I'm a Savings Expert: 5 Memorial Day Sale Tricks Most Shoppers Miss
Memorial Day weekend is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, but not every “deal” actually saves you money.
To help shoppers get real value — and avoid costly mistakes — MoneyLion spoke with Ashley Feinstein Gerstley, shopping and saving strategist at Rakuten. Here, she shares five of her expert strategies to use before you check out.
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1. Make a Memorial Day Shopping List Before Browsing Sales
Approach sales with a category priority list, so you don't get distracted — or overwhelmed — by deals that weren't on your radar.
Historically, the biggest discounts show up in categories like outdoor furniture, mattresses and home appliances. If you've been waiting on a big purchase, this is one of the best weekends to pull the trigger. Apparel deals are also worth watching, especially as retailers clear spring inventory to make room for summer.
2. Set a Budget Before Memorial Day Sales Begin
Sales have a way of making us feel like we need to act fast, which can be tempting and lead to impulsive purchases. Before the sales start, take time to evaluate your budget and your needs, and try to stick to your list as closely as you can.
Remember, it’s not actually a good deal if you were not going to buy that item anyway!
3. Track Prices and Compare Deals Before You Buy
Before adding anything to your cart, it’s important to do a quick price check, especially when buying big-ticket items. Not every sale is as deep as it looks.
Using a retailer comparison tool takes little to no effort and can help you save big. Even better, start price tracking up to two weeks before sales begin. Retailers love the "was $X, now $Y" framing, but the "was" price can be inflated right before the sale.
4. Stack Cash Back and Rewards on Memorial Day Purchases
This is one of the easiest ways to maximize your savings during sale events.
Use platforms like Rakuten to stack even more rewards on top of Memorial Day sales. Promotions are automatically applied as you shop. You can even choose how to get your rewards, from cash back via PayPal or check, to Amex Membership Rewards points or Bilt points.
5. Check Price-Match and Post-Sale Adjustment Policies
Many retailers, including Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy and Target, will price-match competitors during Memorial Day, and several will retroactively adjust if the price drops within 14 to 30 days of your purchase.
If you buy early in the weekend and the price drops by Monday, request the adjustment. It's often a quick chat or a form submission.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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