What to buy, skip in April

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 15: People shop and eat in a Manhattan shopping mall on March 15, 2016 in New York City. The Commerce Department announced that retail sales fell in February. Compared with a year ealier, retail sales fell 0.1 percent as consumers are still nervous about the global economic outlook. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Credit: Spencer Platt

Credit: Spencer Platt

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 15: People shop and eat in a Manhattan shopping mall on March 15, 2016 in New York City. The Commerce Department announced that retail sales fell in February. Compared with a year ealier, retail sales fell 0.1 percent as consumers are still nervous about the global economic outlook. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)


A new month brings a new batch of discounts.

The deal-hunting website FatWallet.com says shoppers this month can expect to find savings on lawn and garden equipment, outdoor sports gear, cleaning supplies and other spring essentials.

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“Established home owners, who make up more than half of all CPG spending this month, are the main focus for the majority of April’s spring sales events,” stated Brent Shelton, online shopping expert for FatWallet.com. “Items from lawn prep to patio and home appliance upgrades see some the best prices of the year throughout April, right up to Mother’s Day.”

Here are the top tips from Fat Wallet’s annual “What to Buy in April” shopping guide:

Spring Cleaning Deals: April showers help to wash off the winter, but they won't do a deep clean. Home improvement and big box retailers hold big weekend home sales featuring savings on spring cleaning supplies and tools, vacuums, shopvacs, storage bins, garage organizers and car wash and waxes. Smart shoppers will seek out B1G1 deals on cleaners and heavily discounted bulk paper towels and rags that will last through summer.

Spring Apparel and Gear: New seasonal spring apparel gets a second go around and better pricing compared to late March, with a range of 20-40% off top name-brand clothing, activewear and running shoes from stores like Nike, Under Armour and Adidas. Outdoor sports stores such as REI, Cabela's and Dick's Sporting Goods display deep discount pricing on the latest sports and outdoors gear for baseball, golfing, hiking, cycling, fishing, hunting and camping.

Lawn, Garden and Patio Needs: Stores like Walmart and Sears rain down timely savings on outdoor spring essentials by offering seasonal deals on lawn and garden needs. Expect 10-30% off lawn seed/fertilizers, landscaping/mulching, perennial bulbs and plants, shrubs and trees and many high-quality tools and equipment to help DIYers do the work. Other home maintenance sales include savings for paint, deck and siding cleaners, washers, hoses and sprayers.

Mother's Day Sales: Some folks find hidden savings from spring sales as they shop for mom. April can present better over-all savings (vs. May) on jewelry and luxury apparel accessories like handbags. Spring sales also offer some of the lowest prices ever on last year's health juicers, coffee makers, cookware and small kitchen appliances. Local deals from Groupon and Living Social offer great savings alternatives for moms with up to 50% off coupons at restaurants, spas, fitness classes, auto-detailing and spring house cleanings.