April showers may bring may flowers but May also brings along some pretty good deals in the stores. Here are five categories where you’re likely to find a bargain if you go shopping this month:

1. Athletic equipment/sports clothing
May happens to be National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. Plus, during May there are tons of road races and other athletic events going on. So it’s no surprise that during May, you can often get great deals on athletic equipment and workout gear, including clothing. Champion clothing, for example, has marked down all kinds of its workout clothing, including yoga pants that are more than 50% off. It’s a great time to stock up.

2. Spring clothing for kids and adults
Believe it or not, camp is right around the corner–feels like I just got finished registering my own kids for summer camp. But soon enough I’ll need to stock up on camp gear. Starting tomorrow (May 12), Down 2 Earth Kids in Lafayette Hill is offering 20% off all camp essentials. From camp logo sweatshirts to laundry bags to blankets, sheets, stationary, tanks, and shorts, you can get it all marked down to a lower price. I like that.

Even if your kids are too little to go to camp, you can still find them stylish yet budget-friendly clothing, such as the new Kidgets private label line from Family Dollar stores. I checked out some of these adorable outfits and they look and feel just like the stuff you would buy at Gap or Gymboree, but for a lot less.

Finally, women’s spring clothing is also starting to get marked down to make way for summer duds. Last week I went into Dressbarn to take advantage of their “buy two dresses, get $10 off” promotion. (I wore my new dress and cardigan on today’s “10! Show” segment. It’s on May steals and deals, and I’ll post the video later.) I saw many dresses that could easily work as a frugal bridesmaid option, for brides with a wedding party on a budget!

3. Vacuum cleaners
Miele vacuums never go on sale but for the month of May they are extending their Earth Day promotion. Bring in your old vacuum cleaner and depending on its condition, you’ll get anywhere from $50 to $100 off a new Miele vacuum cleaner and the store will recycle your old vacuum for free or refurbish it and donate it to charity. These are the vacuum cleaners sold at the mom-and-pop vacuum stores–that’s where I go to stock up on vacuum cleaner bags. Vacuum cleaner prices start at $289. You’re likely to find vacuum cleaners from other brands on sale at big-box stores nationwide.

4. Grilling and BBQ supplies
With Memorial Day around the corner you would think stores would be marking stuff up for backyard barbecues. But now is actually the best time of the year to stock up on everything you need for BBQ–from grilling tools and supplies to condiments and fun summer toys. Stores like TJ Maxx and Marshall’s have these supplies at half of what you would pay at a regular department store. As far as grills themselves go, we just got a great deal on grill at Sears by buying the floor model–it was about $90. Remember that tip: when in doubt, buy the floor model. It may be a bit dinged, but it’s going to be way cheaper than the grill (or other appliance) that’s still in the box.

5. House paint and other weekend projects
Also for Memorial Day, people tend to use that weekend to do around-the-house projects. So stores like Lowe’s run promotions. In fact, at Lowe’s you’ll find low prices on everything you need for painting your house–from blue tape to red paint trays (I picked up a few over the weekend)–and you can get $5 back when you buy Valspar Signature Colors Paint or Olympic Premium Paint. (Check the dates at your local Lowe’s store for when this rebate is running.) We love Lowe’s. It’s where we bought our Kraftmaid cabinets when we redid our kitchen!

Now if I could just find a deal on a new front door, that would make my May complete!

Please note: Companies occasionally send product for me to consider when writing posts like this or making TV appearances. Whenever possible I ship product back after I’m done with it.