feasts. The best deals — usually 20 to 50% better than Labor Day sales — for small kitchen appliances, cutlery, bakeware and similar items, can often be found later in the year, typically in November and December. Major appliances, such as refrigerators and dishwashers, are often at their best values over Labor Day weekend, but consumers should be prepared to hunt for bargains and compare prices;
most businesses will match competitors' prices to win customers. For the best value, consider stores such as The Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) and Lowe’s Companies Inc. (NYSE: LOW), which may offer to match prices with their competitors, or take an additional 10% off their competitors' prices. Mattresses are another good buy over the holiday weekend, when stores usually take up to 60% off certain models. Shipping costs can add up, and in some cases may nullify the discount completely, so being prepared to carry the mattress home, or negotiate free delivery, is key. Labor Day weekend is also a good time to stock up on heavily discounted summer clothing. Retailers need to make room for cold-weather apparel, so consumers can typically find warm-weather items for up to 70 to 80% off.Many of us don’t get enough sleep. One in three adults are sleep-deprived, according to a Centers of Disease Control and Prevention study. Some hard-working people are too busy to get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep.
Others go to bed at a decent time, only to toss and turn for most of the night. If you fall into the latter category, your mattress could be part of the problem.See the average budget for someone in your neighborhood.So if you’re thinking about investing in a new one, you might want to wait. Here’s a breakdown of the best time to buy a mattress and how much you can expect to spend.How much does the average mattress cost? Prices vary depending on factors like the size and type of mattress you’re buying. , an independent site that provides mattress reviews and advice for consumers. But the cost of spring mattresses can range from $100 to $2,000. After all, a king-sized bed costs much more than a twin-sized bed.Memory foam mattresses cost $1,370, on average, with prices ranging from $100 to $4,000 or higher. Air mattresses are one of the most expensive kinds of mattresses. The average air mattress costs $2,180, with prices ranging from around $500 to $4,000 or higher.Shoppers who are on a budget can find cheap mattresses at stores such as Ikea and Tuft & Needle.
that sell low-priced brands. Another option is to try to buy a mattress when it’s most likely to be on sale. , consumers can expect new mattress models to arrive between the months of May and September. Therefore, May is one of the best times to buy a mattress. As the new mattresses roll in, it’s possible to snag a great deal on one of the older models that retailers are trying to get rid of. Buying the older inventory when the new products show up is a strategy that could also work if you’re trying to get a discount on another household item or a new car.In addition to May, Consumer Reports notes that February is a good time to look for a mattress. Some of the best sales of the year pop up near Presidents’ Day. If you miss those clearance events, you can find markdowns on mattresses around other holidays, such as Labor Day and the Fourth of July.If you’re opposed to spending thousands of dollars on a mattress, there are other ways to save money besides shopping during a certain time of year.
One strategy is simple: Visit the store and talk your way into getting a discount. Speaking with sales representatives in-person will likely be more effective than trying to haggle over the phone.While it may take time, comparison shopping is also a good idea. Checking out online ratings for certain brands can be helpful if you don’t know where to start. Plus, that’ll help you get a sense of what prices look like for specific types of mattresses. When thinking about how much you can afford to spend, you’ll also need to factor in what different stores charge for delivering mattresses.When you’re ready to commit to buying a mattress, don’t be tricked into paying more than you need to. By doing your research, you’ll be well-versed on what matters (like choosing a mattress with the right kind of support based on your sleeping style) and what doesn’t (like the kind of material that covers the mattress).Keep in mind that the most expensive mattresses aren’t necessarily the best products.