The Update

What to Buy and What to Skip in May

The month of May kicks off summer and hosts one the biggest shopping holiday weekends of the year. Because of this, you can pick up fantastic deals this month, but some purchases are best pushed off a bit longer or for another season.

Here’s what to buy and what you can wait on.

Buy: Furniture

Memorial Day sales feature great prices on major home-related purchases. Look for new furniture like dinette sets, sofas and more at your favorite stores and through online sites. Sales often start a full week before Memorial Day, so shop early for the best selection.

Skip: Swimwear and lingerie

Beach season may be starting soon, but you’re best off waiting another month to pick up your new swimwear and lingerie. The sale cycle for these is set by lingerie giant Victoria’s Secret. The company usually hosts a semi-annual sale each June, and competing retailers are quick to join. Hold out just a little longer before perfecting your beach look for the season to save yourself a bundle!

Buy: Athletic apparel and loungewear

It’s time for cooler workout clothing, and that means retailers will be slashing prices on their leftover workout gear from the winter to make room for the new lines. You’ll also see bargain-priced loungewear as people get outside and spend less time indoors. If you need new footwear, check out major shoe retailers and department stores for steep discounts on sneakers as old styles must move to make room for the new.

Skip: Home electronics

May is not the time to pick up new electronics. Laptops, gaming consoles and more always see their lowest prices in November during Black Friday sales events. If you can’t wait that long, you can also find deals on electronics during the back-to-school shopping season in August.

Buy: Spring apparel

The weather may have only turning turned reliably milder,now, but in the world of retail, May is well into the warm-weather season. Spring clothing will see steep discounts this month, so you can fill out your spring wardrobe without busting your budget. Check for sales on your favorite retailers’ social media pages, websites or by signing up for email and/or text alerts so you never miss a sale.

Skip: Summer apparel

While spring clothing may be discounted in May, it’s still too early to start stocking up on summer wear. Leave the flip-flop and tank-top shopping for the July Fourth weekend, or even August, for truly bargain prices.

Skip: Outdoor furniture and grills

There’s lots of grilling holidays coming up, including Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day, but hold off on purchasing a new grill for now. Grills will be steeply discounted at the end of the summer during Labor Day sale events. If you must buy a new grill for this season, though, you can find them at slightly lowered prices during Memorial Day sales.

Buy: Major home appliances

Is your fridge on its last legs? Is your oven about to give out? Pick up major home appliances for less during Memorial Day sale events. You can also replace or buy new small home appliances like coffee makers, blenders and more during these sales. Be sure to check out competing retailers before making a purchase to ensure you’re getting the best price on your appliance.

Skip: Outdoor furniture

With all the time spent outside in these warm-weather months, you’re likely itching to upgrade your patio furniture. However, it’s best to hold off on these purchases until Labor Day weekend sale events, when prices can be slashed by as much as 50%.

Buy: Mattresses and bedding

If you’re itching to upgrade the quality of your sleep, you can pick up new mattresses at bargain prices during Memorial Day sales. Check out major retailers, like Macy’s and Sleepy’s, as well as online sources, like Overstock.com, for the best prices. You can deck out your new mattresses in stylish and comfy bedding for less this month as well.