What to Buy (and Skip) in May 2025
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It’s home project season and some of the deals in May reflect that. In the month ahead, you’ll likely stumble on sales for appliances, apparel and even exterior and interior paint.
To help you shop smart and save money, we created a guide for what you should buy (and a few things you should skip) during the month of May.
Buy: Blinds, furniture and appliances
May is a prime time to spruce up the home. That’s because Memorial Day sales are packed with markdowns on indoor and outdoor furniture, appliances and home improvement products.
Expect discounts from the major players like Lowe’s, Best Buy and Wayfair. Check specialty stores and websites for discounts on pricey items like blinds. Last year, Blinds.com offered up to 50% off during its Memorial Day sale.
Memorial Day is Monday, May 26 this year, but sales often begin a week earlier and can last into June.
Skip: Home electronics
We suggest making electronics purchases in November, when prices on laptops, tablets, gaming consoles and other electronics are usually at their lowest, thanks to Black Friday sales. If you can’t wait until then, you can bank on Amazon holding its annual Prime Day sale sometime this summer. Amazon and competing retailers will put just about everything on sale.
Buy: Small appliances
While you’re outfitting your home with a new sofa, chair or table at Memorial Day sales, check out coffee makers, blenders and other small kitchen appliances.
In the past, department stores such as Macy’s and JCPenney, as well as home and kitchen specialty stores like Williams Sonoma, have offered savings on kitchen essentials.
Count window air conditioners as small appliances on discount too, according to Consumer Reports. May isn’t warm enough in some places for them to fly off the shelf, and you could get a deal for beating the heat. Check Amazon, Costco and Home Depot for good prices in May.
Skip: Swimwear and lingerie
The sale fliers will flood your mailbox in May, but the month after is the better time to buy. That's because Victoria’s Secret sets the schedule for swimwear and lingerie deals, and the store’s Semi-Annual Sale traditionally starts in June. Other retailers follow suit.
In past installments, Victoria’s Secret has dished out discounts of up to 60% off almost 2,000 styles. If this year follows the same pattern, hold out a little while longer for similar savings. Follow the retailer on social media and sign up for the store’s mailing list for sale announcements.
Buy: Spring apparel
Clothing sales are a given each May. Now that warm-weather styles have been in stores for a few months, you can expect retailers to bring down prices.
Our best advice for finding these deals? First, check retailers’ sale sections or clearance racks both in store and online. Then, register for your favorite clothing store’s email list, which could mean exclusive deals. Finally, fill your cart with sale-priced shirts and shorts while you’re shopping on Memorial Day.
Bonus buy: Paints
The combination of prime weather, seasonal sales and the start of the DIY season makes May a good time to buy paint. You’ll want to shop the sales at popular paint and general hardware destinations the week leading up to Memorial Day for the best deals, according to Consumer Reports.
If you’re hiring out your painting job, ask your contractor for a break because you heard paint can be cheaper this time of year.
Also in May: Free food and Star Wars Day
The best things to buy every month include food and, in May, pop culture goods. There’s National Buttermilk Biscuit Day on May 14 and National Hamburger Day on May 28.
And it’s “Star Wars” Day on May 4. We’ve previously spotted price cuts on toys, apparel and even jewelry inspired by the iconic movies. If prior years are any indication, expect savings on products from makers like Hasbro and Huffy. Lego is launching deals on Star Wars sets on May 1.
May the discounts be with you this May.