What to buy in May centers almost completely around our absolute longing for summer this time of year. Everyone is ready to shed winter coats and hats for good and embrace the sun.
That’s why you’ll see deals on everything from grilling foods to sunscreen. It’s also a fairly celebratory month with deals on booze and stuff you may need to host a graduation party. Or throw a Memorial Day BBQ. So here’s our list of what to stock up in May.
At The Krazy Coupon Lady, we’ve been tracking sales since 2009, and these are the items and product categories that often see deep price cuts and greater coupon availability this month.
For more smart shopping tips and savings hacks, text HACKS to 57299 and be sure to download The Krazy Coupon Lady app.
What to buy at the grocery store:
- Taco night food fixings (think tortilla chips, cheese, etc.)
- Tequila
- Paper products (shop brands like Dixie)
- Charcoal, hot dogs, and grilling foods
- Allergy medication (shop brands like Benedryl, Flonase, and more)
- Wine
- Sunscreen
What to buy at the big-box stores:
- Dog and cat supplies (think Iams, Friskies, Pedigree, Dr. Elsey’s)
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Home decor like wall art, clocks, etc.
What major sales to shop:
1. Shop Amazon Pet Day on May 2 – 3 for more than half-off food, toys, and treats.
Amazon Pet Day kicks off Tuesday, May 2, and ends on May 3. Amazon Pet Day is a 24-hour sale with deals for dog and cat supplies.
Amazon Pet Day leads perfectly into National Pet Week, which runs May 7 – 13 in 2023. Last year, we saw deals on pet food, pet toys, and health supplies. Here are some deals that are happening now (you can save 60% today!):
2. Stock up in May on tequila, tortilla chips, and taco fixings
Thanks to Cinco de Mayo, early May shows up with deals on anything you might need to make Mexican food, along with the occasional deal on tequila drinks.
In 2022 Ibotta offered a rebate for $3 off Jose Cuervo brand tequila. You could redeem it on Jose Cuervo hard seltzers or on a bottle of tequila. Just scan or upload your receipt to the app and you’ll get paid via PayPal.
Look also for sales on salsa, tortillas, taco kits, shredded cheese, tortilla chips, canned beans, and frozen Mexican entrees. Find specials in stores’ weekly flyers — some may even include tasting events in stores. Also keep an eye on Costco because they marked down a lot of these foods in 2022 during Cinco de Mayo.
Be sure to freeze excess tortillas, chips, and shredded cheese for future use.
Related: Cinco De Mayo Deals
3. Shop Dove and Dove Men+Care Body Wash to stock up from $5
Use your smartphone to save on Dove and Dove Men+Care body wash products in May from nationwide retailers, including Walmart, Target, and CVS.
You’ll find Ibotta offers for Dove and Dove Men+Care body wash, bars, and premium cleansers. Just purchase a product, upload your receipt to the Ibotta app, and receive $1 – $6 cash back. If you’re new to the app, here’s how Ibotta coupons work.
4. Paper plates, towels, napkins, cups, and plastic silverware
Between graduation parties and everyone itching to get outside and get grilling, paper products will be on sale all month long. Look for deals on plates, paper towels, napkins, utensils, and cups.
Pay close attention to a coupon’s fine print. Some coupons (like those for Bounty paper towels) don’t have size restrictions. This means if you find a single roll on sale at say, Dollar General or the like, you can use the coupon to get it for dirt cheap.
5. Shampoo and conditioner
Mark your calendar for the Ulta Gorgeous Hair Event at the start of May. We predict that it happen on May 14, 2023! You’ll see daily deals for all sorts of hair brands, the most common discount is 50% off, which is rad, so stock up.
Last year I saw 50% off shampoo brands like Biosilk, Matrix, Curlsmith, Klorane, Wella, Not Your Mother’s, and BlondeMe. Hair tools like Croc Flat Iron were also 50% off, along with hair supplements like BosleyMD Hair Growth.
6. Hamburger, charcoal, and other grilling items
National Hamburger Day is May 28, so plan to stock up on grilling must-haves like charcoal and lighter fluid. When the price is low at stores like Target and Walmart, buy enough to get you through the summer.
Also watch for deals on BBQ foods like sauce, condiments, potato chips, hot dogs, and more.
Be sure to stack coupons on top of sale prices for the very lowest price possible.
7. Stock up in May on allergy medication — in fact, there’s a $5 Mucinex coupon right now!
Unfortunately, saying hello to May means saying hello to allergy season. But at least you won’t be paying full price on allergy meds! In fact, right now, print this $5 off Mucinex coupon.
Both Amazon and CVS run great deals on allergy meds this time of year. Deals at drugstores will probably require store coupons (like CVS Load-to-Card coupons). Download the store’s app to access coupons.
8. Look for 75% off select home decor clearance at Hobby Lobby.
For the past two years, Hobby Lobby has had some major clearance markdowns in the Home Decor section in mid-May, so I’m expecting the same deals to pop up again this year. Around May 13, check your stores for up to 75% off select home decor items like wall art, clocks, lamps, and more.
These items are typically only marked down to 50% off once every other week. So if you want deeper savings, wait to buy until this clearance sale in mid-May!
Related: Here’s how to know when every item at Hobby Lobby goes on sale.
9. Wine
National Wine Day is May 25, so “wine not” stock up in May? Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
In 2022 Barefoot brand wine offered a rebate for $9.99 back when you shopped at Target, Walmart, Walgreens, or anywhere else that sells the brand. This resulted in a free bottle of wine!
Another option is to shop at Albertsons on National Wine Day. In 2022 I saw these wines for up to 30%:
- Decoy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, $18.49 (reg. $29.99)
- Erath Wine Pinot Noir, $12.99 (reg. $21.99)
- Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine Chardonnay, $8.99 (reg. $15.99)
- 14 Hands Hot to Trot Wine Red Blend, $9.49 (reg. $15.99)
- Butter Wine Chardonnay, $12.99 (reg. $18.99)
Learn more secrets to getting awesome wine deals.
10. Sunscreen
With summer right around the corner, all sorts of sunscreen will be on sale, so kiss your brand loyalty goodbye and follow the deals. Right now, there’s BOGO 40% off at Amazon on Sun Bum sunscreen!
When looking for the lowest sunscreen prices, always compare unit pricing. Often the smaller bottles will give you the most bang for your buck if you have a coupon to stack with a sale. Be sure to store sunscreen in a cool, dry place so the active ingredients will stay effective for three years.
Stock Up in May Honorable Mentions:
Memorial Day Sales
If you missed Spring Black Friday last month, keep your eyes peeled for Lowe’s and Home Depot’s Memorial Day sales. These last for two weeks and offer deals on landscaping and gardening gear. Also check out other stores’ Memorial Day sales with an eye toward furniture and appliance deals.
Teacher Appreciation Day and Week
May is the month to spoil teachers because Teacher Appreciation Day is May 2, 2023 and Teacher Appreciation Week is May 8 – 12, 2023. If you’re a teacher, spoil yourself with these Teacher Appreciation deals. For example, get a free meal at TGI Friday’s on May 2!
National Nurse’s Week: Starts May 6
We honor nurses during May, too! Hug your favorite nurse, and if you’re the nurse, treat yourself to National Nurse’s Day freebies and deals.
World Cocktail Day: May 13
May is shaping up to be a boozy month with tequila deals, wine deals, and National Cocktail Day in play. Everyone’s celebrating the start of summer.
Wait until June for …
Candles. The Yankee Candle Semi-Annual Sale will show up in mid June and lasts for about three weeks. You’ll see up to 75% off candles and wax melts.
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