Memorial Day stems from the aftermath of the Civil War, when Americans sought ways to honor the loss of life from that catastrophic war that resulted in the death of at least 2 percent of the population at the time, according to the website of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Memorial Day is, of course, a time to honor America's fallen soldiers. It's also the unofficial start of summer, even if the solstice is still a few weeks away. As always, the Buy Side staff is busy finding the best deals for you to shop and save this holiday.