Thanksgiving is one of the most expensive weekends of the year, especially for retirees living on fixed incomes. The pressure to get your home “holiday-ready” can push shoppers into purchases that aren’t actually smart buys.
Check Out: I Asked a Contractor and Other Experts What I Should Never Buy at Home Depot: Here’s What They Said
Trending Now: 9 Low-Effort Ways To Make Passive Income (You Can Start This Week)
While Lowe’s is a great place for seasonal decor, home upgrades and winter prep, many items are marked up the week of Thanksgiving or simply better purchased at a different time of year. For responsible retirees focused on stretching every dollar, a little timing can go a long way. Below are the Lowe’s items experts say to skip until prices drop or the holiday rush ends.
In contrast, here are top Home Depot items retirees should buy before Thanksgiving.
High-End Kitchen Appliances
- Price: $349.99
Big-ticket appliances almost never hit their lowest prices right before Thanksgiving. Stand mixers, air fryers and multi-cookers, like this KitchenAid tilt-head stand mixer priced at $349.99, typically get steep Black Friday markdowns.
Explore Next: 5 Best Types of Items Retirees Should Buy at Costco During Black Friday
Single-Use Holiday Cooking Tools
- Price: $129
Turkey fryers, oversized roasting pans and carving sets tend to be expensive for items that only come out once a year. Products such as the Masterbuilt turkey fryer, for $129, rarely see discounts before Thanksgiving. Retirees can use a traditional oven or opt for a cheaper option like the Char-Broil turkey fryer for about $90 on Amazon.
Fancy Dinnerware Sets
- Price: $52.16
It’s easy to get pulled in by the holiday displays, but seasonal dinnerware often carries a markup in November. Sets like the Gibson Home 16-piece dinnerware set for $52.16 typically see better discounts closer to Christmas. If you just need a few extra place settings for guests, everyday white dishes from discount retailers or plastic utensils are a far more cost-effective solution.
Last-Minute Seating for Guests
- Price: $157.33
Picking up a new dining set or extra seating right before guests arrive is often a losing game. Prices are high, delivery windows are tight and many pieces — like the Westin Furniture FrondForm set of two stackable chairs for $157.33 — won’t arrive in time anyway. Retirees looking to save should wait for Black Friday, clearance events or used items on marketplaces to save.
Smart Lighting Systems
- Price: $29.98
Upgrading your home’s lighting right before hosting can feel tempting, but these projects rarely make financial sense the week of Thanksgiving. Smart bulbs, dimmable switches and chandeliers, including GE smart LED bulbs for $29.98 for a three-pack often require installation time and don’t hit their lowest prices until after Black Friday. Unless a fixture truly needs replacing, this is one upgrade that can wait.
Luxury Bedding and Guest Room Linens
- Price: $39.54
Guest room makeovers can get pricey quickly. Bedding — such as this one from Ienjoy Home — often stays at full price through mid-November. Black Friday, early December and even January are typically better times to buy. Retirees can refresh guest spaces now with what they have and shop for upgrades once the sales ramp up.
Outdoor Power Equipment
- Price: $499.99
Snowblowers, leaf blowers and chainsaws generally sit at their highest early-season pricing heading into Thanksgiving. Products like the Husqvarna chainsaw for $499.99 tend to see bigger markdowns later in the winter or for Black Friday. Unless an immediate need pops up, retirees can save by waiting for those seasonal dips or considering refurbished models.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
More From GOBankingRates
- 7 Little Luxuries To Buy at Dollar Tree This November
- 5 Sam's Club Items Under $35 That Smart Seniors Should Stock Up On for Winter
- 25 Places To Buy a Home If You Want It To Gain Value
- 7 Ways Your Paycheck Indicates If You're Rich or Middle Class
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 Lowe’s Items Responsible Retirees Should Avoid Ahead of Thanksgiving
