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Frugal Friday: Shopping Fever? What to Buy in July
We’re back this week with our monthly round-up of where the deals are, looking ahead to July. And in the depths of summer, an air-conditioned store is a good place to cool off, assuming you’re shopping for something you need with a budget — not a credit card you can’t pay off — in hand. Here’s where you’ll find savings:
- Indoor furniture. Note the emphasis on indoor — for patio and outdoor pieces, you’ll likely see better prices in August and September, says Sharon Banfield, head of communications for PriceGrabber, which has a department that analyzes data to cull this information. But if you’re looking to outfit a living room, scoop up what you need in July, when stores lower their prices to make room for new models that come out in August.
- Winter clothing. Contrary to what I always believed — that winter clothing should be snapped up in February when the season is winding down — Banfield says that huge discounts of up to 55 to 60% are predicted next month. Retailers are making room for fall, and to do so, they’re pushing last year’s fall and winter fashions out the door. I know you’re not thinking of sweaters in July, but if you can get a good deal on something you’ll need come October, why not?
- Summer clothing. Yep, that too. Prices are dropping because even though July is barely the mid-point, as far as warm weather is concerned, interest in warm-weather fashions is waning.
- Jewelry. Big price breaks, here, which Banfield says could hit as much as 48% off. Why? It’s a lull in the jewelry-buying cycle — no major holidays, it isn’t engagement season, and while it is wedding season, most brides and grooms have already purchased their rings by now. That means savings for you.
- Power tools. You might remember we touched on this last month, when they were hot just in time for Father’s Day. They’re still being discounted by retailers, largely because we’re right in the swing of home improvement season, which tends to hit during the warmer months.
- Finally, the list of what to skip: Sunglasses, because they’re in such hot demand. You’ll get a better deal after Labor Day, according to Banfield. Bedding, which will also drop in price after Labor Day, when all the white sales hit. And finally school supplies, which are best scooped up during back-to-school season, which always boasts some nice sales.
