July's the Best Time to Buy ...

We're all watching our family budgets these days. Whether shopping with coupons or looking for two-for-one deals, we're taking advantage of all sorts of offers and savings that help us stretch our dollars.

This column is dedicated to giving you five great local deals each week that will help your family's bottom line, and since we do the scouting for you, you can save time as well as money.

You are a big part of this column. Let us hear about the deals you've seen. Just add them to our comment box. Then come back each week and see what we've uncovered together.

July is the best month to buy furniture, home décor, outdoor grills and computers. This week Frugal Family scoured our local sources to come up with great deals on these items. Also, check the Back To School bargain of the week: flash drives for $5.99.

Furniture – New furniture lines hit the showroom in August and “old” stock can be purchased for 10% - 50% less. Outdoor furniture is the most heavily discounted. Ashley Home Furniture has a great “14 Piece Room Package Event" for $799.00. Prices Valid 7/13/11-7/25/11. Go to www.ashleyfurniturehomestore.com to view selected items. 840 Ernest Barrett Parkway, Kennesaw - (770) 874-4663

Home Décor – The majority of weddings take place between June and October and the season is busy for gift giving. Retailers offer their best home décor sales during this time. Home Goods (owned by TJ Maxx) near Town Center is the perfect place to shop for unique, name brand or designer home décor. The inventory is ever-changing and prices are a fraction of what they are at department stores-60% or more. A few examples of items you may there for $25 and under: Lenox China/Crystal, Ralph Lauren Sheets, Silver frames and Stainless Steel Cookware. Note: HGTV interior decorators regularly use Home Goods when they do those “design on a dime” shows. 2555 Cobb Place Lane NW, Kennesaw  homegoods.com

Computers – Most computers go on sale now because it’s back to school season and tech companies are coming out with the latest products and upgrade, according to www.consumerreports.org. Local Deal: New Model Toshiba Intel Pentium Processor Laptop. Exclusively at Best Buy this week:  15.6” Screen size, 4 GB Hard Drive, Up to 5 hours & 42 minutes battery life, Windows 7, Home Premium & Webcam. Limited quantities. No rainchecks. Prices effective Sunday July 24 through Saturday July 30. All locations. bestbuy.com

Grills - After the 4th of July, stores focus on getting rid of outdoor cooking items to make room for cooler weather items. This week Big Lots offers a Char-Broil® Stainless Steel 40,000 BTU 3-Burner Gas Grill With Side Burner  for $189.00. Includes 686 sq. in. total cooking area, 40,000 BTU from three burners, 12,000 BTU side burner with lid, stainless steel lid with professional temperature gauge, electronic ignition, up-front control panel   680 Powder Springs Street,  Marietta   (770) 422-7565  www.biglots.com 

Back To School Bargain Of The Week:

Staples – SanDisk Cruzer 4 GB USB Flash Drive - $5.99. Save $12. All locations while supplies last. staples.com