This may come as a surprise, but May is a great month to pull the trigger on items you’ve been eyeing for a while or even those that you didn’t realize receive deep discounts during this time of the year. Think about all the different holidays that occur during May, like Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, and Memorial Day. May is also big for graduations and weddings along with the idea that people are getting ready for summer. With so much to celebrate, there's bound to be some deals. Keep reading to find out which items you should buy in May and which ones to purchase later.
Mattresses
Shop for mattresses during the month of May, recommends Jean Chatzky, finance expert and CEO of HerMoney.com. To find the best deals, start your search for a new mattress at the beginning of the month and keep researching and narrowing down your choices until you're near the end of the month. Memorial Day sales tend to offer the biggest savings as manufacturers begin marking down older models and box springs. If you time it right, you can walk away with the bed of your dreams and more money in your pocket. If you miss these offers, then your next best bet for a good mattress deal is around the Fourth of July and Labor Day.
Refrigerators
In the market for a new refrigerator? With prices averaging $2,300, you'll want to look for sales or coupons on these big-ticket items. May’s a great time to shop for deals, partly because of the Memorial Day holiday. You may want to take advantage of these deals if your refrigerator is nine-years-old or older, as the average lifespan of this appliance is between nine and 13 years. However, if your fridge is no longer maintaining the right temperature, you may not want to wait.
Home Decor and Furniture
May is a good time to buy furniture. Not only are people gearing up for a big move during this time, but according to Sara Skirboll, resident Shopping & Trends expert for RetailMeNot, “May brings great discounts on furniture as new models and styles are being released, so retailers want to make room for new inventory.” People also want to freshen their homes up with a new look. That makes it a great time to shop for indoor furniture and save money on items that would generally cost a lot more. Keep your eyes out for Wayfair coupons or deals from similar home furnishings stores to save even more money.
Small Appliances
According to The Knot’s Real Wedding Study, 73% of all weddings take place between May to October. That means newlyweds and college graduates have something in common during this month: They are both starting something new. Those new beginnings spark new living arrangements and with it the need for small kitchen appliances like cookware, blenders, and coffee pots. May’s a great time to secure some of these items and pay less cost than normal.
Spring and Athletic Apparel
As the weather warms up and people get ready for summertime, there’s a draw in May toward athletic clothing. That’s because people will be wearing less clothes than usual and they want to get in shape. You may be able to find discounted and clearance items for your exercise routine or warm weather needs, along with more shorts, dresses, and t-shirts to enjoy during the last full month of spring. If you're ordering online, check first for Under Armour promo codes or similar discounts.
Maternity and Baby Gear
According to the Smithsonian Magazine, May is the perfect time to shop for deep discounts on maternity clothes and baby items since more babies are born in summer and early fall. Since more babies are born in summer and early fall, according to the Smithsonian Magazine, May is the perfect time to shop for deep discounts on maternity clothes and baby items. Moms-to-be will also need clothes that work for the season. So along with a changing body, the changing season often prompts sales on items that both mother and baby will enjoy. Some maternity clothing stores can reduce prices by as much as 30%, says RetailMeNot's Skirboll.
Star Wars Apparel
If you’re a Star Wars fan or if you know one, you might be familiar with the fun fan day that happens on May 4th. It comes from a play on words from the popular phrase spoken in Star Wars movies: “May the force be with you.” In prior years, larger retailers like Target and Amazon have joined in the fun by offering discounted Stars Wars-themed clothing. If you know a young Padawan or are a Jedi master yourself, May is the best time to save on some really cool gear.
What Not to Buy in May
Now you know what items you should buy in May, but do you know what things you should avoid purchasing during this time? Electronics such as laptops are on that list of items to avoid. Don’t buy these items in May because they will be at a peak discount during Black Friday.
Although it seems like outdoor furniture would be great to purchase in May as people gear up to get outside and enjoy warm weather more, grills and patio furniture are cheaper in the fall.
The same goes for jewelry. May is the wrong time to look for discounts, even with Mother’s Day. Jewelry and other items follow a pattern when it comes to deals. Prices go down when demand decreases. Some experts say the best time to buy jewelry is in July.
