Latest news with #StephanieCarls
NBC News
05-07-2025
- Business
- NBC News
6 things you should buy, and 4 you definitely shouldn't, during Prime Day this year
Finding a worthwhile deal on Prime Day can be a 'you know it when you see it' situation. But as someone who's covered Amazon's mega sale for six years, I guarantee that there's a method to the madness more often than not. Certain categories historically offer stronger discounts than others, and identifying what they are before you start shopping can help you maximize your budget. 'This is the kind of shopping moment that rewards strategy and precision, not impulse buying,' says Stephanie Carls, a shopping expert at RetailMeNot. 'It's about knowing what's worth it and intentionally buying when the savings are the strongest and the deals are stacked in your favor.' Using my expertise about Amazon's biggest sale of the year (both as a reporter and Prime member), I put together this guide to help you plan your shopping for the four-day event that starts on Jul. 8. Experts also weighed in about what to buy and skip, and shared tips for saving money. You can apply their advice to early Prime Day deals, too, which are live right now. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. If you're narrowing your shopping list, focus on the categories below to save the most money. There are various reasons why Amazon hosts Prime Day, but experts say a big one is to sell products from its brands, including Echo, Ring, Blink, Kindle and Amazon Basics. Expect to see many of these brands' products marked down to their lowest price ever and bundles that let you buy and save on a few that work together. While electronics from Amazon-owned brands are typically discounted the most on Prime Day, plenty of other tech brands slash prices on their gadgets, including Apple, FitBit, Samsung and Sony, says Carls. Focus on items like headphones, Bluetooth speakers, portable chargers, laptops, tablets and e-readers, and smart home devices like indoor and outdoor security cameras, doorbells, garage openers, lights and plugs. Prime Day is not ideal for buying a refrigerator or washing machine. Instead, prioritize small home and kitchen appliances like air purifiers, vacuums and fans, as well as air fryers, blenders and toaster ovens. 'Top brands like Instant Pot, Ninja, Keurig and Vitamix are deeply discounted and they rarely go on sale outside of major events,' says Carls. Apparel deals often fly under the radar during Prime Day, but they're plentiful, says Carls. Amazon's in-house brands tend to be discounted the most, like The Drop, Amazon Essentials, Goodthreads and Core 10, and you'll see promotions at Shopbop and Zappos since the retailer owns both companies. That said, many other clothes, shoe and accessory brands offer great deals, so keep an eye out, especially if you're looking for basics like white T-shirts, activewear like leggings, sports bras and running shoes, and summer items like sunglasses, bathing suits and shorts. Prime Day is an opportunity to get a head start on back-to-school shopping, which more people have been taking advantage of recently. This year, 24% of parents with grade-school children and 20% of parents with college students plan to shop for school supplies during Amazon's mega sale, according to a survey from RetailMeNot. Vipin Porwal, the CEO and a consumer savings expert at Smarty, recommends looking for savings on items like backpacks and lunchboxes, as well as dorm essentials and school-related tech. You can store everything you need for school, work or travel inside this backpack, which has numerous interior and exterior pockets, as well as a dedicated compartment for your laptop. The backpack's padded shoulder straps make the bag comfortable to wear, and it has reflective elements so people can always see you in low light. Before Prime Day starts, walk around your home and take inventory — are you running low on any essentials? Name-brand laundry detergent, dog food, pantry staples, toilet paper, garbage bags, paper towels and more are all on sale during the event, and since you'll need them eventually, you may as well buy them at a discounted price. There are 28 AA alkaline batteries in this pack, which is resealable. If they're unused, you can store the batteries for up to 12 years and they won't decline in performance, according to the brand. While you'll see TVs and gaming-related products on sale during Prime Day, don't buy them just yet, says Carls. There are better discounts and bundles closer to the holidays, especially during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Porwal also recommends waiting until Labor Day to purchase furniture, as well as large home and kitchen devices. Three-day holiday weekends are known for their discounts on these types of items, so hold off until Labor Day deals start in mid-August. Amazon isn't the only one hosting a mega sale in the next few days. Savings events are happening at retailers like Target, Walmart and Nordstrom, too. Some attempt to beat Prime Day pricing on select items, while others compete by offering discounts on different types of products. Additionally, many brands are extending their Fourth of July offers online in hopes of Prime Day shoppers spilling onto their sites. Here are a few Prime Day-adjacent sales to know about. Target Circle Week is from Jul. 6 to 12 and is only open to Target Circle members. You can join the loyalty program for free. Target tends to offer strong deals on home, fashion and personal care products, especially if they're from brands it owns, says Carls. The retailer has a same-day pickup option at most stores if you need something quickly, or you can get items shipped. is from Jul. 6 to 12 and is only open to Target Circle members. You can join the loyalty program for free. Target tends to offer strong deals on home, fashion and personal care products, especially if they're from brands it owns, says Carls. The retailer has a same-day pickup option at most stores if you need something quickly, or you can get items shipped. The Walmart Deals event is from Jul. 8 to 13. It's open to all shoppers, but Walmart+ members get early access on Jul. 7 at 7:00 p.m. ET. The retailer often discounts products to at or near Prime Day prices, so it's worth comparing them, says Carls. event is from Jul. 8 to 13. It's open to all shoppers, but Walmart+ members get early access on Jul. 7 at 7:00 p.m. ET. The retailer often discounts products to at or near Prime Day prices, so it's worth comparing them, says Carls. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is from Jul. 8 to Aug. 3. At first, it's only open to loyalty members, but everyone can shop starting Jul. 12. During the sale, Nordstrom marks down new fall merchandise, while Prime Day mainly marks down overstock items. is from Jul. 8 to Aug. 3. At first, it's only open to loyalty members, but everyone can shop starting Jul. 12. During the sale, Nordstrom marks down new fall merchandise, while Prime Day mainly marks down overstock items. Best Buy's Black Friday in July sale is from Jul. 7 to 13, and it's open to everyone. The retailers' tech deals are usually on par with Amazon's during Prime Day, but it sometimes throws in bundles or gift card bonuses that add up to more savings. is from Jul. 7 to 13, and it's open to everyone. The retailers' tech deals are usually on par with Amazon's during Prime Day, but it sometimes throws in bundles or gift card bonuses that add up to more savings. Home Depot and Lowe's often have sales around Prime Day, allowing shoppers to save on patio furniture, home improvement supplies and tools. These are items Amazon doesn't have an extensive inventory of. Go in with a plan: Do your homework, says Carls — set a budget and list everything you want to buy ahead of time. 'The best approach is to shop with a plan,' she says. 'It's easy to get caught up in big sale moments, but the real value comes when you buy things you already need, at the right time, with the right offer attached.' Download the Amazon app and turn on notifications: If you add items to your watchlist before Prime Day, the app notifies you when prices drop so you can jump on them. Shop Lightning Deals: Lightning Deals only run for a few hours, and there's limited inventory available — once the product sells out or the deal expires, it's gone for good. Lightning Deals are some of the most lucrative discounts brands offer during Prime Day, so pay close attention to them. New offers drop as often as every 10 minutes. Checkout ASAP: Many items discounted on Prime Day are overstock merchandise that brands want to clear out while they have a massive audience, says Porwal. They list items at historically low prices to move inventory quickly, so if you like something, act quickly. Also, the stronger the discount, the more likely it is to be time-sensitive, and popular products from brands like Apple, Dyson and Sony commonly sell out. Pay extra attention to featured sales: Deals advertised front-and-center on Amazon's website and in its app are typically some of the strongest. 'These sellers pay a premium to Amazon to feature their best products, which will likely be available in shorter time frames and at some of their lowest prices ever,' says Porwal. Browse for new deals daily: This year's longer Prime Day timeline gives brands more room to roll out deals in phases. Expect to see new deals drop every day, as well as potential restocks, says Carls. Be wary about unverified sellers: If you're unfamiliar with a brand or seller, and the product isn't something you really need, sometimes the savings aren't worth the risk, says Porwal. Use price trackers: Those like CamelCamelCamel help you evaluate an item's price history, which lets you determine if it's really a good deal or just temporarily marked down from an inflated baseline, says Carls. Compare prices: An item's Prime Day price is almost always the lowest across retailers, especially because your purchase ships free. But it's always a good idea to compare prices before you check out just in case, says Porwal. Familiarize yourself with return policies: Amazon doesn't have a special return policy for Prime Day purchases, but you know how long you have to return an item if needed. In response to the 10% tariff on all countries that's been in effect since April, some brands have already raised prices on their products. Experts say this trend will continue, especially because the 90-day pause on higher reciprocal tariffs ends in a few days. But that doesn't mean Prime Day deals will be weaker this year, experts say. Some brands are increasingly leaning into deals to drive sales before higher costs force price adjustments later. 'For shoppers, this might be the right moment to buy higher-priced items that could become more expensive in the fall,' she says. While deals won't necessarily be weaker during Prime Day 2025, how brands present them might look a little different, says Carls. Expect blanket markdowns, like 30% off every single product a company sells on Amazon, and more curated promotions, meaning a few deeply discounted items. Some brands will also opt for time-sensitive deals rather than keeping products on sale for all four days of the event. At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. Vipin Porwal is the CEO and a consumer savings expert at Smarty. is the CEO and a consumer savings expert at Smarty. Stephanie Carls is a shopping expert at RetailMeNot. I'm a reporter at NBC Select who's covered sales and deals for five years, including topics like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. To write this article, I interviewed two experts about what you should buy and skip during Amazon Prime Day, and rounded up a handful of tips about how to save money while shopping. Catch up on NBC Select's in-depth coverage of tech and tools , wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date. Zoe Malin
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RetailMeNot's Summer Checklist Is Back June 5-9, Featuring Stackable Savings from Top Brands to Maximize Summer Budgets
Returning for its second year, RetailMeNot's Summer Checklist brings exclusive cash back offers and top deals on summer essentials and activities - helping shoppers stretch their budgets for the season ahead Summer Checklist 2025 features deals from leading retailers like Viator, Old Navy, Ray-Ban, Elf Cosmetics and more New this year: RetailMeNot teams up with Expedia to give one lucky shopper the chance to create their dream summer experience AUSTIN, Texas, June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, RetailMeNot, a Ziff Davis company, announces the return of Summer Checklist, a savings event running from June 5-9. Shoppers can take advantage of exclusive deals and cash back on everything they need to gear up for summer - from travel essentials like hotels and flights to fashion, accessories, home entertainment and more. With top retailers like Expedia, Ray-Ban, Elf Cosmetics, Old Navy, Viator and others participating, Summer Checklist is the ideal time to save on all your summer plans. With prices rising across many shopping categories, consumers may find it difficult to stretch their budgets this summer. That's where RetailMeNot's Summer Checklist comes in - offering a seamless way to stack promo codes and cash back from nearly 3,800 brands. With no extra effort or deal-hunting required, RetailMeNot automatically combines savings to help shoppers get more for less on everything from travel to seasonal essentials. "As prices climb, many consumers are feeling the effects," said Stephanie Carls, Retail Insights Expert at RetailMeNot. "Our recent survey found that over half of consumers feel more pressure on their household budgets, and nearly a third are concerned about affording summer essentials and plans. That's why Summer Checklist is so valuable - it makes stacking savings easy, helping shoppers save effortlessly and enjoy summer without overspending." Several Summer Checklist deals are available starting now, while offers last, including: Amazon - 15% Cash Back on Amazon Devices - 16% Cash Back Canon - 10% Cash Back Cole Haan - 20% Cash Back Cricut - 16% Cash Back Crocs - 10% Cash Back CVS - 25% Cash Back Elf Cosmetics - 14% Cash Back Expedia - 8% Cash Back on Flights and Hotels + RetailMeNot Exclusive! 8% Off Hotels HOKA - 4% Cash Back - 10% Cash Back + RetailMeNot Exclusive! Get 8% Off Hotels! Kate Spade - 4% Cash Back LG - 20% Cash Back Lucky Brand - 8% Cash Back Old Navy - 6% Cash Back + Up to 50% Off Almost Everything PrettyLittleThing - 16% Cash Back + RetailMeNot Exclusive! 50% Off Everything + Extra 15% off Princess Polly - 6% Cash Back + 20% Off Sitewide Ray-Ban - 14% Cash Back Ulta - Up to 10% Cash Back Viator - 16% Cash Back VRBO - 10% Cash Back Shoppers can find the complete list of Summer Checklist offers at Alongside Summer Checklist, RetailMeNot has partnered with Expedia for its exclusive Roam or Home Giveaway. One lucky shopper will get the chance to create their dream summer experience - whether it's an unforgettable getaway or a memorable staycation close to home. Visit to learn more and enter. About RetailMeNot: RetailMeNot is a leading savings destination bringing people and the things they love together through savings with retailers, brands and restaurants. RetailMeNot makes everyday life more affordable through online and in-store coupon codes, cash back offers, and the RetailMeNot browser extension. To learn more, visit or follow @RetailMeNot on social media. About Ziff Davis: Ziff Davis (Nasdaq: ZD) is a vertically focused digital media and internet company whose portfolio includes leading brands in technology, entertainment, shopping, health, cybersecurity, and martech. For more information, visit Press Contact:media@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE RetailMeNot, Inc. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
NBC News
21-03-2025
- Business
- NBC News
What to buy (and skip) during spring sales: Amazon, Walmart, Target and more
Retailers typically host their biggest sales of the season during long holiday weekends, but you don't have to wait until the next one to shop for deals. Many of our favorite spring sales are just days away, like Amazon's Big Spring Sale, Walmart's Super Savings Week and Target Circle Week. Others, like Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty and Wayfair's Spring Cyber Week, have already begun. Knowing what to buy and skip is essential to saving during spring sales, especially if you're tightening your budget due to tariffs and inflation. I've been covering sales for five years at NBC Select, so I compiled this shopping guide to help you prepare and consulted experts about their top tips. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. The best spring sales to shop Here are a few of the biggest spring sales you should have on your radar, some of which are only open to loyalty members. To stay updated about them, I recommend signing up for retailers' SMS and email lists — that's how they'll notify you about new discounts, limited-time promos and extended offers. Amazon's Spring Sale is from March 25 to 31. It's open to all shoppers, but Prime members get access to exclusive deals. Target Circle Week is from March 23 to 29. It's open to all Target Circle members, but Target Circle 360 members get early access to the sale on March 22. You can shop the sale online and in stores. Walmart's Spring Savings Sale is from March 24 to April 1. It's open to all shoppers, and it's an online-only event. Lowe's SpringFest is now until April 2. It's open to all shoppers, but MyLowe's Rewards members get access to exclusive deals. You can shop the sale online and in stores. Wayfair Spring Cyber Week is now until March 25. It's open to all shoppers. Ulta 21 Days of Beauty is now until March 27. It's open to all shoppers. You can shop the sale online and in stores. What to buy during spring sales Most spring sales focus on helping you prepare for the season ahead, so the best deals are on products you'll need for the warm weather, says Stephanie Carls, a retail insights expert at RetailMeNot. Spring clothes and footwear: 'Expect sales on spring apparel for men, women and children to overlap with winter clearance,' says Vipin Porwal, the CEO and a consumer savings expert at Smarty. Brands often discount this season's styles by about 10% to 30%, and drop prices on season's styles even more to move them off shelves. Porwal specifically recommends looking for deals on running shoes and spring activewear. Spring cleaning supplies: 52% of shoppers plan on spring cleaning this season, according to a recent survey by RetailMeNot — if you're one of them, you'll find lots of cleaning and home improvement supplies on sale across retailers. Look for discounts on sprays and scrubs, vacuums and steam cleaners, as well as products to refresh the look of your home, like area rugs, window treatments and bedding, says Porwal. Gardening tools: This is the best time of year to save on anything garden-related, like plants, lawn seeds, bulbs, pots, raised beds, mulch, fertilizer and tools, says Carls. You'll also see deals on patio furniture and outdoor lighting. Beauty and skin care: 'Many retailers in the beauty and skin care world have sales at this time of year as new scents and products come out for the spring and summer seasons,' says Carls. What to skip during spring sales It's tempting to start browsing grills, pool supplies, bathing suits, sandals, fans and air conditioners as soon as it's consistently sunny, but don't stock up on these summer-related products just yet. Retailers are just starting to sell the newest models, so you won't see strong discounts on them until the middle to end of summer, says Carls. Unlike three-day holiday weekends, the spring sales happening now are not a lucrative time to shop for big-ticket home items like appliances, mattresses and furniture, says Porwal. If you have those products on your wish list, wait to buy them until Memorial Day sales start toward the end of May. You also won't see great tech deals during spring sales, says Carls. Hold off on adding TVs, speakers, computers, tablets and headphones to your cart until Amazon Prime Day, which is typically in July, and back-to-school sales. Is shopping spring sales worth it? All the experts I spoke to agree that shopping spring sales is worth it for two main reasons: The next time you'll see site- and store-wide sales from tons of retailers is Memorial Day (May 26), which is about two months away. Spring sales are your best opportunity to save on products across categories until then. Tariffs and inflation are putting economic pressure on households, especially because the prices of essential items like groceries keep rising. This is chipping away at people's ability to send on non-essential goods and services, causing them to have an overall negative outlook on the economy, says Shannon Grein, an economist at Wells Fargo. In fact, 49% of Americans opt to buy less amid recent tariff news, according to a recent survey by Smarty. That's why shopping spring sales are so beneficial — it helps you buy what's on your wishlist, be it essential or non-essential, while being budget-conscious. How to save the most during spring sales Knowing what to buy and skip is only one aspect of strategic shopping. To get the most out of spring sales, follow the tips below, too. Sign up for email lists or SMS programs to stay updated about your favorite brands' and retailers' spring sales. They use these platforms to contact shoppers quickly, and some offer exclusive discount codes. Enroll in loyalty programs like Amazon Prime, Walmart+ and Target Circle if you want to take advantage of member-exclusive deals. Some loyalty programs offer free memberships, too. Compare prices on items across similar retailers to ensure you're getting the lowest price possible. 'Anytime you have pretty much all retailers throwing sales, you want to check out the competition's price before you buy,' says Carls. 'In addition to price tags, look at shipping fees and promo codes. If another retailer has a promo code that gets you an additional 10% off, or includes the item you want in a buy one, get one offer, you'll be glad you checked.' Activate cash-back offers so you can get refunded for a percentage of your spending. Consider paying with a credit card, especially for larger items, so you can earn points or take advantage of other special offers. Meet our experts At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. Why trust NBC Select? I'm a reporter at NBC Select who has covered sales and deals for five years, including Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. To write this article, I interviewed three experts about what to buy and skip during spring sales from Amazon, Target, Walmart and more. I also rounded up tips about how to save the most money while shopping.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RetailMeNot's Spring Savecation Is Back: Score Unbeatable Travel Deals & Cash Back from Top Brands for Your Next Getaway, March 6-10
Back for its third year, RetailMeNot's Spring Savecation delivers can't-miss travel deals and exclusive cash back offers, helping shoppers save big on their next getaway Spring Savecation 2025 features premium deals and cash back offers from top retailers including Away, Viator, Sephora, Expedia, H&M and more New this year: RetailMeNot partners with Viator to send one lucky shopper on the ultimate Las Vegas getaway, including tickets to see Coldplay live and an unforgettable city adventure AUSTIN, Texas, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, RetailMeNot, a Ziff Davis company, kicks off the return of Spring Savecation, a savings event happening from March 6-10. During this event, shoppers can score exclusive travel deals and cash back on everything they need for their upcoming trips. From discounts on hotels and flights to luggage, fashion, accessories, and more, Spring Savecation has it all. Top retailers like Away, Expedia, Ray-Ban, H&M, Sephora, Viator and others are participating, making it the perfect opportunity to save on travel essentials. With travel being a major expense for many shoppers, savvy travelers are increasingly seeking ways to stack deals, earn rewards, and receive cash back. RetailMeNot's Spring Savecation makes this effortless by automatically stacking cash back offers with promo codes from over 3,800 brands, allowing savings to grow in real time without the hassle of searching for multiple discounts - whether booking a last-minute spring getaway or planning ahead for summer. A new addition this year, RetailMeNot is also teaming up with Viator to send one lucky winner on an unforgettable trip to Las Vegas to see Coldplay live in concert. The winner will receive a trip package, including concert tickets, flights and accommodations. But that's not all - the winner will also get the opportunity to experience a thrilling city adventure, courtesy of Viator, to make this Vegas trip truly epic. "This year, travelers are getting a head start like never before, with 54% planning to research and book their trips by the end of March," says Stephanie Carls, Retail Insights Expert at RetailMeNot. "With rising prices, they're looking for smarter ways to save. That's why we're thrilled to bring back Spring Savecation—helping travelers unlock the best deals, stack their savings, and earn cash back, so dream trips can become reality without the financial stress." Several deals are available starting now, while offers last, including: Away - RetailMeNot Exclusive! 20% Off the Away Softside Bigger Carry-on (valid on all colors except navy) - 20% Cash Back for Purchases Sitewide CVS - 20% Cash Back for Purchases Sitewide Elf Cosmetics - 14% Cash Back for Purchases Sitewide Expedia - 8% Off Hotels + 8% Cash Back for Purchases Sitewide - 15% Cash Back for Purchases Sitewide H&M - 3% Cash Back for Purchases Sitewide IHG Hotels & Resorts - 14% Cash Back for Purchases Sitewide Oakley - 14% Cash Back for Purchases Sitewide Orbitz - 7% Off Hotels + Up to 40% Off + 8% Cash Back on All Hotel Purchases Ray-Ban - 14% Cash Back for Purchases Sitewide Sephora - 10% Cash Back for Purchases Sitewide Viator - RetailMeNot Exclusive! Get $25 Off When you Spend $250 & $35 Off When You Spend $300 + 14% Cash Back for Purchases Sitewide VRBO - 10% Cash Back for Purchases Sitewide Shoppers can access Spring Savecation deals through the RetailMeNot website, app, or browser extension - browse top deals at shop on the go, or let savings apply automatically while shopping online. Additionally, from March 6-20, shoppers can visit to enter the event's giveaway in partnership with Viator. About RetailMeNot: RetailMeNot is a leading savings destination bringing people and the things they love together through savings with retailers, brands and restaurants. RetailMeNot makes everyday life more affordable through online and in-store coupon codes, cash back offers, and the RetailMeNot browser extension. To learn more, visit or follow @RetailMeNot on social media. About Ziff Davis: Ziff Davis (Nasdaq: ZD) is a vertically focused digital media and internet company whose portfolio includes leading brands in technology, entertainment, shopping, health, cybersecurity, and martech. For more information, visit Press Contact:media@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE RetailMeNot, Inc.
NBC News
10-02-2025
- Business
- NBC News
What to buy (and skip) during Presidents Day sales, according to shopping experts
Presidents Day, which falls on Monday, Feb. 17, is the first big three-day holiday sales weekend of the year, and consumers plan to spend an average of $197 while shopping, according to a survey by RetailMeNot, a deal-finding and cash back site. If you have something on your wishlist, now is the time to buy. The next time you're likely to see dozens of brands drop prices site- and store-wide is around Memorial Day in May — if you don't want to wait until then to save on a new mattress, refrigerator or vacuum, Presidents Day is your best opportunity to find a great deal, says Stephanie Carls, a retail insights expert at RetailMeNot. I've been covering sales for five years at NBC Select, so I'm well-versed in how to maximize your spending. One of the most important things to know? What to buy and what to skip during a holiday weekend. To help you save, I put together this guide filled with Presidents Day shopping advice, and consulted experts about their top tips. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. What to buy during Presidents Day sales Similar to other three-day holiday sales weekends, Presidents Day discounts are centered around big-ticket items like large home and kitchen appliances, furniture, mattresses and rugs. Expect to see up to 40% off appliance bundles, like a washer and dryer set or a refrigerator and dishwasher set, says Carls. Single appliances aren't discounted quite as much — retailers tend to cut prices about 20% to 30% on items like vacuums and toaster ovens. As for mattresses, king-for-queen specials are common during Presidents Day, which lets you get a bigger mattress for the price of a smaller one, says Carls. Also keep an eye on discounted mattresses from high-end brands at big box retailers, and look for gift-with-purchase promotions, says Vipin Porwal, the CEO and a consumer savings expert at Smarty, a cashback browser extension. For example, you'll see deals that advertise a free sheet set or free pillows with your mattress purchase. That said, bedding, as well as bath linens and curtains, are typically on sale during the holiday weekend, so you can always buy them separately. Also consider shopping for winter apparel during Presidents Day sales. Retailers may use the holiday weekend as an opportunity to slash prices on cold weather clothing and footwear to help them move stock off shelves and make room for spring fashion. Finally, while February isn't the best time of year to shop for tech, there's usually decent deals around Presidents Day, says Carls. Some retailers extend their sports-related TV and sound system deals through the latter half of the month, and you'll be able to find low prices on a limited assortment of laptops, desktop computers and headphones. It's important to note that proposed U.S. tariffs on goods from Mexico, China and Canada, which could raise prices on products across shopping categories, are temporarily on hold. Since many brands that sell popular consumer goods are based in these countries, it's a good idea to buy anything you know you'll need in the near future during Presidents Day weekend while prices are particularly low, says Porwal. What to skip during Presidents Day sales If possible, experts recommend waiting to shop for spring apparel. 'Stores might tempt you with modest deals over Presidents Day weekend, but you'll see bigger savings if you wait until spring has officially sprung due to clearance sales,' says Carls. 'That's when retailers try to offload spring stuff in time for summer.' Similarly, don't shop for patio furniture and outdoor gear just yet. Demand increases around these products as the weather gets warmer, so retailers are reluctant to drop prices right now. The best time to buy items like grills, patio furniture, gardening equipment and outdoor sports equipment is between August and October, when stores lower prices by as much as 80%, she says. When do Presidents Day sales start? Many sales start about a week before Presidents Day, and by the Friday before the holiday, almost all of them will be live, says Carls. Retailers typically offer the same discounts throughout the entirety of their sales, so don't wait to shop. When do Presidents Day sales end? Most Presidents Day sales end at midnight on the holiday, but you may see a select few extend into the Tuesday or Wednesday after. Are there better deals in stores or online during Presidents Day? Retailers offer similar Presidents Day sales online and in stores, so where you shop comes down to personal preference. There's typically a wider variety of discounted items available online, but you may have to pay shipping and delivery fees, which can add up, especially for larger items. To avoid additional fees, consider using stores' buy online and pickup in-store options. What stores are open on Presidents Day? Presidents Day is recognized as a U.S. federal holiday, so some retailers may be closed for in-store shopping or have limited hours. Many pharmacies, grocery stores and big-box retailers like Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe's, and Kohl's keep their doors open for shoppers, but hours vary by location. Be sure to check a store's website before leaving home if you plan on visiting in person during the holiday weekend. How to save the most during Presidents Day sales Knowing what to buy and what to skip is the first step to saving during Presidents Day sales. Here are other expert-approved tips to help you maximize your spending. Sign up for email lists or SMS programs to stay updated about your favorite brands' and retailers' Presidents Day sales. They use these platforms to contact shoppers quickly, and some send out exclusive discount codes. Enroll in loyalty programs like Amazon Prime, Walmart Plus and Target Circle if you're interested in taking advantage of member-exclusive deals. Compare prices on items across similar retailers to ensure you're getting the lowest price possible. Also weigh shipping fees and additional promos, like gifts with purchase. Activate cash back offers so you can get refunded for a percentage of what you spend. Consider paying with a credit card, especially for larger items, so you can earn points or take advantage of other special offers Meet our experts At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. Why trust NBC Select? I'm a reporter at NBC Select who has covered sales and deals for five years, including Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. To write this article, I interviewed two experts about what to buy and skip during Presidents Day sales, and rounded up tips about how to save the most money while shopping.
