What to Buy in May
Are you trying to stretch your family’s grocery budget? Then May is a great month to shop smart and save big. From seasonal food deals to summer essentials, there are lots of great sales to take advantage of!
You see, I’m a naturally frugal grocery shopper. I shop for our family of six on a $525 monthly grocery budget, and one of my biggest tips is this: shop the sales.
Every week I look for the best grocery deals, which I share on Thursdays over on my YouTube channel. But I also watch for monthly sales—the seasonal price drops that happen every May. Regular grocery sales tend to follow a 12-week cycle, but certain items go on sale each year during specific months.
Let’s talk about what to buy in May!
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Cinco de Mayo Grocery Sales
Cinco de Mayo is a great excuse to stock up on all your favorite Mexican food staples. These sales usually start in late April and run through the first full week of May.
Look for sales on:
- Taco seasoning
- Hard taco shells
- Tortillas (which freeze well!)
- Tortilla chips
- Salsa
If taco night is a regular meal in your home like it is in ours, this is the time to stock up.
Mother’s Day Deals
Mother’s Day is in May, and while many of us Moms are the ones doing the grocery shopping, we can still find good deals on treats and gifts.
Watch for sales on:
- Chocolates (especially after Mother’s Day!)
- Flowers
- Small gifts and pampering items
Shopping after the holiday is a great way to snag markdowns on indulgent items for less.
Memorial Day Sales
Memorial Day sales start about a week before the holiday and run through that week. This is one of the biggest grocery sale events of spring!
Look for discounts on:
- Hot dogs and brats
- Grilling meats
- Paper plates, plastic cups, and picnic supplies
- Anything red, white, or blue (stock up to use all summer)
National Barbecue Month
May is National Barbecue Month, which overlaps with Memorial Day sales, making it a perfect time to stock up on all your summer cookout essentials.
Stock up on:
- Barbecue sauce
- Ketchup, mustard, and other condiments
- Marinades and salad dressings
- Pickles and dips
- Potato chips and s’mores supplies
- Ground beef
- Grilling meats
A Special Note on Ground Beef Sales
If you take nothing else from this list, remember this: Memorial Day and Labor Day are the two best times of year to buy ground beef.
In past years, I’ve seen prices as low as $1.49 to $1.99 per pound. These days, $2.99 per pound is a great deal. When you see ground beef under $3/lb, buy as much as your freezer can handle to avoid paying full price in the months to come.
Seasonal Produce in May
May is when we start seeing a big shift into summer produce. You’ll find more fresh fruits and veggies at great prices—and many of these freeze well too!
Fruits on Sale in May:
- Apples
- Apricots
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Cherries
- Kiwi
- Mangoes
- Peaches
- Plums
- Pineapple
- Raspberries
- Rhubarb
- Strawberries
Vegetables on Sale in May:
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Carrots
- Celery
- Sweet corn
- Cucumbers
- Green beans
- Onions
- Potatoes
- Peas
- Radishes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
- Turnips
- Zucchini
Non-Food Sales in May
In addition to groceries, you’ll find a number of great seasonal sales on household and summer essentials.
Watch for deals on:
- Grills (Memorial Day is a great time to buy one!)
- Outdoor furniture and patio items
- Mattresses (yes, really!)
- Cookware and kitchen tools (for weddings and graduations)
- Swimsuits and swim towels (buy early before sizes sell out)
- Sunscreen and bug spray (buy enough for the whole summer)
Fun May Sales Events
Here are a few fun “National Days” that sometimes trigger sales:
- May 4: Star Wars Day – “May the 4th be with you”
- May 15: National Chocolate Chip Day – You might find baking sales!
- May 28: National Hamburger Day – Watch for restaurant deals and grocery sales on burger ingredients.
Did I miss anything you love to buy in May? Let me know in the comments!
Want a handy list to reference all month long? I’ve created a free printable with everything in this post!
