10 Ways to Make the Most of Labor Day Sales

For many, Labor Day signifies the "last hurrah" before summer ends. One last, long weekend to fire up the barbecue, get together with friends and family, and enjoy your favorite summer activities. 

Labor Day is also a great time to shop. Many retail and online outlets offer special end-of-summer Labor day deals on everything from shoes to cars and from grills to toys. Because most Americans have been feeling the budget-stretching effects of the current economy, it's tempting to want to save money during inflation any way possible.

However, just because you can find tons of Labor Day deals on just about everything you want or need this holiday doesn't mean you should run out and purchase it all. Some deals that seem too good to be true can be even better at other times (Black Friday is just around the corner, after all), and some items aren't really worth purchasing right now. 

Make the most of upcoming Labor Day sales and shop smart by following these 10 tips. 

1. Make a Labor Day Shopping plan. 

While it may be tempting to head to the mall or big box store to just see what's on sale, this plan (or lack thereof) can lead to too many impulse buys. Instead, think it through ahead of time. First, make a list of items you are needing or hoping to find. Some items shoppers search for are bedding, a new mattress, and electronics. Then, scour the internet or paper ads to find the best deals on those items. Stick to focusing on Labor Day sales and deals over the weekend.

2. Find the best Labor Day sales with promo codes and coupons. 

While you're looking at online and print ads, keep your eyes peeled for Labor Day sale coupons. While some stores still do use paper coupons, you can often find those same coupons online or on the store's app. Download these apps ahead of time, cut or save coupons, and keep a list of any online coupon or promo codes for items you're planning to purchase. Every little bit of savings helps! 

3. Install deal-tracking browser extensions & cash-back apps. 

Once you sign up for deal trackers like Honey and Coupert, you can then download their extension to your internet browser. By joining these sites and adding the extension, you give them permission to browse the internet for you and find deals. They can search for and add coupon codes at checkout for you. You can also set up alerts for certain items and these sites will email you when the price drops. 

Ibotta and Rakuten are sites that offer cash-back incentives for purchasing items from thousands of common retailers through their site. If you're going to purchase something online, might as well enjoy the perks of cash back, too. 

4. Avoid Labor Day deals on computers and electronics. 

Although you can certainly find deals for computers, TVs, and video game systems, Labor Day sales aren't necessarily the best prices. Black Friday, Cyber Monday and other holiday sales are considered some of the best times to buy a computer. If you want a new television, it's best to wait until the spring or other major holidays to score better deals. As for video game consoles, the best deals can be found on older models in January.

5. Scour the seasonal clearance aisles and racks. 

Labor Day sales are a great time to score deals on end-of-season items. Summer shoes like sandals and flip flops, shorts, bathing suits, and towels are just a few of the clothing items you'll be able to find on super sale. You'll also find terrific deals from many retail and online outlets on other summer items like outdoor furniture and grills. Buying items at the end of the season is a great way to take advantage of Labor Day sales.

6. Think beyond brick-and-mortar retail stores. 

Hitting up retail outlets is for sure a great way to score a deal but you can find a wider variety online. For best results, hit up the stores and see if you can find what's on your list. If it's out of stock, check on the store's website or search other websites for similar items on sale. It's so easy to find the best deal when the information is literally in the palm of your hand. 

7. Wait to purchase toys. 

While it might be tempting to get some of that holiday shopping out of the way super early over Labor Day, your best bets for great deals on toys are just a couple of months away on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. 

8. Find the best Labor Day sales later in the weekend. 

Labor Day sales run the entire weekend. If you can wait till Monday to shop, you might find some stores will mark down their sales items even further to get rid of merchandise so they can make room for fall and winter items. 

9. Keep an eye on luxury items. 

If you've been saving up for a designer purse or had your eye on some more expensive shoes, Labor Day sales can be the perfect time of year to find them at a great discount. You may not find such deals by visiting a Louis Vuitton store at the mall, but you might find something you like at a Macy’s or Nordstrom.

10. Score big on mattresses and furniture. 

Many home and mattress stores advertise huge discounts over Labor Day. Now is the time when you could see these normally pricey items on sale for 40% off or more. As always, check all the stores and ads before you shop to find the best deals. You may not need to go into a store, you can find Labor Day deals for furniture on Wayfair and Amazon.

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