July Is the Worst Month to Buy These 9 Things

Prices for many everyday items tend to increase in the summer. The cost of gasoline creeps up as people travel to see family and take vacations. Many people experience higher utility and grocery bills, too. And with kids out of school, some families could see their grocery costs and daycare expenses double.

While it might not be possible to avoid those expenses this July, you can save money shopping for these other products — if you can wait a little longer to buy them.

Large outdoor items, such as lawnmowers and weedeaters, often come with higher price tags in the summer.

Kids are out of school and playing outside, and your neighbors are enjoying outdoor barbeques and get-togethers. It only makes sense that everyone wants a tidy, manicured lawn this time of year.

Companies know most people are willing to spend more money on lawnmowers in June and July. If you want to save money on lawn maintenance equipment, consider purchasing it once summer comes to an end.

Grills are a good item to skip in July for the same reason lawnmowers are. You don’t see many people grilling during the winter, but it’s a popular cooking method during the summer, especially with the Independence Day holiday in July.

If your old grill can make it through the rest of summer, you might want to hold off on purchasing a new one. You’ll probably pay less when autumn rolls around.

Patio furniture is another item most enjoyed during cookout season. While it might be tempting to splurge on a new patio set this July, waiting just another month or two could save you big time.

Patio furniture is big and bulky, and it can take up a lot of space. Stores typically want to sell what’s on the sales floor before cold weather sets in So, you’re likely to find patio furniture on sale toward the end of the summer season.

Indoor furniture is enjoyed all year long, but you could still spend more than you need to if you purchase it in July. That’s because furniture stores typically receive new inventory in the spring and fall.

The closer it is to the time for a new shipment, the more motivated furniture stores are to sell off what they already have. Check the prices again in August or September if you want to get the best deal.

It’s no secret that AC units are most in demand during the hottest months. Most people will have their air conditioning on throughout July and August, but it’s probably not the best time to buy one.

Summer and winter feature the most severe temperatures, so HVAC installers and technicians are busiest during those seasons. That means purchasing a new AC unit in the summer (and even in the winter) could cost you more than it needs to.

Electronics are among the most popular Black Friday sale items, which occurs in November, not July. If you can wait another four months, you could find TVs, the newest phones, and game systems for significantly less.

If you need to replace an electronic device in July, shop around and compare prices so you don’t spend more than you need to.

Sunglasses are often used as a fashion statement, and some people wear them year-round. However, sunglasses are also used to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays that come from the sun. And the sun shines the brightest during the summer.

If you can wait until the off-season to purchase new shades, you could spend significantly less. Who knows? You might even save enough money to buy two pairs of designer shades that you can sport next year.

July is a popular month for traveling. Kids are on summer break, and employees often put in for vacation time. With high demand comes higher prices, and airfare is no exception. So, if you want to travel this summer or next, consider booking your vacation in August.

Waiting just a few extra weeks for that vacation could save you 10% to 20% on airfare costs. That means you’ll have more money to spend while enjoying your trip.

According to The Better Sleep Council, you should replace your mattress every seven years (although most people keep mattresses for ten years). However, waiting another couple of months probably won’t hurt.

Furniture and mattress stores tend to run big sales for Labor Day weekend. Since quality mattresses can cost $1,000 or more, these sales are worth waiting for.

Purchasing items when demand dies down will help you keep more cash in your wallet. That doesn’t always mean you need to wait until December to purchase summer goods. Waiting even one month can sometimes result in big savings.

If you don’t need that new grill or big-screen TV this July, consider delaying the purchases until prices decrease. You could use that money you’ll save to have more fun this summer or invest in your future.