A good night’s sleep means the day ahead is that much easier, breezier, and relaxed. No one wants to wake up with a backache or try to fall asleep on a mattress that’s bumpier than the forest floor. If you feel like you’re stuck in a new rendition of “The Princess and the Pea,” it might be time to buy a new mattress. Memorial Day weekend is historically one of the best times of the year to buy a mattress, but it’s still important for you to be prepared with purchasing knowledge before you set foot in the store. Labor Day weekend in September is also one of the best times to buy a new mattress. Find out what other great September deals you can expect to find, plus many more in our monthly deals guide! I’ve spent my career talking about saving money, but I also believe that there are certain things that you should invest in. A mattress is one of those items. A good night’s sleep is priceless and a mattress isn’t something you buy every year. So, working within your budget to buy the best bed you can afford is important.
That said, of course you still want to get the best deal on your dream mattress! Here are some tips on how to buy a mattress for the perfect night’s sleep. I recently purchased two and here’s what I learned! This is because the same mattress may be at two different stores, but under a different name and model. Manufacturers oftentimes will create a mattress for a particular retailer under a certain name. So, make sure you go into the store and test the floor models out. Some salespeople will know the inside scoop on comparing, but many times they won’t have this information. Keep in mind a floor model may have been on the sales floor for months, so it may be much softer than the one you would receive. Make sure you ask a knowledgeable salesperson how long the mattress has been on the floor and how much firmer your new one would be. You can negotiate prices at a mattresses store. I recently found a store website that had a special offer online. I brought in the offer and the store honored it as well as an additional discount.
If they won’t nudge on the price, ask for free delivery, rails, sheets, or even pillows. In some stores, you can save big bucks on floor models and some past returned items. These mattresses are sanitized and resold. If you decide to go this route, ask the store to honor a guarantee and warranty on the structure of the mattress. I’ve exchanged mattresses in the past, and many mattress stores will allow you to return or exchange your mattress if it isn’t comfortable. Most will ask you to give it several weeks to months to see if the mattress will break in for you before returning. Ask about restocking and pick-up fees so that you are aware of any associated costs. Make sure you understand the warranty and what it covers. It should be at least 10 years. Find out if the cost of the mattress includes the rails. If it does, great! If not, ask if your current rails will work with the new mattress before buying new ones. Check for coupon codes before you make your purchase!
You can find codes for free shipping and dollars off at popular mattress stores like Mattress Firm, US Mattress, and Sleep Train Mattress Centers, as well as department stores that sell new mattresses like Macy’s, JCPenney, and Sears. Keep an eye out for sales on mattresses like JCPenney’s in-store coupon for an extra 10% off select mattresses! Ask about a mattress protector in case you do want to make a return. Some stores will not accept an exchange unless you have had one of their waterproof mattress protectors on the mattress. And finally, if the mattress begins to sag in the middle after your return/exchange period is up, be sure to let the store know. Most retailers will send someone out to measure the dip. If it meets the criteria, you may get a new mattress! New furniture models come out in February, so bargains arrive in January. Keep an eye on office furniture, as retailers target entrepreneurs launching new ventures in the new tax year. With the holidays over and winter setting in, department stores lure shoppers with "white sales," making this the best time to buy linens.
The annual Consumer Electronics Show spurs price drops on digital cameras, TVs, tablets, and other electronics to clear shelves for new models. Also on sale: holiday items, winter apparel, select toys, and home fitness gear. Photo credit: Brenda Carson/shutterstock Stock up on high-end chocolate -- which rarely goes on sale -- after Valentine's Day. Also in February, retailers continue to discount select electronics such as TVs and audio equipment, as well as video games released during the holiday gift-buying frenzy. Be on the lookout for deals on winter coats and apparel, especially over Presidents' Day weekend, as stores prepare to display spring fashions. Presidents' Day also spurs sales on linens, towels, and bedding. With the winter boat show season in full swing, February is the best time to buy a boat for less. Also on sale: tax-filing software. Photo credit: Karramba Production/shutterstock As temperatures rise and demand cools, sellers are ready to strike deals on winter sporting equipment and apparel.
The same goes for that last ski trip of the season. Updated luggage styles arrive in advance of summer travel, so now's the time to buy last year's suitcases. March is National Frozen Food Month, which prompts related promotions. Stack coupons on top of supermarket sales to fill the freezer for the months ahead.Related: 10 Pricey Ski Resorts and Where to Hit the Slopes for Less Car dealers pick up used vehicles at auction this time of year and aim to move them quickly. April is also National Car Care Month, which brings deals on car parts, tires, and service. Retailers mark down cookware as graduations and wedding season approach. In recent years Home Depot has held a springtime Black Friday sale with discounted home improvement supplies. Spring apparel has been on the retail racks since February, so April is a good time to start finding discounts. Ditto for running shoes as fitness buffs gear up to take their runs outside. And with tax day falling mid-month, be on the look out for tax-day freebies.
Also on sale: snow blowers, jewelry, and cruise vacations.Related: 11 Ways to Go on a Disney Cruise for Less The mattress industry does its spring cleaning over Memorial Day. Retailers offer exceptional discounts in May to clear the floor for incoming merchandise. The long weekend also sees markdowns on spring clothes as summer apparel moves front and center. Deals on office furniture pop up again in May, with price cuts continuing through June. With the start of wedding season and graduations, count on finding bargains on home goods and other gifts, especially during Memorial Day sales. Items such as kitchenware should be discounted heavily, while picnic and grilling supplies see price dips in May. Also on sale: refrigerators and party supplies. Warm weather heats up deals on health club memberships as many gym rats head outdoors in June. The onset of hurricane season makes cruises cheaper yet, especially for last-minute bookings. Ditto for Caribbean vacations. It's also off-season for travel to Alaska, so watch for deals there.
Cinemas offer an escape from the heat and deals on movie tickets when bought online. Even with back-to-school weeks away, laptop deals start to heat up in June. With Father's Day coming up, expect to see discounts on restaurant dinners, as well as on tools and paint. Savings on cookware and dishes continue from May. National Doughnut Day falls on June 2 this year, so take advantage of freebies from places such as Krispy Kreme, Dunkin' Donuts, and Tim Hortons.Related: 43 Crazy or Unique Doughnuts You Have to Try Photo credit: Luisa Leal Photography/shutterstock With Father's Day past, July is one of the best times to buy tools. After July 4, retailers start firing up discounts on grills and summer apparel. Independence Day also heralds a handful of mattress deals worth getting out of bed for. On National Ice Cream Day (July 16 this year) look for specials at local shops and chains such as Baskin-Robbins and Cold Stone Creamery. The semi-annual release of new furniture models in August invites sales in July.
And with no gift-giving holiday in sight, jewelry stores vie for business. Back-to-school shopping starts heating up near the end of the month, which means deals on computers. And finally, July has played host to Amazon Prime Day in the past two years, so expect Black Friday-like specials from the e-commerce giant. Photo credit: Niki Love/shutterstock Back-to-school sales can work to the frugal shopper's advantage even without kids in the picture. August is a good time to buy laptops and merchandise such as backpacks and office supplies. In addition to attractive deals on kids' clothes, summer apparel and swimwear are at all-time-low prices. Keep track of tax-free shopping days (they vary from state to state) to gather up these and other items without sales tax. And don't forget about students heading to college -- take advantage of dorm room essentials and organizational aids selling at low prices this month. Items such as lawn mowers are tagged with some of the biggest discounts of the year as retailers start purging inventory for the fall.
With summer travel wrapping up, it's easy to find good deals on camping gear and luggage. September may be the best time to buy plane tickets for holiday travel. New car models are released in early fall, leaving cut-rate leftovers from the prior model year. Likewise, new bicycles come out in September and last year's models go on clearance. The same goes for large appliances. Look for denim and desktop computer sales after the back-to-school rush. Once again, mattress dealers roll out discounts for the long Labor Day weekend. On Sept. 29, don't miss the opportunity to get a free cup o' joe for National Coffee Day. Also on sale: patio furniture, perennial plants, lawn mowers, and sunglasses.Related: 50 Ways to Save Money on Your Holiday Travel Photo credit: Michael Pettigrew/shutterstock Not much goes on sale in October, but the remaining summer stock (bikes, grills, lawn mowers) takes on spooky-low price tags. Discounts on denim, new cars, and camping gear also continue this month.
Deals on Halloween costumes and decorations start in mid-October and continue to increase as the witches and goblins close in. The biggest shopping season of the year kicks off on Thanksgiving, but look for Black Friday deals throughout November. Expect discounts on big and small appliances, vacuum cleaners, and furniture. This is also a good time to buy laptops, HDTVs, tablets, digital cameras, and other electronics. Tool kits make welcome gifts, and sales abound; As people prep their homes for holiday guests, home service providers such as house cleaners lower their rates, and food storage containers are discounted to help store leftovers. November brings a lull in the wedding business ahead of holiday engagements, and bridal shops stocking up on wedding dresses want to clear out older inventory. Also on sale: Halloween candy and trappings.Related: 10 Things to Buy and 10 Things to Skip on Black Friday Savings continue in December on TVs -- including 4K ultra-HD TVs -- as well as on cookware, small appliances, kitchen items, tools, and wedding dresses.