How to shop Memorial Day sales the right way, according to experts

For What It's WorthMemorial Day sales 101: What to buy (and avoid) so you don’t have regrets laterTech is the last thing we recommend adding to your right now — waiting a month or two could save you hundreds.May 21, 2026, 8:15 PM EDTZoe MalinReporterSkip to table of contentsMemorial Day is the first of numerous summer sales holidays, and knowing exactly what you should and shouldn't buy can help you shop strategically to save the most.Vivian Le / NBCFor What It’s Worth is a live podcast about the stuff we use, the trends we question and the products we can’t stop talking about. Stream new episodes bi-weekly on YouTube, hosted by NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson and NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin. Shop our product picks below and on Amazon.You’re only going to see more and more retailers kick off their Memorial Day sales in the next few days, but especially if you’re tightening your budget due to rising gas and grocery prices, knowing what’s actually worth buying is key. In this episode of NBC Select’s For What It’s Worth Podcast, editorial director Lauren Swanson and I break down exactly that: the best Memorial Day sales to shop, what categories to stay away from right now and how to get extra money back while shopping. Find that information and more below.The biggest Memorial Day sales we recommend shoppingAmazon: Up to 40% off sitewideBest Buy: Up to 50% off sitewideHome Depot: Up to 50% off sitewideLowe’s: Up to 50% off sitewideMattress Firm: Up to $700 off select mattresses sitewideNordstrom: Up to 40% off during the Designer Clearance saleOld Navy: Up to 50% off sitewideREI: Up to 50% off sitewide during the REI Anniversary SaleTarget: Up to 45% off sitewideWayfair: Up to 70% off Memorial Day clearanceRelated articlesEarly Memorial Day sales are here: Up to 70% off Supergoop, Apple, Ninja, Leesa and moreThe 4 best things to buy during Memorial Day sales — and the 2 you should absolutely avoidThe 50+ absolute best deals at REI’s Anniversary...