TOLEDO, Ohio — You’ve probably seen sale and clearance signs popping up all over the place.
But just because it’s on sale, doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the BEST deal you can get.
Here's what sales to take advantage of this month, and what items to hold off on if you can.
In case you haven’t yet heard, today and tomorrow, it's Amazon Prime Day.
That means those who pay for a membership can get steep discounts on certain items.
Whether buying from the online giant is part of your strategy to save money or not, we all want to keep from overspending.
Here’s an overview of what you can get a great deal on now, and what items it might be better to wait on if you can.
That way when you open those new boxes, it really will feel, like Christmas in July.
Amazon Prime Day is known for great deals on electronics and home appliances.
They may in fact have the best price, but it’s good to know ahead of time if you’re in the market for say a TV, what similar models are selling for.
Be prepared for those time sensitive sales, so you don’t miss out on a great deal.
Jennifer Angel from Grand Rapids was out shopping with her daughter for a gift. While that was something they needed right away, and were sure to get a good price on, she is now looking into what deals she can get over the next couple of days. “I didn’t know about it, so but I mean, if they’re going to run deals, of course I’ll get on. I use Prime probably every day.”
Here’s what to skip:
If you are on Amazon, plan ahead, don’t buy anything on an impulse, you’ll likely regret it later.
Just because you see something pop up doesn’t mean it will be the best deal out there.
There’s some items that if you can wait a month or two to buy, you’re likely going to get a better deal on.
Labor Day sales are the best time to buy mattresses and major appliances, IF you can hold out that long.
Laptops and other back to school supplies are going to see bigger sales in August, but if you’re a good shopper and know you’re getting a deal now, buy what you need.
Andrew Ackerman of Bowling Green was out shopping with his kids. He said, “I needed a printer for school, so they had a great deal on it, it was only 39 bucks, so it worked out perfectly.” The Ackermans still plan to do their fair share of Prime Day shopping as well.
We all know, sometimes you just can’t wait for an item to be shipped, or you want to see what you’re buying in person.
It can be easier to tell the quality of an item in-store than it is online.
Usually, you get what you pay for.
Something that seems like a deal that needs to be replaced in a shorter period of time, could end up costing you more in the long run.
If you do need something right away, like a gift, you not only want to find a good price, but also go someplace with a good return policy, that serves your needs.
Wendy Stone Sedlar of Holland said about her trip to Walmart, “The prices are good, the people are nice, you know, they treat us nice, especially when you’re handicapped. They have the scooters in good condition all the time. The store is clean. I just come here for the customer service and the good prices, pretty simple!”
Here’s some other things to snag this month:
Flights. If you are planning to fly ANYWHERE from Labor Day through the end of the year, NOW is the time to book.
Summer clothes. The season may be halfway over, but knowing the weather in this part of the country, it may not cool off until nearly November, giving you a good bang for your buck, when you can get a great deal on that warm weather gear.
Speaking of gear, a lot of sporting goods stores like Dick’s and REI have summer Black Friday sales, which are not only great for YOUR adventurous spirit, but something to keep in mind if your kids are considering trying out a new sport this year.
One item the experts disagree on is gas grills.
If you come across a really great bang for your buck, go ahead and make that purchase, but buyer beware: If you don’t need a new grill right away, more sales are definitely on the way as the season comes to an end.
No matter what you’re buying, it’s a good idea to shop around, and do your homework.
For more information on what to buy EVERY month, visit https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/shopping/what-to-buy-every-month/
As an added BONUS, here's some freebies you can still catch in July from our friend at Money Talks https://www.moneytalksnews.com/slideshows/july-freebies/