Between the price of keeping your house bearably cool and keeping the kids entertained during summer break, you may find that expenses in the month of July are way more than they should be. Luckily, you don’t have to worry about some aspects of the month as July brings lots of fun elements to your shopping experience that won’t cost an arm and a leg. With these ten shopping suggestions, you’ll be able to get the things you need and some things you never knew you needed without straying from your budget. So, don’t let the rising heat get to you, instead enjoy some retail therapy whenever you need a break from summer blues.
1. Christmas in July
Just when you thought you wouldn’t have to worry about the holidays for several months, July rolls around with Christmas in July shopping. Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to buy presents for anyone, unless you just want to. Rather, Christmas in July brings offers on holiday décor, Christmas trees and all the fixings, as well as music and movies. Best of all, these items are displayed at a clearance price so you can prep for the holiday at an incredibly low price. This is great for anyone who may not have all the supplies they need or want for the holiday, or for people who may be starting out on their own before the holiday arrive. No matter what the reason behind shopping these sales, it may actually cool you down and allow you to brighten your spirits as your browse all of the cute holiday items. Now is also a great time to go ahead and grab holiday cards, or order personal cards so you won’t end up in a bind filling them all out in December. Of course, you may also want to consider checking out Amazon Prime Day too, which could leave you with the Black Friday buzz you miss all year.
2. Baseball Supplies
A lot of baseball leagues’ seasons are either coming to a close or right in the middle of the season, which means baseball supplies aren’t really a huge demand anymore. This might be a great time to stock up on a new mitt, bat and some baseballs to help your star practice during the offseason. If your child is in college or high school then now may be the time to grab supplies for their team at school, so you won’t end up struggling to find their size when all of the other parents are shopping too. Bags to store all of the gear in will be a great buy this month as well, so make sure you’re covered for the season next time it rolls around. Baseball clothing with also be on sale this month, may it be jerseys or t-shirts for your favorite team or uniforms and cleats to play in.
3. Home Decor
Now is a great time to grab a few new items to give your home an extra special look. May it be decorating for summer or simply adding a few vases or paintings to the home, the month of July is privy to some pretty awesome deals. Of course, you may want to take your shopping experience online for this one as there will be so many deals both locally and online. These sales are largely thanks to the wedding season, which is spiking during this time of the year. So, if you have someone you know that is tying the knot, it might be wise to grab them a little something on sale too. It will save you money while still presenting them with a great gift that they can admire for years to come.
4. Ice Cream
Luckily for all of us, July is National Ice Cream Month, which will allow everyone to buy their favorite treats to cool down at a lower price. This is sure to help out with your budget, especially when it comes to treating the kids. It doesn’t matter if you plan on buying ice cream from your favorite grocery store or if you want to go out with the kids and have a huge sundae together, there should be sales everywhere you look. Don’t worry, non-dairy ice cream should be looped in for those who are lactose intolerant. Some ice cream shops may even host freebies to help bring in business, so don’t be afraid to ask or look around to see if anyone is offering something delicious for your family. You might want to branch out more than just grocery stores and restaurants though. Many department stores will have discounts on supplies to make ice cream, which could help you save even more money as the heat rises and your family craves a bit of a sweet treat.
5. Patriotic Items
Summer is the time for patriotic holidays that fill people with joy. Between Memorial Day, Flag Day and the Fourth of July, there will be lots of options when it comes to finding patriotic items to purchase. Once the Fourth of July comes and goes, all of these items should make their way onto the clearance rack, which is the perfect time for you to stock up on supplies you know you’re going to need for next summer. Whether it’s buying cute indoor or exterior décor or finding a new flag to display, the month of July is the time to do it. This may also be a great time to buy items for the veterans in your life as there should be branch specific items on sale too. This will cut down on your holiday and birthday spending while still allowing you to buy a gift that is thoughtful.
6. Late Season Travel
If you haven’t secured vacation plans just yet, then you may want to hop online in July and grab some travel plans for August. Late season travel will be a great price in the month of July, so you won’t have to stress out about not getting in your much needed vacation time at a decent price. This travel will allow you to grab airline tickets at a price that hasn’t been seen all summer, which is definitely a bonus. Apart from that, you should be able to score a pretty nice hotel at a price that won’t give you nightmares. Since most people have gotten their travel out of the way, you’ll be ready to enjoy the sights without having to maneuver your way through all of the crowds. Of course, you may not want to wait too long on your travel plans though as deals like this can easily be swept up in a hurry if you’re planning on heading to a popular destination.
7. PC Games
With summer here, there’s a good chance your kids have hit a wall of boredom that is probably driving you crazy. Don’t stress too much, although you probably have quite a few activities planned there’s bound to be some down time. PC games are a great way to keep kids entertained, no matter their age. Luckily, the month of July will see lots of PC game sales, so you can get just about any type of game, including educational, at a decent price. Steam hosts their big annual event during the month of July, which is a great time to find some pretty amazing deals on games that are both big brand or simple puzzle variety. Many other gaming platforms will host sales to compete too, so don’t forget to browse around to see if you can find something up your alley.
8. Swimwear
Summer is only just beginning, but the sales on swimwear are already starting to hit their peak. Now may be the perfect time to stock up on items like bathing suits for the rest of the season or even next year. Swimwear always seems to have a short shelf life and new fashions are always coming out, so check out your local store as much as possible to see if you can find something that suits you. This is also a great time to grab suits for next year for the kids. Make sure to shop a size or two up so they’ll still fit. You may also want to avoid cute characters, just in case they aren’t quite as cool next year. Once you have your swimwear then check out beach towels, swim shoes and goggles to make sure you cover all grounds during your shopping adventures. With all of these sales, next summer shouldn’t be a problem in regards to shopping.
9. Air Conditioners
With the heat rising, you may be under the impression that air conditioners costs will be too. This isn’t the case in July though as many businesses see the escalating heat as a great way to make some sales. So, you might want to call around and see what kind of deal you can get on an air conditioning unit, as well as installation. Just because an air conditioner is on sale doesn’t mean you should take the leap and buy it though. In fact, it may be wise to do a bit of research before you take the plunge. Make sure you know just how much your air conditioner is going to cost you, so you won’t even up with buyer’s remorse when things are said and done. If you can find an Energy Star unit then you’ll be on the right track and you may even be able to claim it on your taxes. Remember, don’t let the heat cloud your judgement when shopping for air conditioning.
10. Grills and Accessories
There’s still plenty of the season to host a barbecue with your loved ones, so deals on grills may be right up your alley. Even though the season isn’t technically over, many stores are hoping to get rid of their grill stock before the autumn months set in and new grills arrive. This works to your advantage as having a grill can really help you save money during the summer months. If you want to save even more money check the clearance racks to see if there’s any grills there too. These should be marked down even more and will allow you to save even more money. Some stores will even sell slightly damaged grills for an incredible price too, so don’t be afraid to ask about this or floor models. You should be able to find lots of amazing deals on grilling accessories too. Cooking utensils may be a must, but you should also check out rotisseries, pizza ovens and other amazing tools to make your grill even more convenient.
The month of July is sure to leave you feeling amazing after you see all of the fantastic deals. With the summer heat peaking, you’ll enjoy taking some time out of your summer schedule to check out some great deals and to grab some items that will make you fall in love with the summer months again. Between Christmas in July and a brand new grill, you may even find your new happy place.
