What to Buy (and Skip) in March 2026

Buy green gear closer to St. Patrick’s Day and look for deals on mattresses, vacuums and makeup in March.

Tommy Tindall
Lisa Mulka
Pamela de la Fuente
Updated
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March brings a welcome change in season and some decent reasons to shop, like a discount on a mattress or vacuum cleaner.
We clue you in on the categories to buy (and a few to skip) so you can make the most of your money.

Buy: Floor sample mattresses

New mattress models usually arrive in stores in the spring, making old mattresses potentially more affordable, according to Scott Paladini, who founded online mattress company Bear Mattress. If you care more about a bargain than getting the latest model, look for discounts on mattresses that have been displayed and tested on the showroom floor.

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Skip: Televisions

March is a month too late for great television deals. Super Bowl season typically delivers steep savings, including hundreds off on some 4K TVs. The next big opportunity for TV deals is July thanks to “big summer blowouts” like Prime Day and competing sales. It’s basically Black Friday in July. Of course, you can also expect plenty of electronics savings during actual Black Friday in November.

Buy: St. Patrick’s Day essentials

March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day, and it’s a good time to go for all things green
Many major retailers discount St. Patrick’s Day essentials in the days leading up to the holiday. Check stores in person just before the holiday or browse online retailers like Amazon and Wayfair ahead of time for something festive and on sale.
The longer you wait to shop, the better. The selection might be reduced, but so will prices. If you like wearing green all year, expect even bigger clearance deals after the holiday is over.
Pro tip from a sports fan: Find a green version of your favorite team’s hat or shirt to rock on the 17th.

Skip: Spring clothing

March 20 is the first day of spring, but it’s wise to wait a few weeks before outfitting yourself with spring apparel if you’re looking to save. New inventory, including clothing, generally costs the most at the beginning of a season.
Instead, consider stocking your closet with cold-weather staples for fall and winter in March. Winter clearance sales are still happening at many stores. The same can be true for winter sporting goods, like skis, snowboards and goggles.

Buy: Tax prep software

This one we’re going to caveat. Prices on tax software go up as the tax filing deadline approaches. So you can use March as your chance to get a deal on tax software. But, you might be able to skip paying for tax software altogether if you’re eligible for the IRS Free File program — 70% of Americans are. If you need to pay for tax prep, shop around for the software that fits your filing needs and your budget. Tax day is April 15 this year.

Skip: Furniture

March isn’t known for great sales on furniture, so we recommend holding off on major purchases for a little longer.
Wait for Memorial Day sales in May, when big-box chains and department stores will offer more discounts to entice customers to buy. If you can wait even longer, Labor Day deals in September will be hard to beat.

Buy: Vacuum cleaners

Spring cleaning and having a tidy house are on the minds of many. Retailers know this and tend to offer better deals than normal just before the start of cleaning season, according to Consumer Reports.

Sale alert: Ulta’s big event

Ulta has made March a good month for makeup thanks to its 21+ Days of Beauty event. It’s a semi-annual sale that also happens in September. This one starts March 6 and goes through March 26, so you’ll have lots of time to browse. Watch for competing discounts from other beauty retailers and brands.

Reasons to eat: National Ravioli Day and Pi Day

Good buys in March aren’t just available online and in stores. They’ll be at your local restaurant and supermarket, too.
Mark your calendar for food-related holidays, including Pi Day on March 14 (because 3.14) and National Ravioli Day on March 20. Although the former is inspired by math, restaurants and grocery stores like to celebrate the occasion with deals on pie with an “e.” Check social media for promotions.

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