Memorial Day sales are beginning earlier and earlier in May. However, 90 percent of Memorial Day deals still come out in the week leading up to Memorial Day — including 90 percent of the best deals, according to DealNews.com.
While many sales offer deals on summer clothing, the best savings will actually be on spring apparel. Summer clothing is always cheaper during the months of August and September, when retailers are trying to clear any inventory consumers didn't buy.
However, don't settle for just the sale price, as most stores will also have coupons offering steeper discounts. Look for coupons taking up to an extra 40 percent off.
Here’s what DealNews.com recommends for May’s best buys:
Appliances and cookware
Last year, over 20 percent of all Memorial Day weekend sales were for home items, including appliances and kitchen supplies.
Party supplies
If you’re going to have a long season of barbecues, cookouts, and get-togethers ahead of you, save money by buying in bulk to prepare. Check Memorial Day sales at big box stores, where you might be able to get a coupon for 10 percent off everything. Then stockpile paper dishes, cups, paper towels, and whatever else you need to entertain.
Mattresses
May brings good prices and choices on mattresses. If you're flexible on the specific type of mattress you buy, then don't settle for anything less than 50 percent off. Also look for stackable coupons.
Home and office furniture
Need a new desk or wheeled chair? Last year, DealNews.com saw a huge burst of deals on office furniture in May, with all-time price lows. Spring is the time when stores clear out their home furniture inventory to make way for new lines.
Non-traditional Mother's Day gifts
As the second Sunday in May draws closer, traditional gifts will get more and more expensive. This includes jewelry, perfume, and certain women's clothing items – in addition to the traditional Mother's Day brunch.
Instead of splurging on the usual, try something personal instead. Photo printing is always a great way to preserve memories, and last year, one company offered an 8×10 photo enlargement print free. Online photo printing sites charge for shipping, but offer free magnets, art prints, and more.
As for brunch, remember that breakfast in bed and a bottle of prosecco will save you a bundle over a bottomless mimosa prix fixe in a restaurant. And, if the weather's good, head to a local park for a picnic or a stroll.
Swimsuits
May has three times as many swimwear deals as April, and twice as many great deals. Get women's suits for as little as $3 before they triple in price next month.
Three things to avoid in May
Laptops
Although you can currently get a 15" mainstream Intel laptop for about $380 to $400, in the coming weeks that same laptop might be 17 percent cheaper or include a free store credit. That's because late June traditionally marks the start of back-to-school sales, and some online offers will be available to anyone, even if shoppers don't have an .edu email address.
Grills
It's grilling season, and maybe you invited people over for a Memorial Day cookout. But grill prices are at their peak right now because of that demand. If you already have a grill, see if you can safely get one more season out of it before replacing it around Labor Day, when prices will drop over 30 percent.
Mattresses?
As noted above, May is the best month of the year for mattress sales. But while June has far fewer big sales, it does have some really amazing individual deals on specific mattresses. Some people think that mattress stores clear out their showrooms in May, so maybe June sees sales on the stragglers that really need to move.
