This is the big one – Memorial Day!

If you are heading out to find the bed of your dreams, here are a few things to keep in mind:

HYPE: EVERYONE is having a “BIG” sale. Don’t fall for the hype. Buying  the correct mattress is more important than “getting this last one for 75% off.” Or, that gift card or TV – remember if you are getting freebies, you are paying for it somewhere.

COMFORT: The way the mattress conforms to your body is probably the most important factor in getting the right mattress. Only alignment rivals in importance. Make sure you spend greater amounts of time in your natural sleeping position on your final selections.

ALIGNMENT: If you have a spouse or shopping buddy with you, or if there is a good salesperson who can help, have them look at your body alignment on your back, side and natural sleep position. If your spine is not aligned properly, you will have wasted your money and will feel it in your back every morning.

PRICE: Make sure you do a little comparison shopping. Compare apples-to-apples to see if the mattress you like is competitively priced. Make sure you add in everything – delivery, protectors, frames etc. If one store is more than another, don’t hesitate to ask for a better deal – just make sure you have your facts straight. Sealy mattress sets, for instance can range from a $300 to $4,000. There will be a huge difference in quality, so make sure they are at least close. Get the name, shop, price and any specs that you can to make a positive comparison.

INFO: What size are you shopping for today? What is your budget? What is the maximum height for a new set on your existing bed? Do you need a frame? Do you have a waterproof, breathable mattress protector? How are your pillows? What about guest beds, children’s beds, lake house beds? Be prepared to answer many of these questions before venturing out to shop.

DISCOUNT: Whether its 20% or 80% is irrelevant. The starting price can vary greatly from store to store. What is the final, out the door price. That is what you need to know. And if the price magically drops while you are there, be very cautious. If they can easily drop the price, it may be way overpriced.

Happy Memorial Day Mattress Shopping!!