What to Buy in July and What to Avoid Buying Mid-Summer

July is a special month for shopping. As summer reaches its peak, retailers begin to clear out inventory in preparation for the fall season. This makes July a great time to grab some great deals, but not everything is the cheapest. Here’s a rundown of what to buy and what to avoid in July.

1. Outdoor equipment and apparel

July is a great month to buy outdoor gear.

From tents and backpacks to hiking shoes and swimwear, retailers are offering deep discounts to encourage summer activities.

Look for sales around the 4th of July, as this is a great time to find discounts on outdoor gear.

Brands to consider: Patagonia, The North Face, and Columbia sell quality outdoor gear, and look for sales at retailers like REI and Backcountry.

Specific products: Columbia Watertight II Jackets, North Face hiking boots, and Patagonia Black Hole Travel Bags are often discounted in July.

2. Home improvement supplies

Summer is home improvement season, and many stores are running sales on tools, paint, and other DIY essentials.

Plus, with many people working on home renovations, July is likely to be the month when the best discounts are offered to attract more customers.

Brands to consider: Home Depot and Lowe’s carry a variety of brands, including DeWalt, Behr Paints and Black + Decker.

Specific products: DeWalt power tool sets, Behr Premium Plus interior paints and Weber grills frequently see big price cuts.

See also: Saving money at Home Depot: 7 innovative ways

3. Furniture

New furniture models usually hit store shelves in August, making July the best time to buy when stores are clearing out old stock.

This is especially true for outdoor furniture, which is expected to see discounts of up to 50-60% as retailers make space for fall inventory.

Brands to consider: Indoor and outdoor furniture can be purchased from IKEA, Wayfair and Pottery Barn.

Specific products: ÄPPLARÖ outdoor chairs from IKEA and section sofas on sale at Wayfair.

Read: IKEA Hacks to Save Money and Feel Really Smart

4. High-tech gadgets

July is a good time to purchase laptops, tablets, and other tech accessories, as back-to-school sales begin towards the end of the month.

These sales often extend to general electronics, as retailers aim to attract a broad customer base of both students and non-student alike.

Brands to consider: Apple, Samsung, HP, especially during Amazon Prime Day and Best Buy sales.

Specific products: MacBook Airs, Samsung tablets, and HP Envy laptops are common picks in midsummer tech sales.

5. Seasonal ingredients

July brings with it an abundance of fresh produce, so be sure to take advantage.

There are many produce items in season, including berries, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, and they are often on sale.

Buying in season is not only cost-effective but also ensures the best flavor.

Where to buy: Farmers markets, local grocery chains like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s.

Specific products: Organic blueberries, heirloom tomatoes, fresh peppers. Look for bulk buys and promotional discounts at your local stores.

next, Things you shouldn’t buy In midsummer…

1. Autumn clothes

It may be tempting to buy fall clothing as it starts to appear in stores, but these items are usually the most expensive to buy.

It’s best to wait until the end of the season for discounts.

Featured Brands: Zara, H&M and Gap often launch their fall lines in July at premium prices.

Specific products: Avoid newly released jackets and fall dresses until later sales.

2. Major home appliances

Major appliances are cheapest during holiday sales in September (Labor Day) and November (Black Friday).

It is therefore wise to refrain from purchasing items such as refrigerators, ovens and washing machines during July unless there is an urgent need.

Featured Brands: Whirlpool, GE and Samsung appliances are best purchased during their big sales.

Specific products: Stainless steel refrigerator, front-loading washer and high-efficiency dryer.

See also: How to Negotiate Prices on Electronics

3. School supplies

Back to school sales start in July, but the biggest discounts on school supplies tend to happen in August or even early September.

If you wait a little longer, you can save big on notebooks, pens, and other school essentials.

Featured Brands: Crayola, Five Star, and Ticonderoga are classics, but don’t buy them.

Specific products: Backpacks, scientific calculators, binders, etc. are often cheaper in August.

See also: Clever ways to save money on back-to-school shopping

4. Latest model cars

The auto industry typically releases new models in the late summer or early fall, so buying a new car in July may not be as cost-effective.

If you wait until the new model is released, you may be able to get a better deal on a current model vehicle as dealers make space for new inventory.

Featured Brands: Toyota, Ford and Honda typically release their new models in late summer.

Specific products: Popular models like the Honda Civic and Ford F-150 typically have year-end discounts after new models are released.

5. Holiday decorations

Midsummer is not an ideal time to buy holiday decorations.

The best sales on holiday items like Christmas and Halloween are usually found right after the holiday is over or during specific sales periods closer to the season.

When to buy: Post-holiday sales and Black Friday sales are the best times to shop.

Specific products: Avoid purchasing LED string lights and inflatable yard decorations during July.

Read also: Clever ways to maximise post-Christmas sales

This means that by focusing on in-season items or products that are nearing the end of their sales cycle, you can save big while avoiding full-priced items that are likely to be discounted in the coming months.

Question for readers: Do you have any products you’d like to add to my list? What were your best or worst purchases in July? Let me know!

Kyle James