What to Buy (and Skip) in July 2025
Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
Summertime is for shopping. July is here and with it comes seasonal deals and Amazon Prime Day, a 96-hour sale this year.
To make the most of July’s discounts, here’s a category-by-category guide on what to buy (and a few things to skip).
Buy: Patriotic items
Each year around July 4, stores pledge allegiance to the red, white and blue with sales on just about everything that has stars and stripes on it. Expect clothing discounts at department stores and decoration discounts at party supply shops.
Some stores extend their sales to other products. We've found Fourth of July deals on food, appliances, mattresses and more in the past. You can even try to deck out your porch goose with an Uncle Sam outfit on the cheap (this is a thing, really).
Wait until close to the holiday to buy your items at the best price.
Skip: Indoor furniture
Online shopping makes it easier to find markdowns at any time of the year, but as tradition has it, July is not a great time to splurge on indoor furniture. New pieces tend to arrive in stores in the spring and fall, so it’s best to put off your search for a new sofa or dining set until August or September, before stores take delivery of new arrivals.
Buy: Summer apparel
By July, tank tops, shorts and flip-flops have been on display for several weeks — and in some cases, several months — so it’s finally time to stock up.
Don’t settle for anything less than a sale price on summer apparel at this point in the season. Look for storewide discount events and coupons specifically for clothing departments. Apparel stores J.Crew and Old Navy, for example, already have seasonal deals going.
July 12 marks the official beginning of Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale for all shoppers.
Skip: Lawn mowers
July isn’t an ideal time to purchase large outdoor items, such as lawn mowers. You aren’t the only one thinking about yardwork, and higher demand traditionally means higher prices.
By the time August and September roll around, outdoor items will see steeper discounts, so hold off for another month or two if you can.
Buy: Major appliances
Dishwashers, dehumidifiers, washers and refrigerators are all fair game for deals in July, according to Consumer Reports. These types of appliances tend to go on sale at big-box stores right around Independence Day. Appliance maker GE, for example, is already offering up to 45% off select appliances for its Fourth of July sale. You can also try your local appliance dealer for discounts.
Shop: Amazon Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day is official, set for July 8-11. Expect deals on electronics, especially Amazon’s own Alexa-enabled devices, small appliances, vacuums, or anything, really. It’s the wild card sale of the summer.
The sale is for Prime members, but you can start with a trial or opt for the cheaper Prime for Young Adults and students if you’re 18-24.
Amazon ain’t the only game in town, though.
Just announced: the Target Circle sale starts July 6. Best Buy and Walmart are likely to get in the deal mix too. So, click around on other store sites to make sure you’re getting the best price.
Bonus buy: Ice cream
July 20 is National Ice Cream Day this year. Use it as an excuse to enjoy a scoop or two. If you work it right, you can get your cone on the house.
In past years, some ice cream shops offered free or discounted treats. Look for promotional announcements and coupons on social media.
ON THIS PAGE
ON THIS PAGE