What to Buy (and Skip) in July 2024
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July is typically a solid time for summer savings, especially with Amazon's Prime Day sale slated for this month.
To make the most of July’s discounts, here’s a category-by-category guide for 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. Wait until close to the holiday to buy your items at the best price.
Some stores extend their sales to other products. We've found Fourth of July deals on food, appliances, mattresses and more in the past. Keep your eyes peeled for star-spangled savings this year.
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.
By this point in the season, don’t settle for anything less than a sale price on summer apparel. Look for storewide discount events and coupons specifically for clothing departments. Designer brand Coach, for instance, has already launched a summer sale with discounts up to 40% off, and apparel and accessory shops like Forever 21 and Old Navy also have seasonal sales.
July 15 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.
Buy: Major Appliances
Dishwashers, clothes dryers, dehumidifiers and refrigerators are all fair game for fair 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 offering up to 40% off hundreds of major appliances. You can also find sales at your local appliance dealer.
Shop: Amazon Prime Day
Amazon’s biggest sale of the year happens in July. With prices still on the high side, browsing the sale could be a good way to get a deal on the things you need or have wanted for a while. 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, and students and young adults ages 18-24 can get a cheaper Prime Student membership.
Not to be outdone, other major retailers like Target, Walmart and Best Buy are likely to offer similar discounts to compete for your business. So, click around on other store sites too to make sure you’re getting the best price.
Bonus: Ice cream
July 21 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.
