April is tax month, which means you might be parting with more money this month than you did in February or March. That makes finding opportunities to save money even more important.
Take advantage of April’s discounts with our list of the top things you should buy — and a few you should avoid.
Buy: Easter leftovers
Easter falls on April 21 this year, so the end of the month will be an ideal time to stock up on holiday leftovers, such as candy and decorations. Look for sales at drugstores and big-box retailers as they clear inventory to make room for Mother’s Day displays.
It’s not uncommon to find deals of 50% off or more, so you can save on baskets and plush bunnies for next year.
Skip: Kitchen appliances
Appliance deals abound during Memorial Day sales in May, so if you can, let April come and go before you buy a refrigerator, a dishwasher or even a blender.
Memorial Day is May 27 this year, but we predict sales will start a few days before the holiday and extend a few days after. Memorial Day appliance sales traditionally take place at home improvement stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot.
Buy: Vacuums
If you discover during spring cleaning season that your old vacuum isn’t getting the job done, now might be a good time to buy a new one. You’ll find plenty of vacuum sales and home cleaning deals this month.
Discounts may not be as steep as they were on Black Friday, but check home cleaning brands and third-party retailers for deals. In the past, Dyson has offered clearance discounts of up to $150 in April.
Skip: Summer essentials
Long months of winter blues could have you itching to skip spring and head straight to summer, but there are better times to stock up on swimsuits and sandals. Prices for seasonal items tend to be highest at the beginning of the season and lowest at the end.
Try to hold out a few more months. You can expect midseason sales after demand has cooled. June marks semiannual sale season. That’s when stores such as Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works typically offer the summer installment of their twice-annual blowout sales.
Buy: Beauty products
Keep your eyes peeled for markdowns on makeup and other beauty products this month. For example, Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty includes savings on items such as eyeshadow palettes and lipsticks. This sale runs through April 6. In the past, Sephora has also had a spring sale in April.
Bonus: Tax Day goodies
Tax Day is April 15. To brighten up this sometimes dreaded day, look for Tax Day deals from retailers, restaurants and elsewhere. We usually see offers for free or discounted food, paper shredding and even massages.
Expect to find plenty of these discounts and giveaways as Tax Day approaches. Check social media and your email inbox for offer details and announcements. The deals are often limited to Tax Day only, so you’ll have to act on them quickly.
Bonus: April Fools’ Day
April 1 may be a day for tricks and tall tales, but retailers don’t play when it comes to sales. If you want to buy something that’s not generally discounted in April, take advantage of a sitewide promo code to lower the price. Coupons will be plentiful on April Fools’ Day.
Kohl’s, Old Navy and Saks Fifth Avenue, among others, have used the annual pranking day as an opportunity to dish out real deals in past years. Many retailers email out these deals to their mailing subscribers.
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Courtney Jespersen is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: courtney@nerdwallet.com.