Fourth of July buys: Deals for now and later

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Retailers across the country are promoting some of their biggest deals and steals. With Fourth of July around the corner, Local 10 News' Call Christina team consulted shopping experts at FatWallet.com for more information on how consumers can spend smart on their summer wants and needs.

"The week leading up to the Fourth of July brings the largest summer sales events of the year with virtually every retailer participating with deep discounts," FatWallet online shopping expert Brent Shelton said. "Timely savings can be significant this week for consumers with immediate needs for holiday celebrations, upcoming summer activities and home upgrades."

Recommended Videos



BUY NOW:

According to FatWallet, some of the best items to buy right now are also the biggest. Air conditioners, outdoor sporting gear, patio furniture, grills and indoor furniture are all at the top of the list when it comes to savings.

For air conditioners, buying immediately is the way to go. Shopping analysts predict both savings and selection will fall out of favor once Fourth of July sales events end. Right about now, stores like Sears and Walmart will take upwards of 25 percent off.

Outdoor sporting gear is also nearing prime time for purchase. Hiking, camping and fishing gear will see some deep discounts, along with deals on pools and outdoor toys and games.

Fourth of July deals are great for indoor and outdoor furniture seekers as well. If you're looking to upgrade, you can expect to find discount patio furniture going for 30 to 60 percent off and grills selling for $100 or more off original prices. This is a big month for indoor furniture, as last year's living room and bedroom sets are put on huge clearance at furniture stores looking to make room for August's new inventory.

Summer clothing isn't usually the best to buy around the Fourth of July, but swimwear, beach gear and kid's summer apparel still get some of the top discounts. Children and babies clothing goes for 20 to 40 percent off on things like shorts, polos, dresses and sandals before back-to-school time. Top brand swimsuits and beach gear sales are also widespread during this time, with some discounts ranging from 25 to 75 percent off site-wide.

BUY LATER:

If you're in the market for a new pair of jeans, consider waiting till after Fourth of July discounting. Back-to-school time is right around the corner, with August having the best saving events for kid's jeans and denim and the fall season having huge discounts for adults.

Same goes for laptops and tablets. Though there will be deals, the best discounts pop up near the end of July and beginning of August. Waiting gives parents the chance to find more selection for desktops, tablets and laptops, in addition to savings from 2016 tax holidays and student discounts. Often these price drops are even more than Black Friday.

FatWallet also shared its Fourth of July 2016 Sale Roundup for consumers to find featured Independence Day sales in-store and online.

SAVE THE DATE:

This year's Back-to-School tax holiday is August 5-7.

According to the Florida Department of Revenue, "Legislation was passed (Chapter 2016-220, Section 24, Laws of Florida) to create a 3-day sales tax holiday that will begin at 12:01 a.m., Friday, August 5, 2016, and end at 11:59 p.m., Sunday, August 7, 2016. During this period, no Florida sales tax or local option tax will be collected on sales of clothing, footwear and certain accessories selling for $60 or less per item and on certain school supplies selling for $15 or less per item."

Click here to view a list of all items eligible for the Back-to-School tax holiday.

Click here to view a list of clothing items for the Back-to-School holiday:

Click here to view a list of school supply items for the Back-to-School holiday:

Click here for more information about the 2015 Back-To-School tax holiday

Article written by: Sara Girard, Call Christina Team Member

Follow Girard on Twitter @SaraYGirard