Memorial Day sales: What's worth buying and what to skip

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Most retailers in the U.S. position Memorial Day as a "buy everything" weekend, but that's not really the case for diehard deal hounds. In reality, only a handful of categories see meaningful, seasonal promotional value. Those are the ones worth focusing on, and you can skip the rest. Here is some insight courtesy of  Coupons.com .

Buy: Mattresses

Expect to see mattress discounts just about everywhere this time of year. Memorial Day has become a key sales moment for the category and many shoppers specifically wait for it to buy. It's not just marketing hype, either. Search interest in terms like "mattress sale" typically spikes ahead of the weekend, signaling that consumers are actively looking to replace their beds. Compared with other sales periods, this is one of the strongest windows to shop before the next major cycle later in the year.

Buy: Major appliances

Retailers are trying to move big-ticket appliances like refrigerators, dryers and dishwashers ahead of new models arriving later in the year. What that means for shoppers is simple: There's added pressure to clear out older inventory. That creates a real opportunity to snag expensive appliances at a discount.

Buy: Outdoor furniture and grills

Late May is when people start turning their attention to their backyards and gearing up for summer gatherings and Fourth of July plans. By July, it's often too late to get the best deals, and prices tend to peak as shoppers scramble for last-minute furniture and outdoor essentials. Retailers know this shift is coming, which is why late May is a good time to shop.

Related: Smart ways to save on summer travel

Skip: Small appliances and tech

Items like air fryers, coffee makers and tablets tend to be heavily promoted during Memorial Day sales each year. That said, this isn't usually when you'll find the deepest discounts. If you're focused on maximizing savings, Prime Day and Black Friday are typically stronger for tech, when retailers put more emphasis on electronics and compete more aggressively on price.

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This article originally published at Memorial Day sales: What's worth buying and what to skip .