“If you want to find morality, don’t look at the stock market”

You may be in the market for a mattress. But choosing the right bed to meet your budget can be tricky if you go into the decision cold.

Do this homework before buying a mattress. Research goes a long way: “There’s no better way to waste money at a mattress store than to buy a mattress that’s ultimately going to be bad for you,” said Michael Magnuson, founder of the online mattress guide Goodbed. But how do you know what kind of mattress is good for you?

“The No. 1 thing that everyone has to know about mattresses is that they’re very personal,” Magnuson said. Factors such as your typical sleep position, weight, firmness preference and whether or not you sleep with a partner determine which mattress will give you a solid night’s sleep. Identify those things about yourself, or try Goodbed’s mattress-finder quiz.

This research may also tell you what types of mattresses you prefer, such as memory foam or pillow-top, and their price range.

This knowledge also helps the salesperson help you. They’ll better understand what you’re looking for and will be more likely to connect you to it.

What’s this going to set you back? Part of your research is thinking about your budget. Now is not the time to be too frugal, if you can help it. “If you’re going to spend a lot of money on something, a mattress is worth it,” said Lexie Sachs, textiles director at the Good

Housekeeping Institute. After all, a quality mattress is important for your sleep and thus well-being.

Depending on a few factors, Magnuson says you can probably find a high-quality queen mattress for about $1,000. Keep in mind that you can spend less for rarely used guest-room beds, according to the mattress-review site The Slumber Yard.

Alternative, cheaper ways to buy a mattress: There are plenty of opportunities to buy a mattress online, through retailers such as Casper, Tuft & Needle, Helix and many others. Mattresses sold online are typically less expensive than those sold in stores. And most online retailers offer generous trial periods and free returns.

However, one thing to keep in mind is what you’ll do with your old mattress (folks who deliver from a brickand-mortar store typically haul away your old one) and, if you don’t like your new mattress, how exactly you’ll be able to return it.