Best Things to Buy in April 2023 ­— and 5 Things to Skip

The old saying “April showers bring May flowers" may be more proverbial wisdom than meteorological truth, but it doesn’t stop us from embracing the warmer days and spending some much-needed time outdoors. With spring in full swing, expect to find spring clothing discounts and deals on gardening supplies — although your biggest savings won’t arrive until summer.

This month, many of us observe Easter, Passover, or Eid al-Fitr. Look for restaurants and retail stores to offer various sales on food and gifts to help celebrate the holidays. In honor of Earth Day, shoppers can score deals on natural cleaning products, sustainable clothing, and organic foods. Read on for our list of the best things to buy in April — and five things to skip.

The Best Things to Buy in April

Spring Clothing

Now that we’ve entered the thick of spring, look for stores such as Old Navy, Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Madewell to begin clearing space for summer clothing. This is the perfect time to snag discounts on that colorful button-down, lightweight jacket, or pair of khakis. You may even score last-minute clearance deals on jackets, coats, boots, and other bulky winter clothing.

Spring Clothing Coupons

• Up to 75% off spring clearance items at Old Navy
• Up to 70% off sale items at Nordstrom
• Up to 50% off women’s clothing and accessories

Easter Clearance Items

In preparation for Easter (April 9), find flower bouquets up to 50% off at From You Flowers or 1-800-Flowers. Shop the Williams Sonoma Happiest Easter Sale for deals on themed dinnerware collections, table runners, and goodie baskets. Check your favorite restaurants for Easter brunch or dinner specials. The same advice holds true for those observing Passover or Eid al-Fitr.

For the best Easter clearance sales, consider shopping after the celebration is over. Visit stores such as Michaels and Target for discounts on Easter-themed baskets and crafts, and enjoy chocolate and candy deals from the likes of Ghirardelli, Jelly Belly, Harry & David, and more.

Easter Clearance Deals

• 10% off your order at Ghirardelli
•  50% off sitewide at From You Flowers
• $10 and under deals at Michaels

Natural and Sustainable Products

Earth Day (April 22) is celebrated each year by over a billion people in nearly 200 countries. Emphasizing issues such as pollution, sustainability, and climate change, Earth Day provides an annual opportunity to positively impact our environment. Retailers join in by offering sales on reusable accessories (think shopping bags and water bottles), natural beauty products, sustainably made clothing, smart lighting, organic food, plants, and more.

Earth Day Deals

• Shop discounts on sustainable products at Amazon
• Up to 74% off new markdowns on shoes at Toms
• 15% off your first order at Plants.com

Kitchenware

Savvy shoppers can find discounts on cookware from brands such as Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, Williams Sonoma, and more. With wedding season on the horizon, look for deals on common registry items such as dinnerware sets, pots, cooking utensils, and frying pans. Celebrating a recent college grad? Score a deal on a high-quality cutlery set or fancy charcuterie board.

Kitchenware Deals

• Save on kitchen essentials at Home Depot
• Top kitchen gifts under $20 at Target
• Up to 65% off Home Depot’s Spring Savings sale

Tires

As travelers get ready to hit the road for spring break and summer vacations, expect big discounts on tires from a wide range of retailers, such as Sam’s Club, Pep Boys, and TireBuyer. Sweeten the deal with up to $225 in rebates from manufacturers such as Goodyear.

Tire Deals

•  Up to $120 off tire sets at Sam’s Club
• Up to $300 off select tire sets
• 10% off all orders at TireBuyer

5 Things to Skip in April

1. Summer Clothing

Spring clothing is still on the clearance racks, so don’t expect to find any major summer apparel sales until later in the summer. Look for early deals on swimwear, sandals, tanks, and other summer gear beginning around Memorial Day (May 27), and then score even bigger discounts during Fourth of July and Labor Day sales.

2. Major Appliances

Memorial Day will offer your first opportunity for sizable savings on large appliances. Start researching for your next big-ticket item, whether it’s a washing machine, dishwasher, refrigerator, or oven. That way, you’ll be ready when the first sales are announced at Macy’s, Home Depot, and other major retailers.

3. Electronics

We’re still a few months away from Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday in July, which are typically your best bets for summer deals on flatscreen TVs, laptops, computers, and speakers. Smartphones won’t see significant markdowns until the latest models are released in the fall.

4. Mattresses

You’ll find better prices on new mattresses during Memorial Day sales in May, but you can still land a great deal on older models or floor samples. Check out your local store to see what’s on sale, or shop online at major retailers such as Mattress Firm.

5. Cars

According to Carfax, the best time of year to buy a car is December, when salespeople are hustling to hit annual quotas and land bonuses. Dealerships also leverage holiday weekends such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday by showcasing major sales. If you’re set on buying a car in April, consider shopping on weekdays — less foot traffic means more time to negotiate — or at the end of the month, when dealers are motivated to hit monthly sales goals.