Best things to buy in July

Every month of the year, certain items are discounted due to overstock, holiday sales, or transitions from one season to the next. Here are the shopping highlights for July in Seattle stores.

Summer clothing

Flip-flops are the ultimate summer shoe.

Even though summer is just getting started, you can find deals on summer clothing, swimwear, and footwear (sandals and flip-flops) as stores begin to clear the way for back-to-school merchandise in August.

Especially for the Fourth of July holiday, you’ll find discount on summer apparel. Since July 4^th is a Wednesday in 2018, most sales will take place on the weekend following, July 6^th – 8^th. If shopping appeals to you, then head to the malls and outlet stores.

However, there will be steeper discounts on summer clothing in August and September, but also less selection. So, if you want a summer outfit for an upcoming outdoor event, shop now. If you are strictly after the cheapest prices you can find—perhaps on clothing a size or two up for the kiddos—wait a month or two.

Warm weather recreational gear

Recreational equipment related to summer activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, and camping will see discounts on related apparel and gear as retailers begin to clear out summer stocks to make way for…dare we say it…winter gear. <shudder>

Fourth of July merchandise

Red, white, and blue are the colors of the month, and you’ll find them on everything from clothing to party accessories. Wait until July 3^rd to start seeing discounted items, and of course July 5^th if you want the best possible prices.

July travel discounts

Most holidays you can score low prices on airfare and hotels. The trick is to be flexible in your travel dates and your destination. In addition to holiday airfare on July 4^th, mid-week tickets (especially Tuesday and Wednesday) are often discounted compared to other dates. Hotels in unlikely places also offer discounts; for mid-summer, this mean hot locations.

The southeast is one possibility (especially Mississippi, Florida, or South Carolina). In the West, try New Mexico, Arizona, or a road trip to the Grand Canyon. Closer to home try Mt. Hood in Oregon or sunny Spokane in eastern Washington.

Good getaways on a budget in our own backyard include Winthrop and the North Cascades or on the Washington Peninsula, whether via hotels or camping.

Free food safety guides for summer barbecues, picnics, and camping

Where to watch wildlife in Washington State (free!)

Getaway: Grand Coulee Dam recreation area (230 miles)

Summertime is family road trip time!

Indoor and outdoor furniture

Furniture shopping in summer is something you might reserve for a cloudy day, when you won’t miss being outside. There are some deals to be had in mid-summer on sofas, tables, chairs, and bedroom sets

You’ll also start to see discounts on outdoor furniture, though the advice is the same as other seasonal purchases. Discounts now with great selection, or steeper discount later with less selection.

Tools

Retailers may have an excess of tools left over from Father’s Day gift buying. So if you’re in need of anything from pliers to pressure washers, you’ll want to check for sales on any kind of tool you might need.

Seasonal produce

Washington grown produce in season includes:

Fresh fruit at peak season in July include apricots, blackberries, cherries, nectarines, plums, and raspberries.

Most vegetables and herbs are peaking in July, though asparagus is done for the season. Also, I like to wait until August for hot weather vegetables including corn, eggplants, peppers, tomatillos, and tomatoes. And, winter squash and sweet potatoes are not in season until fall.

2018/2019 Season Tickets

Many theater and performing arts seasons run fall through spring, making summer a good time to think about purchasing entertainment for the coming year. Season tickets are a great way to save money on a night out. You often have a choice of the numbers of productions you see, as well as substantial savings over single ticket purchases, lower ticket fees, ticket exchanges, and other benefits. This makes season tickets a great entertainment option, even for those on a budget. Check out the following season tickets subscriptions in performing arts venues around the Puget Sound region:

Full price adult ticket prices are listed. Discounts may apply for students or seniors, etc.

ArtsWest (provocative theater as a powerful agent of change): 2018/2019 season: Tskeleton Crew (September 20 – October 14, 2018), Jane Eyre (November 15 – December 23, 2018), M. Butterfly (January 24 – February 17, 2019), John (March 14 – April 7, 2019), Office Hour (May 2 – May 26, 2019), The Last World Octopus Wrestling Champion (June 20 – July 28, 2019). See all six plays beginning at $190 for the season.
Edmonds Driftwood Players (mystery, drama, comedy, musicals). Something’s Afoot (September 14 – 30, 2018), Peter and the Starcatcher (November 30 – December 23, 2018), Silent Sky (February 8 – 24, 2019), The Addams Family – A New Musical (April 12 – May 5, 2019), See five plays at $115 for the season.
Meany Center at UW Seattle. Choose your own package of four or more performances from a variety of programs.
Pacific Northwest Ballet (classics, new, and innovative productions). 2018/2019 season: Jerome Robbins Festival (September 21 – 29, 2018), All Premiere (November 2 – 11, 2018), The Sleeping Beauty (February 1 – 10, 2019), Director’s Choice (March 15 – 24, 2019), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (April 12 – 21, 2019), Themes & Variations (May 31 – June 9, 2019). See all six ballets beginning at $166 for the season. Plus, save 20% on George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker for the holidays.
Seattle Opera (classics, new, and innovative productions). 2018/2019 season: Porgy And Bess (Aug. 11–25), 2018, The Turn Of The Screw (Oct. 13–27, 2018), Il Trovatore (Jan. 12–26, 2019), The (R)Evolution Of Steve Jobs (Feb. 23–Mar. 9, 2019), Carmen (May 4–18, 2019). See all five operas beginning at $199 for the season. Opera goers ages 21–39 are invited to join the BRAVO! young professionals group with still lower pricing, beginning at $172.
Seattle Repertory Theatre (diverse perspectives, classic and new works). 2018/2019 season: A Thousand Splendid Suns (October 5 – November 10, 2018), A People’s History (October 17 – November 25, 2018), In the Heights (November 23 – December 30, 2018), Last of the Boys (January 18 – February 10, 2019), The Woman in Black (February 22 – March 24, 2019), A Doll’s House, Part 2′ (March 15 – April 28, 2019), Nina Simone: Four Women (April 26 – June 2, 2019), Lydia and the Troll (May 17 – June 23, 2019). See all eight plays beginning at $197 for the season.
Seattle Symphony (various series, classics to pop). Many choices, such as 5-performance of classic masterworks beginning at $225, or up to 22-concerts beginning at $660. Pops series of 6 concerts beginning at $186. Family series of 4 concerts at $72/adult, $52/student or senior. Many other choices available.
The 5^th Avenue Theatre (musicals). 2018/2019 season: Come From Away (Oct 9 – Nov 4, 2018), Annie (Nov 23 – Dec 30, 2018), Rock of Ages (Feb 1 – Feb 24, 2019), Little Dancer (Mar 22 – Apr 14, 2019), Urinetown (Apr 6 – Jun 9, 2019), The Lightning Thief (Apr 23 – Apr 28, 2019), West Side Story (May 31 – Jun 23, 2019). See all six plays beginning at $225 for the season.
Village Theater (classics, new, and innovative productions): 2018/2019 season: – The Noteworthy Life Of Howard Barnes: September 13 – October 21, 2018 (Issaquah) And October 26 – November 18, 2018 (Everett). Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical: November 8 – December 30, 2018 (Issaquah) And January 4 – February 3, 2019 (Everett). I Do! I Do! A Musical About Marriage: January 17 – February 24, 2019 (Issaquah) And March 1 – 24, 2019 (Everett). The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time: March 14 – April 21, 2019 (Issaquah) And April 26 – May 19, 2019 (Everett). Million Dollar Quartet: May 9 – June 23, 2019 (Issaquah) And June 28 – July 28, 2019 (Everett). See all five plays beginning at $190/Issaquah ($150 for preview) and $170/Everett for the season.

Other possibilities: ACT, Theater Schmeater seasons run from spring to the end of the year, so check back in fall for next season subscription information.