What to Buy (and Skip) in July 2026

July is known for deals on select summer clothing, major appliances and even back-to-school stuff (sorry, kids).

Written by

Co-written by

Edited by

other

Updated Jun 26, 2026

Amazon Prime Day happened in June this year, but July ain’t no slouch for sales. Holiday deals make it a good time to buy a major appliance, or a tank top.

Here’s what to look for and what to leave.

Buy: Patriotic merch

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. America’s 250th will bring more deals.

Expect discounts on clothing at department stores and decorations at party supply shops and big box stores. Wait until close to the holiday to buy your items at the best price.

We've also found Fourth of July deals on food, appliances, mattresses and more in the past. Here’s a tasty example just for the country’s 250th: Get a Whopper Jr. from Burger King for just $2.50 on July 4.

Skip: Indoor furniture

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 swim suits 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. If you’re getting 50% off, you’re getting a great deal.

July 18 marks the official beginning of Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale for all shoppers.

Caveat: Don’t be disappointed if you don’t get a break on those Oakley sunglasses or Reef sandals you’re after. These summer essentials are in peak demand and can still command full price.

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 fewer discounts.

By the time August and September roll around, outdoor items still in stock will be marked down, so hold off for another month or two if you can.

Buy: Major appliances

Dishwashers, dehumidifiers, washers and even 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 offering up to 43% off select appliances for its Fourth of July sale. You can also try local appliance dealers for discounts.

Skip: Televisions

If you didn’t go for a new flat screen during Amazon Prime Day (June 23-26) and competing June sales, you should probably wait. Black Friday is undoubtedly the next best time to get a big deal on a big TV.

Buy: Back-to-school supplies and tech

Look to late-July for basic back-to-school supplies, says Andrea Woroch, a money-saving expert who shares budgeting tips on her website. It’s when stores drop particular items low just to get you in the store.

“They'll offer 10-cent notebooks or a 50-cent pack of crayons,” for example, she says.

If you have your kids’ school supply list by then, go for it. If not, more back-to-school deals will ramp up in August, Woroch says.

If your state has a back-to-school state sales tax holiday, use that window to buy the more expensive stuff — like a laptop — sales-tax-free. You can put it in your cart now and mark your calendar. Each state varies, some offer tax-free periods in July, some in August and some in September.

Those tax-free discounts can make a difference, especially with recent rising tech prices.

Bonus: Ice cream

Where to Get Free (or Cheap) Ice Cream on National Ice Cream Day

July 19 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.

» MORE: Best things to buy every month

Explore more on

The Financial Glow Up Money News You Can Use Making Money Paying Your Bills Personal Finance

About the authors

Tommy Tindall

Tommy Tindall is a lead writer and content strategist covering how to make money — and how to keep it. He’s recorded and written about his experience testing popular gig jobs like driving for Uber, delivering with DoorDash and full-service shopping for Instacart. He loves making an extra buck, but laments the hours of awkward silence he endured as an Uber driver (never again).

Cool kids might call him a content creator because he makes YouTube videos for the NerdWallet channel and app, but he himself is no longer very cool. Ask him about budgeting apps — he's tried most of them, but still prefers a good ole Google sheet to track spending. Then be sure to smash that “like” and “subscribe” button.

Before NerdWallet, Tommy held decidedly more boring jobs at Fannie Mae and Booz Allen Hamilton. Today, he feels super privileged to write for you, the consumer.

Published in

Lisa Mulka

Lisa Mulka is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance content. With more than 15 years of writing experience, Lisa most recently authored a book on personal financial literacy and served as lead writer on the FDIC’s Money Smart for Young People program. She holds a bachelor’s in creative writing, and master’s degrees in written communication and in educational technology. Lisa lives with her husband and two children in Michigan, where she spends her free time teaching the next generation of writers at Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth.