This year’s Memorial Day sales could be key for cash-strapped Americans feeling the sting of soaring inflation.

The three-day holiday weekend usually marks a strong surge in sales, making it a good time to stock up, “especially if it’s something you know you’re going to need,” Simon said. Blanchard, associate professor at the McDonough School of Georgetown University. Company.

This is especially true after the recent price spike, Blanchard added.

Learn more about personal finance:
Try these fuel-saving tips before you hit the road
How to save money on groceries as food prices rise
More Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, report says

However, some discounts may not seem significant today compared to what things cost a year ago, he warned. “The reality is that sales will be different because prices aren’t what they used to be.”

Use price-tracking apps like camelcamelcamel to see how good a deal really is, Blanchard advised.

Also consider whether the packaging has changed as more companies try to hide higher costs by reducing the amount you get, a strategy known as “shrinkflation.”

“If you get 25% off and the product is down 20%, is that really such a good deal?”

There will still be plenty of good discounts, said Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst at DealNews.com, of the sales that typically kick off midweek and run through Monday.

“Due to inflation, the starting price may be higher, which means that the sale price may not be as low as we hoped, but that does not mean that it is a bad deal,” she said.

The best deals will be on mattresses, spring clothes and appliances, Ramhold said, though there are discounts across a wide range of categories if you know where to look.

• Mattress : Memorial Day is one of the best times to buy a mattress, according to Ramhold. Expect big discounts from Casper and Tempur-Pedic, plus department stores like JC Penney and Macy’s, which could discount mattresses (and bedding) by up to 60%.

• Clothes: Spring clothing is another big part of the Memorial Day sales surge, Ramhold said. Discounts can be up to 50% as retailers clear old stock to make room for new arrivals. Even though these are last season’s merchandise, you can find plenty of items that will carry over into the summer, she added.

• Appliances: Major appliances, like fridges, ovens, washers and dryers, have been hard to find since the start of the Covid pandemic, but retailers including Home Depot, Lowe’s and Best Buy are still offering discounts. about 30% to displace older models. of the ground.

If you look beyond the big box stores, you can find even better deals at independent stores, Ramhold advised.

• Furniture and interior decoration: There will also be plenty of sales from online retailers like Overstock.com, but savings will vary by brand or category, so you’ll have to shop around, Ramhold said.

“If you’re looking for household items, be aware that you may have to search the deals to see what’s out there,” she said.

Still, it’s a good time to think ahead and save money on household items you might need later.

• Grills and patio furniture: If you’re ready to upgrade your outdoor space, there will be deals on grills, fire pits and outdoor furniture, but since these items are in high demand early in the season, “retailers don’t have the same incentive to offer such good prices on them,” Ramhold said.

Expect to see 20% off barbecue grills and 30% to 50% off a small selection of patio furniture. “The discounts are there, but they will be modest at best,” Ramhold said. Markdowns improve in August and September when retailers want to clear their shelves, she added.

Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.