May is the unofficial kickoff to summer — and one of the best months of the year to save. Between Memorial Day sales, seasonal clearance, and appreciation-week freebies (for teachers, nurses, and military), there are plenty of opportunities to stock up without overspending.
We expect major Memorial Day sales from Home Depot and Lowe’s around May 14, followed by Target and Walmart May 17 - 18.
This month, focus on categories where you can realistically save 50% - 70% or more, especially if you shop during key sale windows. Keep reading for what to buy, what to wait on, and how to maximize every deal.
What to Buy in May 2026
Garden and Outdoor Supplies (Memorial Day Sales)
Memorial Day sales at Home Depot and Lowe’s typically last two weeks and bring some of the best outdoor pricing we’ll see until late summer. Shop early in the sale for the best selection, especially for patio sets and grills. The deepest discounts may stick around, but the popular styles won’t.
You’ll also find solid outdoor deals at Walmart and Target on items like coolers, inflatables, and outdoor toys.
Here's what to look for in these sales:
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Grills: Up to 50% off (entry models often drop under $100)
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Patio Furniture: 40% - 60% off
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Hanging Flower Baskets: $7 - $10 each
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Soil, Mulch, and Planters: Up to 50% off
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Concrete Pavers: As low as $0.25 each
Appliances
Memorial Day has some of the best appliance deals we see each year. Retailers like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Best Buy compete hard, which works in your favor. Even if prices look similar across retailers, perks like free installation or extended warranties can make one deal significantly better.
Make the savings sweeter by looking for the following:
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30% - 50% off refrigerators, washers, and dryers
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Extra discounts when you bundle multiple appliances
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Free delivery, installation, or haul-away offers
Mattresses
Memorial Day weekend is full of mattress deals. Holiday sales often include stackable promos like free gifts plus markdowns, so don’t settle for just one perk.
Look for the following:
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Up to 50% off mattresses from brands like Casper, Purple, Sealy, and more
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Free bundles (pillows, sheets, and bases)
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Discounts on older or discontinued models
Gifts for Teachers and Nurses
Early May is packed with appreciation events. Teacher Appreciation Week runs May 4 - 8, while National Nurses Week is May 6 - 12. Alongside freebies and discounts for teachers and nurses, we also see deals on gifts to show your appreciation.
Smart Gift Ideas:
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Meaningful Thanks — cards with handwritten notes from the student are a (free!) favorite
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Gift Cards — look for discounted cards like 5% off at Target with your Circle Card
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Classroom Supplies — high-quality school supplies for the appropriate grade level
Mother’s Day Deals and Clearance
You'll find Mother's Day deals on jewelry, beauty, fragrance, and handbags in the days leading up to (and after) the holiday, which is Sunday, May 10, 2026.
Save by shopping bundles or getting a free gift with purchase. We've also seen Ulta offer point multipliers on select beauty and fragrance.
Bonus: Sephora's Oh Hair Yeah event technically started in April, but you can shop hair care deals through May 4.
Look for these things:
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Designer handbags 40% - 60% off
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Jewelry, fragrance, and beauty bundle deals
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Clearance deals after the holiday — up to 70% off gifts by late May
KCL TIP: You’ll also find Mother’s Day food and restaurant deals on Mother’s Day weekend.
Pet Supplies (Amazon Pet Day)
Amazon Pet Day is May 11 - 15, 2026, and it’s one of the best times to stock up on pet essentials. Over two days, you can save 60% or more on items like dog harnesses, activity trackers, and pet beds.
Subscribe & Save offers can stack with the sale prices, giving you 5% - 15% off the full price of items you already buy regularly.
May Calendar Reminders
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Military Appreciation Month (May 1 - 31): Stores lean in all month with military-exclusive discounts (often 10% - 30% off), plus bonus freebies around Memorial Day — making it a great time for service members and families to stack savings.
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Cinco de Mayo (May 5): Cinco de Mayo food deals typically include BOGO discounts, discounted combos, and drink specials, perfect for an easy, low-cost meal out. Look for deals at Chipotle, Qdoba, Moe's, and more.
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National Hamburger Day (May 28): Expect one-day National Hamburger Day deals (think BOGO or deeply discounted sandwiches) from major chains like Burger King, Wendy's, Smashburger, and more.
Wait Until June For ...
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Bras and Undies: While you may find some steals on underwear in Macy’s clearance sales this month, we expect the Victoria’s Secret Semi-Annual Sale to begin on June 3, 2026, where you'll find 50% - 80% off bras, undies, sleepwear, and beauty items.
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Tools: Father’s Day falls on Sunday, June 21, 2026, and you’ll find Father’s Day deals on tools at Home Depot and Lowe’s in early to mid-June.
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Candles and Soap: We predict the Yankee Candle Semi-Annual Sale will begin on June 4 this year. The sale typically lasts for several weeks, so you can take advantage of the deals well into summer. Plus, the Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Sale is also predicted for June, on the fifteenth, so you can score even more candle deals and discounts on soap, body care, and more.
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