News & Trending Shopping & Deals News

May Is the Best Month To Buy These 15 Things

Look for deep discounts on everything from Star Wars merch to fitness trackers

woman with shopping bags looking at store
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

We usually think of Black Friday as a major shopping event and a prime time to save money on essentials and splurges. But with Mother’s Day and Memorial Day within a few weeks of each other, May can also be a prime shopping time.

Warm weather ushers in new summer inventory, leaving a sale of springtime clearance items in its wake. Here are a few sales and discounted items to be on the lookout for in May.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!1

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

Star Wars items

meskolo/Adobe star wars lego

Stemming from the pun “May the fourth be with you,” May 4th is the unofficial Star Wars day. Look for stores capitalizing on this trend with sales of Star Wars branded merchandise.

Spring clothing

Floral Deco/Adobe female clothing items

By May, stores are beginning to clear out their springtime inventory to make way for summer clothing, swimsuits, and other seasonal wares. Look for deep discounts on spring clothing (and maybe a few leftover winter pieces, too) during the month of May.

Outdoor accessories

Anneleven/Adobe patio furniture

Once the weather warms up, customers think about spending more time outdoors. This trend leads to sales on outdoor furniture, lighting, potted plants, and other yard-centric items. 

Many hardware and big-box stores run specials on outdoor accessories around Memorial Day.

Get a protection plan on all your appliances

Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.

Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.

For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.

Get a free quote

Fine jewelry

Piman Khrutmuang/Adobe diamond rings and necklaces

Fine jewelry is a common purchase around Mother’s Day, so look for after-holiday discounts on bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and more. 

This could be mom-specific merchandise such as an “I Love You, Mom” pendant or more general pieces like gold earrings or a tennis bracelet.

Fitness trackers

DenPhoto/Adobe apple watch series 4

Whether it’s for Mother’s Day gifts or coinciding with the onset of summer, fitness trackers are a popular sale item in May. Options can be upscale, including GPS and sleep tracking, or simple with basic features like a heart rate monitor and step counter.

Strollers

Petro/Adobe mother walking with a baby in stroller

Walks with children are much more pleasant once the weather warms up, so look for sales on strollers of all shapes and styles. Data from Consumer Reports suggests that many retailers sell strollers at a discount around this time of year.

Strawberries

alicja neumiler/Adobe fresh strawberries in basket

Strawberries are one of the few fruits that mature early in the U.S., so their price often dips in springtime, but their quality starts to go up. 

Whether you want a strawberry shortcake for a Mother’s Day celebration or just a great afternoon snack, strawberries make a wonderful — and economical — spring treat.

Asparagus

nata_vkusidey/Adobe asparagus

Like strawberries, asparagus tends to mature early and can be found fresh in grocery stores between April and June. 

During this window, you’re likely to find the freshest and least expensive asparagus; it may be difficult to find fresh asparagus at a good price during other times of the year.

Lawn care equipment

ronstik/Adobe lawn care equipment

Warm weather means it’s time to start mowing the lawn again. Look for Memorial Day sales on leaf blowers, chainsaws, lawnmowers, and other lawn care equipment.

Stop overpaying when you shop online

Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.

Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.

Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!2

Get Capital One Shopping now

Sunscreen

Antonioguillem/Adobe woman putting sunscreen

Most pools don’t open until Memorial Day, but sunscreen will go on sale before then as people are spending more time outdoors. You may find some good deals on insect repellant too.

Appliances

wavebreak3/Adobe woman applying fridge

Memorial Day is a huge sale day for large appliances. Look for deep discounts on washers, freezers, fridges, and more.

Perfume

Africa Studio/Adobe woman applying perfume

As a popular Mother’s Day gift, perfume tends to go on sale right before the holiday. Look for markdowns both in retail stores and online.

Grills

Lukas Gojda/Adobe barbecue flaming grill

A grill at the venue enhances Memorial Day barbecues, Mother’s Day brunches, Father’s Day parties, and graduation soirees. Starting in May, hardware stores and big-box retailers offer sales and discounts.

Bike helmets

iuricazac/Adobe male rider wearing helmet

Another popular outdoor accessory, bike helmets, also go on sale in May. Bike shops and big-box stores may offer Memorial Day sales on helmets and other bike accessories.

Air conditioners

The Toidi/Adobe HVAC air conditioner

You might not need one in May (or, depending on where you live, you might have had your AC on since March), but stores know that customers like to have their AC installed and taken care of before the heat of summer is in full swing. 

If you need one for your home, don’t pass on a great May deal on an air conditioning unit.

Bottom line

Rawpixel.com/Adobe  The Toidi

May is a big shopping time. Many stores have Mother’s Day and Memorial Day sales, and most are clearing out spring inventory to make room for seasonal summer items. 

If you capitalize on these trends, you may be able to score some great deals and keep more cash in your wallet.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details