July can really heat up your budget, especially with all of the hot weather forcing you to kick up the air conditioning or seek cooler activities. Of course, July isn’t all expenditures though! In fact, there’s quite a few things you can save a whole lot of money on if you’re looking for a good deal. With a little heads up on these great deals, you should be able to help supply your household with some items that will keep your budget down for the rest of the year. Now, you can easily forget about the summer heat for just a little while and take the whole family on a shopping excursion that will help you save. So, prepare for the cool air conditioning of the mall and let this guide help you find the best savings of the month.
1. Swimwear
Yes, summer has just begun, but that’s not going to stop bathing suits from hitting the sales racks. This month is the perfect time to grab a bathing suit if you don’t already have one, need another or would like to stock up for next year. Most bathing suits will start going on sale during the 4th of July sales, so make sure to stop by your favorite department or clothing store to see if you can find a great deal on the suit you were admiring back in May or June. The best thing is, bathing suits for all ages and genders will be on sale, so you can get something for the whole family. Of course, if you are planning ahead for next year, try to guestimate how much your child will grow in that time as to not waste money on a suit they may never get to wear.
2. Air Conditioning
If you’re looking for a new air conditioner, then it may be time to do the happy dance. The month of July is actually one of the best times to get a new air conditioner, so hurry in to your favorite store and ease the pain of the summer heat. From wall units to portable air conditioners, you should be able to find what you need to keep your home refreshing without the typical price tag. Of course, there’s a few things you may want to consider before you purchase the air conditioning. For starters, is it energy efficient? If not, you could end up spending more than you bargained for on the unit. Also, is the unit a swamp cooler? These require water, which could up your bills, especially if you’re living in an area that is dealing with a drought. You may also want to consider using ceiling fans with the unit to help keep prices down. Also, you should calculate yearly savings on each unit you’re looking at, so you’ll know which is best for your budget in the long term and the short term.
3. Last Minute Vacations
Haven’t taken the plunge and picked a vacation yet? Or perhaps, you need another vacation to help you cope with the first vacation? Then, have no fear because July is the month to book something last minute. Most people tend to book early to maximize savings, which is probably your best option. However, most airlines, hotels, resorts and so on, want to fill their openings which is why so many vacation plans begin to take a huge price hike in the month of July. One of the first places to start is a travel website dedicated to finding you the best deals. When you see what is available then you may have a lot of different options for travel, based on your price range. Talking to a travel agent may also do you a world of good, so don’t forget to use this excellent planning service. Of course, as with any vacation, make sure to shop around and have everything ready to go in case your destination of choice only has a short window of discounted openings.
4. Food Freebies
For some reason, July seems to be the month of the sweet tooth. There’s actually a ton of obscure food holidays in the month, which will leave your cravings satisfied until Halloween rolls around. Of course, the problem is knowing when the holidays come up. With a little research online, you can find a lot of different lists that can steer you in the right direction. From there, contact local businesses in the area to see if they plan on celebrating the occasion with a free or discounted treat. Some restaurants may actually give you a freebie just for mentioning or bringing the holiday to their attention. One of the most popular of these days is 7/11’s iconic free slurpee day! Of course, it’s not all about the sweets. There’s actually several days devoted to your favorite barbeque dishes, bagels and your favorite alcoholic beverages.
5. Sports Gear
If you’re itching to enjoy a good ole competitive sport, then July is the time to find the big savings. Usually baseball season is in full swing during this month, so if your child needs new gear then now is the time to upgrade the glove, helmet or bat. You may also want to stock up for some of the essentials you’ll need for next season. Golf is also a big sport during the summer and you’re sure to find a whole lot of deals on golf clubs, bags and even golfing attire and shoes. Of course, the sport doesn’t have to be in full swing for you to find some savings. In fact, you may want to look for tennis supplies if your child plans on joining the sport when they return to school. Also, football, soccer and hockey gear should be in the clearance racks, so now may be the time to grab last season’s stuff so you can save on the upcoming seasons!
6. Furniture
When it comes to redecorating the home, there’s no better time to look for furniture than in July. This is probably because so many students and couples are starting off on their own after graduation and wedding season. The best time to start looking for furniture is during the 4th of July, but don’t fret if you missed many of the sales. There should be sales going on throughout the season, so make sure to keep track of what is going on at your local or chain department stores. You may even want to look online for some furniture deals. After all, in most cases, the purchase should be high enough to earn you free shipping, which will help stretch the savings even further. Of course, if you have old furniture to get rid, try to sell it to help save you even more money on your new set. If you have a student heading to a dorm room, then this may be the time to check out small furniture, such as chairs or other items they can take with them. Even small, foldable chairs can work wonders for a homesick student trying to make it through their first exam period.
7. Bottled Water
Whether you drink bottled water on a regular basis, or are simply looking to keep some in your emergency stock, this month is the perfect time to buy this product in bulk. Typically, bottled water can cost you an arm and a leg, especially if you’re buying the more expensive brands. However, this month, you’ll see prices drop significantly which can come in handy if your kids are in sports, you hike frequently or you don’t have a filtration system in your home. Of course, CRV prices probably won’t be taken off of your bottled water goods, but with the drop in price, you’ll barely notice the CRV on your receipt. Plus, you can always take your recycled bottles in to get a small refund on your purchase. Even if you’re not a fan of buying bottled water, having at least one or two cases in your emergency kit can help keep your family strong if there ever is an emergency or shortage of water.
8. Jeans
Buying a new pair of jeans may be the last thing on your mind during the month of July. However, you may want to think towards the future and check out your favorite brands to see if there is a sale that could benefit you when the weather cools down. During the month of July, it’s too hot for jeans so a lot of retailers will put them on sale to help get them off the shelves. Also, new fashions begin to make their way into stores in August, so many retailers don’t want to have a back stock of last year’s trends. Since jeans are on sale now, you may want to stock up on new looks for your kids’ school days, especially if the kids aren’t allowed to wear shorts to school. It may also be a great time to dig through the closet and get rid of all the old jeans that have been worn down over the years. This will help you make room for the jeans you’re going to save a bundle on.
9. Suits
Dressing to impress may also be another thing that isn’t currently on your mind because of the heat. However, wedding season is in full swing and if you know a graduate looking for a job then a suit may come in handy. Plus, pretty soon school will back in session and school dances will be knocking at the door. Of course, if you have to wear a suit to work each day, then this deal may be especially helpful to you. For starters, make sure to look around to see if there are any styles that are appropriate for your needs and your taste in clothing. Then, you should also check the fit. Once you know the suit for you then shop around, because you may find it at a better price elsewhere. You should also consider the amount of tailoring the suit may need. If a store offers free tailoring then you may be in for the deal of the year.
10. Christmas Items
Sure, Christmas may feel like half a year away right now, but before you know it the kids will be begging for toys seen on commercials and the cold weather will be the hottest topic of conversation. All the same, Christmas in July seems to be gaining more momentum as the years pass, especially in thrift stores. This doesn’t mean you have to throw two Christmas celebrations a year though. It does mean that you can find some pretty awesome deals on supplies you may have missed out on during the Christmas clearance events. So, you may want to start your journey in the décor section. There should be everything from garland to Christmas lights on sales, at a price that definitely rivals the holiday season. You may also want to look at artificial trees, as you may find some of the bigger and more outstanding trees at a price that you’d normally have to pay for something quite small. Finally, you may want to shop around for some of the “it” gifts, like tablets and some toys. You may find prices on these items that you wouldn’t even believe to be possible. If you don’t want to pay full price for these items not, then adding then to a layaway program will help keep the low price while allowing you to pay installments.
July doesn’t have to be remembered for its unbearable heat and large utility bills. Instead, try to check out some of these savings to see if any will help your household budget out in the long run. Even if you don’t find anything you like, spending time in the in-store air conditioning could be well worth the trip.
