Best Things to Buy in July — and 5 Things to Skip

July is a month of patriotic celebrations, fireworks, and lots of quality outdoor time in the summer sun. With Independence Day in full swing this month, July is a shopper's paradise for many big-ticket items that drop in price with holiday sales. Let's take a look at some of the best things to buy in July and a few items you might want to hold off buying for now.

The Best Things to Buy in July

Summer Staples

July is the first full month of summer, but retailers know that many people do their summer item stock-ups well before the summer heat kicks in. However, Savvy shoppers know that waiting until July to buy pool toys, bug spray, sunscreen, and other summer staples can lead to much bigger savings. Look for deals on swimsuits, apparel, towels, outdoor play toys, and all your summer essentials to hit the first of July. Now's the perfect time to buy camping and outdoor gear, too, from places like Overton's which usually have markdowns right around the 4th of July.

Laptops

New laptop models get released by the biggest companies throughout the year, but July is prime time to score major deals on best-selling laptops as retailers gear up to target back-to-school shoppers. Keep in mind that you might want to avoid buying the newest model from your favorite brand but you can opt for the previous model, which is likely to go on sale in July!

Indoor Furniture

Skip spending money on outdoor furniture, like tables and patio chairs, in July. Instead, put your cash toward indoor furniture, which you can grab for lower prices this month. Furniture and home retailers, like RST Brands and Kirkland's, offer significant savings on indoor furniture, like chairs, end tables, and beds. Need dorm furniture to get your child back to college in the fall? Look for Independence Day sales on side tables, media furniture, and bookshelves.

Home Improvement Supplies

Are you looking to complete some home improvement projects this summer? Wait until July to snag ultimate savings from top home improvement retailers, like The Home Depot and Lowe's. These stores always release 4th of July sales that'll keep you affordably stocked up on essentials, like paint, tools, wallpaper, landscaping supplies, and home accents. Be sure to sign up for their email newsletters to get the announcements.

Jewelry

Since we’re past Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, July is one month when there aren't any typical jewelry-gifting holidays around. Therefore, retailers usually start slashing jewelry prices in mid-summer as they try to entice shoppers to keep buying the bling. In fact, some jewelry stores even have Christmas in July-type sales! Check out Macy's (lookout for Macy’s 4th of July deals, too!), Zales, and Kendra Scott for beautiful jewelry deals.

Appliances

Major retailers like Best Buy typically drop a massive 4th of July appliance event each year, allowing you to cash in on major price drops on appliances, like washers and dryers, stoves, dishwashers, refrigerators, and more. Best Buy also features popular appliance bundles, giving you all the basics you need for your kitchen or laundry for discounted prices — some bundles offer 10% off or more!

Cars

In addition to Memorial Day and Labor Day sales, Independence Day makes room for enticing promotions on new and used cars. If you're in the market for a car, truck, or SUV, shop around local dealerships the first week of July to see the steepest savings. Don’t forget to look online first! Most dealerships post their inventory online, allowing you to compare features and prices without dealing with pushy salespeople.

5 Things to Skip in July

1. School and Office Supplies

You might think that July is the best time to start buying school supplies for the new school season. After all, most retailers that carry them are starting to stock their shelves with notebooks, folders, pencils, and lunch bags. However, if you can wait until September to get everything on your list, you'll save on your bill. Retailers like Walmart and Office Depot begin offering BOGO promotions and other deals toward late August and early September on school and office supplies, letting you get more for less.

2. Bicycles

Bicycle models tend to get released twice a year, in early spring and again in the fall, allowing bicycling enthusiasts to enjoy price-dropping bike deals just in time for some of the best seasons for riding. If you're in the market for a new bike, wait closer until the end of summer to catch the deals. This is when shops will start dropping prices to clean out old inventory and make room for the latest releases.

3. Luggage

July is one of the busiest travel months, so don't expect to see amazing deals on luggage for your upcoming vacation. You're better off hitting after-summer sales around Labor Day to get the best discounts on single suitcases and luggage sets for next summer's adventures. When you're ready to shop, check out Macy's and Kohl's luggage sales first — both retailers frequently drop prices on popular sets and pieces.

4. Fall Clothing

Clothing retailers start moving out summer apparel and bringing in fall pieces in July and August, and you won't find much in the way of savings until they've been on the shelves for a while. Instead, wait until the end of August or the beginning of September to start shopping. In fact, Labor Day is usually a perfect time to stock up on fall clothing for kids, women, and men.

5. Cell Phones

The nation's two most prominent cell phone creators, Apple and Samsung, both tend to release their newest smartphone models in August or September, so it's best to wait until after that to score big cell phone savings — if you don't mind getting an older model, of course. You'll need to hang tight for several more months to see lowered prices on the newest models, but previous versions usually dip by $100 or more as soon as new releases become public.