May is such a happy month. The weather is getting warmer, school is almost over, and we’re starting to think about all the fun things we want to do over the summer. Naturally, this is the time of year that we start to loosen our purse strings and start spending more money. In this post, I’m going to help you resist that urge and instead set yourself up for a successful summer ahead with these 5 easy ways to save money in May.
5 EASY WAYS TO SAVE MONEY IN MAY
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For the past few months, I’ve been setting aside some time right before the month begins to set my intention for the month ahead and plan out ways that I will save money specific to that month.
It’s really helped me refocus and continue to make progress month after month.
If you’re interested in looking back at those, you can see March ideas here and April ideas here.
In this post I’m going to give you 5 easy ways to save money in May.
Here they are:
COOK OUT
The weather is getting warmer but for most of us it’s not too hot yet. That makes it the perfect time to start grilling outside.
Especially because outdoor cooking supplies and foods are going to be on sale this month!
Look for things like hot dogs, hamburgers, condiments and rolls to be on sale. You’ll also find deals on grilling essentials like charcoal or propane.
Compare sales at your local stores and when you find a good one, stock up!
You can fill your freezer with grill meats and rolls to use throughout the summer.
HAVE A FIESTA
While you’re stocking up, check for deals on delicious mexican food around Cinco de Mayo.
This is a great time to stock up on staples like tortillas, hard and soft taco shells, salsa, shredded cheese, and guacamole.
If you’re having people over this month, take advantage of those discounts and throw an affordable mini fiesta.
Again, simply freeze whatever you won’t be using right away and then pull from your freezer all summer long.
HAVE A FRUGALLY HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
Of course, Mother’s Day is a special day May.
This year I encourage you to celebrate all the mamas in your life on a budget.
It is 100% possible to have a lovely Mother’s Day without spending a fortune.
I have a detailed post just on this topic with some pointers for you – 5 Frugal Mother’s Day Ideas
So, check that out to craft an in-depth plan to enjoy Mother’s Day frugally this year.
CARE FOR YOUR OUTSIDE AREA
Most of us will be spending quite a lot of time outdoors in the coming months. And playing or relaxing in your backyard or outdoor area is great – because it’s free!
May is the perfect time to start sprucing up your outdoor space.
Lawn care essentials will be at a seasonal low this month. So, it’s a great time to buy things like grass seed, fertilizer, mulch, and soil.
Grab what you will need for the season while it’s on sale.
SET A PLAN FOR SUMMER SAVING
Summer is coming. This can be a very expensive season if you’re not careful about your spending.
Set some time aside in May to set an intentional plan for the season ahead.
Ask yourself:
What are your goals for the summer?
Do you have trips planned?
What are your big expenses going to be?
How are you going to pay for these things?
Then, make a plan to save the money.
Just by thinking ahead and planning out your summer you can avoid racking up debt and have an enjoyable summer in an affordable way.
BONUS: EARN MONEY IN YOUR DOWNTIME
Whatever your plans for the coming months, you’ll likely have a little more free time.
Use that downtime wisely and earn a little extra money online.
One super easy way to do this is with Swagbucks.
Swagbucks makes it super easy to earn extra money (in the form of gift cards like Visa, Target, or Amazon) by doing little things like taking surveys, watching videos (basically commercials) or even playing games.
You are not going to earn a ton of money doing this, just a little extra. But if you’re bored and want something beneficial to do with your time, it’s a good idea.
SAVE MONEY IN MAY
Now it’s time to put these tips into action and save money this May!
Stock up on affordable seasonal foods for barbecues or Cinco de Mayo. Enjoy Mother’s Day on a budget this year. Spruce up your outdoor space by taking advantage of lawn care sales. Plan out an intentional summer with a savings plan to pay for it. And if you’ve got extra time on your hands, put it to use making a little extra spending money.
Have a wonderful money saving month!
Psst… Want to save even more? Hop on my email list here. It’s my favorite place to give you money saving tips and insights that I just don’t share anywhere else. Plus you’ll get lots of free financial tools just for signing up.
Don’t click away so soon. Keep reading about more ways to save:
Frugal ways to Save Money this Spring
Beginner’s Guide to being Frugal
3 Tips to cut your Electric Bill in Half
I am a mother with two children, 2 granddaughters and 2 great grandchildren. I told my family that I don’t want anything for Mothers day. I’m sure there are many more moms and dads that would rather you helped them do something that they may not be able to do for themselves or even just spend a little time with them. I have enough “stuff”. My son is going to get my lawn mower ready for the summer and my daughter is going to help me clean the sun room. I love it.
That’s so smart Bonnie!