Best and Worst Buys of July 2014

Fourth of July sales offer a rare opportunity to get discounts on seasonal items while they’re actually in season. So you’ll see markdowns on summer apparel, grills and patio furniture this month — as well as deals on a variety of other goods. Here’s what you can expect to find on sale in July, and what you should wait a little longer to buy.

What’s on sale now?

Appliances. Look for sales on major appliances over the long Fourth of July weekend. Offers.com CEO Howard Schaffer says he’s already seeing discounts of 40% on major brands.

Furniture. Furniture stores have clearance sales in July (and January) to clear out inventory before new styles are released. As a result, furniture prices will reach some of their lowest levels of the year, Schaffer says. Some stores also are offering financing for up to five years interest free. However, if given the choice, consumers will be better off taking an additional discount rather than a financing option, Schaffer says.

Laptops. Back-to-school sales are a good time to find deals on computers.  The best savings this year will be on touchscreen systems and 15-inch laptops. According to dealnews.com, prices might dip as low as $199 on touchscreens, and laptop deals will range from $300 to $330.