Home Items You Should Buy During Major July Sales

Whether it’s a vacuum cleaner that no longer works or a sofa that needs to go, there’s a good chance you need something for your house right now. From Independence Day to midsummer sales, July is a great month to score deals on everything from furniture to decor and appliances. But you have to know the best way to take advantage of these seasonal sales.

Here’s what you should (and shouldn’t) add to your cart in July, as well as the best places to shop, according to Kimberly Palmer, a personal finance expert at NerdWallet.

Save Big on Big-Ticket Items (and Smaller Appliances Too)

July is a great time to score deals on big-ticket items like electronics and appliances. “Both large appliances, like washers and fridges, and small appliances, like coffee makers or vacuums, go on sale,” says Palmer.

So whether your washing machine is on the fritz or you’ve always wanted one of those fancy espresso makers—now is the time to save.

Don’t Miss Prime Day

Don’t forget to set your calendar for Prime Day, which lasts from July 16th to July 17th. Palmer tells me this is the best time to save big on Amazon-branded items, such as Fire TVs and Ring doorbells.

Whether you need new sheets, a lamp, or new towels—this is an ideal time to see what Amazon has to offer, because you never know what’s going to be marked down.

Shop Walmart, Amazon, And Target For Furniture

Palmer tells me the big summer sales start in mid-July at Walmart and Target, as well as on Amazon, but many smaller and local retailers follow suit, which means you are likely to get good deals just about anywhere. “To be sure you get the lowest price, you’ll want to keep your eye out for deals and promotional pricing starting in the second week of July,” she says.

Palmer also says that retailers will sometimes share additional promo codes over email or social media, so be sure to sign up for their mailing lists and follow them.

Skip These Home Items in July

July is a great month for a lot of sales—but it isn’t the best month to replace everything in your home. Palmer tells me you’ll want to wait just a little bit longer to buy most indoor furniture, as prices on those items tend to drop in the fall when stores receive their new fall inventory.

She also advises skipping seasonal outdoor items like lawnmowers and grills in July because the prices will still be on the higher side. So try and hold onto what you have and then treat yourself after Labor Day when prices drop.

More Money-Saving Tips

When you’re online shopping, Palmer recommends using a browser extension like Honey—which automatically finds and applies coupon codes—to help you find the lowest prices available.

“Tracking prices with tools like the Camelizer or Honey browser extensions can help shoppers make informed decisions about when to buy,” says Palmer. “Sometimes inventory is limited, so doing research on the purchases you are considering in advance can help you make quick decisions once the sales actually begin.”