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 June in Seattle stores.
Home Goods & Gifts
It’s wedding and graduation season, so you’ll find deals on all kinds of kitchenware, cookware, barware, and home décor, such as picture frames.
For grads, look for laptops, luggage or travel accessories (including duffels and toiletry bags), business accessories (business card holder, quality pen, or briefcase), digital cameras, Amazon Prime (which just increased its price), or Blue Apron.
Gift cards and cash always work if you’re not sure of your recipient’s tastes or specific needs.
Gardening supplies
Now that the spring season is ending, some gardening supplies start to go on sale in June, such as hoses, sprinklers, and hand tools.
Father’s Day Gifts
Ahead of Dad’s Day June 17, you will find sales on dad-able gifts including recliners and easy chairs, power tools, fishing gear, and meats for the barbecue grill such as steaks and ribs. Local and national stores from Filson to Dick’s and Cabela’s, Walmart and Targetwill be competing for your dollars.
Outdoor gear
If you need any summer toys or outdoor gear, you’ll find good supplies and some deals. Of course, the steepest markdowns come at the end of the season, but that’s also when the choices are fewer. So, if you have fishing, camping, hiking, or other outdoor gear on your wish list, this is a good time to shop and compare.
Laptop computers
While June may not be as good a time to buy a laptop as August, September, November, or December, it is a good time to comparison shop. Sometimes you find a good deal on outgoing models (my preferred choice when buying a new computer). Unless you are gaming or programming, you don’t usually need the latest, greatest computer speed and storage capability and last year’s model will do just fine and cost much less.
Party supplies
Ahead of Fourth of July, you will find deals on picnic and party supplies, including paper goods, and summer party foods such as buns for burgers and dogs, accompaniments, and related groceries.
In additional to Dad’s day deals on meats for the grill, June is a good time to stock up for summer holiday parties for Fourth of July, Seafair, or Labor Day.
Lingerie & Clothing
Victoria’s Secret holds semi-annual sales in December/January and June/July (aka Secret Summer Sale). The details and dates vary each year, but each sale lasts about two to four weeks. Look for deals on multiples, and don’t forget to check for available store coupon promo codes at LivingontheCheap.com. Unless you want a specific item, hold off purchases until near the end of the sale to get the deepest discounts and markdowns on what’s still left.
Nordstrom has an annual half-yearly sale in June. It’s a good time to shop for discounts on a variety of apparel, shoes, and accessories.
If you are not a fan of Victoria Secret or Nordstrom, you can often find lingerie and clothing deals at your favorite major retailer during these, since other stores want to capture some of your business. So, start with your favorite places to shop and see what they have to offer, including major retailers such as GAP, J.C. Penney, Kohl’s, Macy’s, Old Navy, Ross, Target, and others.
If you like designer wear, be sure to search out deals on luxury goods.
I always check my favorite vintage stores before heading to any retail sale.
Off-season travel
If you’re itching to get out of town on a budget, head to the mountains, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, or check Caribbean destinations. These off-season locales are likely to have deals on hotels and travel packages. Check out what they have to offer and weigh the downsides (no snow, blazingly hot, and hurricanes a-comin’), then throw some caution to the wind.
Sunglasses
National Sunglass Day is June 27, so late June might be good time get some new shades.
National Dairy Month
Since June is National Dairy Month, you will find specials on yogurt, cheese, and ice cream treats.
Seasonal produce
Local fresh fruit begins coming to market in June. This month especially look for apricots, cherries, and strawberries.
Local vegetables at their peak in June include lettuce and greens, all varieties of peas, pea vines, radishes, fresh herbs, and zucchini flowers.
Asparagus and rhubarb will be winding down soon. So stock up if you haven’t had enough or want to freeze or pickle some asparagus to enjoy later, or lay in some frozen rhubarb or sauce.
Strawberries at the farmers market photo by Carole Cancler
