What to Buy (and Skip) in April

[Editor’s note: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, in-store shopping may not be feasible, and some of these items may not be available.]

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 4 this year, so the middle of the month will be an ideal time to stock up on holiday leftovers, such as candy and decorations. Look for post-Easter 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 smaller kitchen appliance like a blender.

Memorial Day is May 31 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.

[Editor’s note: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, in-store shopping may not be feasible, and some of these items may not be available.]

Take advantage of April’s discounts with our list of the top things you should buy — and a few you should avoid.

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 will host its 21 Days of Beauty at the end of March and beginning of April. Sephora has had a spring sale in late April.