Game Plan is a monthly guide to help you manage the month ahead.
Spring lower: The effects of a very late-arriving spring continue to have an effect on clothing sales. Retailers usually roll out spring fashions in February and push out remaining winter clothes then. But who wanted to shop for lightweight clothes — or anything else — when the snow was still flying? With that point in mind, shoppers should expect the prices of spring fashions to plunge this month.
Rest easier: This is Better Sleep Month (yes, there is one), which means that new mattress models are making their annual rollout into stores, and old models are going on sale. Tempur Sealy International recently reported that it will have new models to help drive growth this year, so if the world’s largest bedding provider plans to ramp it up a notch, the rest of the industry also will offer some cushy deals.
Appliance upgrade: Like mattress makers, manufacturers of refrigerators are sending new models to retailers this month, meaning that the perfectly serviceable old model year will be on sale. With many homeowners looking to do home remodeling after the long winter, sales on iceboxes come just in time.
Something used: More than 10,000 bargain-hunters are expected to flood into German Village on May 17 for the city’s biggest yard sale, the annual “Village Valuables.” Residents set up shop on the sidewalks, in their yards and garages, selling everything from housewares to antiques, usually with plenty of one-of-a-kind items. It runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and maps of sale locations will be distributed at the German Village Meeting Haus, 588 S. 3rd St.
Popping through: It might seem like a miracle, but once-frozen Ohio soil will start producing fresh fruits and vegetables this month. May is mostly time for the hardy stuff, such as asparagus, cabbage, various greens, radishes and spinach, according to ourohio.org. If you’re looking for something sweeter, strawberries also come in season.
Rising temperatures: The hottest months of the year are near, so now is the time to look at ways to reduce your air-conditioning costs. In Ohio, you can choose an alternative electricity supplier, and many of those options are less expensive than the utility’s current prices. The best way to shop is to look at many offers in one place, which you can do at www.energy choice.ohio.gov, a website set up by state regulators. For best results, have your electricity bill in hand when you go to the site. Also, know that it will take a month or two for the switch to take effect. So, if you want a new supplier by July, choose it now.
Tax Refunds: Some unpaid debts can make your federal tax refund disappear. The Treasury Department is allowed to take part or all of your refund to pay debts such as child support, student loans or state income taxes. You’ll get a notice if your refund has been taken to pay a debt. If you want to dispute the debt, the Internal Revenue Service says you should contact the agency that received the money.
Job fairs: A few to check out this month:
• A job fair focused on logistics will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on May 13 at Columbus State Community College’s Center for Workforce Development, 315 Cleveland Ave. For information, visit columbus.org/jobfair.
• National Career Fair will hold a Columbus fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 20 at the Hyatt Regency, 350 N. High St.
• Catalyst Career Group’s Diversity Job Fair of Columbus will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 21 at the Embassy Suites Columbus, 2700 Corporate Exchange Dr.
• The 10th annual Easton Job Fair will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on May 22 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton, 3900 Chagrin Dr.
Interview help: Job-seekers lucky enough to be called in for a face-to-face sometimes blow the interview because they’re stumped by tough questions. Learn how to answer at an interview-prep workshop to be held from 7:45 to 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday at the offices of New Directions Career Center, 199 E. Rich St. Call 614-849-0028, Ext. 100, to register. There’s a $10 fee, payable at the door.
Cup discount: Do not throw out your large McDonald’s beverage cups. For a second year, TourismOhio and the burger chain have teamed up on Discover Ohio to Go. The promotion offers discounts at Buckeye tourist destinations such as Cedar Point, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, the Cincinnati Reds, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium and Hocking Hills Canopy Tours. Just bring your empty cup. For a list of participating McDonald’s and tourist attractions, go to discoverohiotogo.com.
Festival time: The annual Asian Festival will be held May 24-25 at Franklin Park. The free-admission event features art demonstrations, interactive dance performances, music, martial-arts workshops, games and Asian cuisine. For more information, go to http://asian-festival.org.
Hit the trail: Get in touch with your outside — and wild — side at some of Metro Park’s many free May events. Highbanks will host the Howl at the Moon 3.5-mile hike — with your dog(s) — on May 14 at 8:30 p.m.; Battelle Darby Creek offers a 1-mile hike to see the park’s bison on May 17 at 1 p.m. For a list of all programs, go to www.metroparks.net.
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View Slideshow Dispatch file photo The annual Asian Festival returns to Franklin Park this month. The free-admission event celebrates arts, cultures and cuisines. 
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