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Glasgow, Scotland - The side of an Amazon Prime delivery van on a street in Partick, Glasgow.
georgeclerk/istockphoto

As someone who covers deals for a living, I’m always in tune with what the top Amazon Prime Day must-haves are. But what does someone who writes about deals actually need at this point? Here’s my short list of what I’m shopping for on July 11 and 12, and most of these items are already on sale early.

Pre-Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet

Pre-Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet
Amazon

$20 from Amazon

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I got one of these same skillets a number of years ago, and it has become my husband’s favorite for daily cooking. Unfortunately, neither one of us knew the trick to cleaning cast iron before. Now that that’s changed, I’m getting a new one on sale and keeping it in perfect condition with my new skills. Can’t wait to be a cast-iron stan.

Levi’s Women’s Premium Wedgie Straight Jeans

Levi's Women's Premium Wedgie Straight Jeans
Amazon

$36 from Amazon

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Ignore the wedgie part of the name of these jeans — they’re still a classic silhouette. Some colors are already deeply discounted, but I’m going for a classic blue shade. I’m petite, so the ankle length means no alterations necessary. Not sure about your size? These are available through Prime’s Try Before You Buy. 

Prettygarden Dress

Prettygarden Dress
Amazon

$29 from Amazon

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I love how this dress easily transitions from summer to fall, and casual to dressed up. How many outfits can you say that about? I’m going to try to stick to buying just one color, but I can’t promise that.

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Amazon Fire Max 11

Amazon Fire Max 11
Amazon

$320 from Amazon

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My Fire tablet is old as dirt and cracked, so it’s time to upgrade. I’m thinking this time I’ll go with the brand-new Fire Max 11, which is sure to have some sort of discount offered up when Prime Day hits. The keyboard case connects directly with the tablet, which is so useful — effectively making it a mini laptop that will be great for taking along on summer travels.

Related: I’ve Been Reporting on Prime Day for Years, and These Are Always the Best Items To Buy

Bissell PowerFresh Vac & Steam

Bissell PowerFresh Vac & Steam
Amazon

$130 from Amazon

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I have an older model hardwood floor vac/mop combo that I’ve literally driven into the ground. It’s made kitchen cleanup remarkably easier than sweeping. I’m going to upgrade to this new vacuum that uses steam to sanitize floors instead of having to buy floor cleaner. Better for the environment and my wallet!

Meet the Writer

Jennifer Magid has worked as a writer and editor in publishing and marketing for almost two decades. She has written for outlets ranging from InStyle magazine to Psychology Today and for a number of grocery and personal care brands. Jennifer is frugal by proxy: She is married to a certified cheapskate, which has been good for her wallet but bad for her shoe and handbag collections. These days, she never, ever buys her fashions at full price. Jennifer holds a Master’s in Journalism from New York University. She lives in Connecticut with her family and an admittedly expensive-to-maintain standard poodle — the one anomaly in her cheap lifestyle. Find out more about Jennifer at www.jennifermagid.com. You can reach her at [email protected].