It’s no secret that everyone’s looking to save money on Black Friday. But this year, let’s get real for a second – between inflation still lingering and holiday budgets feeling tighter than ever, just snagging *any* deal might not be enough. If you’re serious about stretching your dollars this Black Friday and not starting 2025 buried in credit card debt, you’ve got to play it smart. This means ditching the frenzied “buy everything in sight” mentality and having a plan.
Let’s break down how you can truly save money on Black Friday while making sure those holiday bills don’t come back to haunt you. This is especially important if you want to buy big-ticket items, such as an Xbox Series X, a Nintendo Switch, or maybe even a new Android phone or other wearable technology. Having a plan can prevent you from going overboard on holiday gifts.
Black Friday Budgeting 101: Stay in the Green, Not in the Red
Ditch the “Black Friday Haze,” Set a Rock-Solid Budget:
Setting a budget is always a good idea, but this year, it’s non-negotiable. Instead of getting sucked into the “Black Friday Haze” and making impulse purchases you later regret, set a realistic limit *before* you even look at a single ad. The key is to know how much you’re willing to spend overall.
Consider creating a shopping list early in the month, so you have time to make adjustments before Black Friday. Factor in how much of your income is going toward your bills, like rent, utilities, transportation, and car insurance. Be aware that those costs can increase unexpectedly, cutting into your potential Black Friday savings. If you don’t subscribe to Amazon Prime or Walmart+, know that both programs offer a 30-day free trial you could use to help with holiday shopping.
Pre-Black Friday Planning is Key
This may seem obvious, but you should make a list. And no, we don’t just mean scribbling “Mom – sweater, Dad – tools” on a scrap of paper. You need to know what gifts you’re buying for who, along with realistic price ranges. Then, take advantage of pre-Black Friday sales to potentially scoop up some deals.
This is especially useful if you know what your giftee wants and there’s no urgency. Plus, by downloading browser extensions, you can receive alerts for when items on your list go on sale. Having a list is especially important if you’re trying to stick to major savings with sale prices.
Don’t Buy What You Don’t Need. We’ll Say It Again – DON’T DO IT.
Let’s face it, we’ve *all* been there. It’s Black Friday and suddenly those “amazing” deals make you believe you desperately need that air fryer even though your kitchen is the size of a closet. You really want to save money this Black Friday, but those small kitchen appliances can be oh-so-tempting, especially with clothing deals right next to them.
Think about those last-minute additions to your cart – how many ended up gathering dust? Avoid falling for doorbusters on items you wouldn’t normally buy. They’re tempting, sure, but often for older models or items retailers want to clear out, making them the ultimate budget busters.
It is really easy to use a credit card this time of year. It can seem like the credit card will let you purchase what you want, when you want. Just be mindful, especially because some people who spend frivolously using their credit card realize they can’t afford to repay the bill and the debt just grows. Avoid those issues by setting a budget and sticking to it.
Navigating the Black Friday Maze
The Early Bird Doesn’t Always Get the Best Worm
Black Friday is notorious for doorbuster deals that send shoppers into a frenzy. While these early bird specials offer attractive discounts, often these deals apply to a limited number of products. Plus, braving the pre-dawn crowds can be more stressful than it’s worth. You might find yourself standing in line with some interesting people and hearing some colorful language.
So why not wait a few hours or shop online? Sometimes, waiting lets you snag similar deals with way less chaos. This is especially true now that so many retailers have started offering pre-Black Friday sales in the weeks (and sometimes even month.) leading up to the big shopping days. In the past, a good idea was to get to the stores before they opened so that you could be the first one there, but now you can shop from the comfort of your own home.
Research by NerdWallet in 2016 discovered that multiple retailers had inflated the compare-at prices for their Black Friday sales, leading to a false sense of savings for the buyer. Instead of simply looking at the sale price, pay attention to how much the item has actually been marked down. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Get Tech-Savvy with Price Trackers & Extensions
Remember price tracking sites? Services like CamelCamelCamel for Amazon and similar tools help you spot whether a so-called deal is actually a good deal or simply a cleverly marketed sale. Some strategies involve comparing price history on items you want.
Tools like these reveal the item’s price trends over the last few months, helping you make smarter purchasing decisions. Many of these services can be used for Cyber Monday, too. By downloading browser extensions, these sites can alert you when there’s a price drop on one of your favorite products.
Then there are browser extensions like Honey, which automatically hunt down and test every available coupon code across tons of stores to snag those extra discounts at checkout. It can sometimes seem too good to be true, but they often will really help to save money. Speaking of cash back, Rakuten is another great extension that offers cash-back for shopping at stores like Target and Macy’s, boosting your savings. Even the savviest Black Friday shoppers could learn something.
Take a Breath, It’s Not a One-Day-Only Event:
We’re conditioned to believe Black Friday is a mad dash to the finish line. The reality? Most retailers extend deals beyond Black Friday. Look, the same stores offering Black Friday doorbusters on Friday will offer different promotions all weekend and often into Cyber Monday. Use this extended shopping period to your advantage, prioritize what you absolutely need, then go after other things.
If you really need something, why not get started early with pre-Black Friday Cyber Monday deals? Don’t underestimate how effective video interviews are during these sale events too. This is a great opportunity to connect with potential employers and discuss any open positions.
Shop Smart, Not Hard: Your Financial Sanity Will Thank You Later
This Black Friday, challenge the norms. While shopping early is ingrained in us, it’s perfectly fine to browse online from your couch. Sites like DealNews bring all those Black Friday deals together so you can avoid wading through online ads.
Or, ditch Black Friday entirely. This goes back to knowing your budget. Don’t be afraid to hold off for even deeper discounts. Travel deals are some of my favorites. Waiting until January when most retailers have “white sales” or post-holiday clearance could net you incredible bargains without the Black Friday pressure. January is also a great time to score big on holiday decor.
Resisting the Urge to Spend: Mindset Matters.
While price trackers and budgeting tools are great, resisting impulse buys takes more than tech. If you’re going to browse stores in person, wear noise-canceling headphones. They create a personal bubble amid the frenzy and block out those relentless store announcements.
Remember, the key is to save money on Black Friday and to protect yourself against impulse buys and those post-holiday credit card statements. Don’t fall into the trap of using your credit card for everything when you have other payment methods, such as cash or a debit card.
Prioritize Free Shipping:
This can be tricky to manage. When stores are promoting heavily discounted items and deep discounts during peak sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, some companies reduce perks or eliminate services temporarily. This may mean they start charging for something they normally provide, like free shipping, gift-wrapping, or even price-matching to entice customers with attractive Black Friday sales deals and encourage impulse purchases. Remember, those little extra fees can add up if you are not mindful.
Check a store’s shipping policy *before* you add to your cart to see if free shipping is available and if so, at what purchase level that kicks in. You want to save money, right? A smart option is to choose a pickup location (if you’re shopping locally) to potentially avoid those pesky delivery fees. Remember those tips from financial experts.
FAQs about save money on Black Friday
Do you actually save money on Black Friday?
The answer? Sometimes. While there are deals to be had, they’re often not as deep as advertised. Plenty of those same items will see even lower prices throughout the year, or retailers will mark them down in December.
It depends on the item, so price tracking and using extensions that apply promo codes are musts. These browser extensions are usually free and easy to add. To get started, search for the browser extension you’re looking for and click download.
How much does the average person save on Black Friday?
This varies, as there is no guaranteed percentage saved. It can depend on shopping tactics, pre-planned purchases, items, and store promotions. In 2020, The National Retail Federation said the average person spent about $312.
But as reported by The Conversation, research suggests “the overwhelming majority of deals have been cheaper or the same price at other times of the year.” You’ve also got to factor in how much of your income is going toward your bills, like rent, utilities, transportation, etc., and be aware that those costs can increase unexpectedly, cutting into your potential Black Friday savings. Remember, Sam’s Club and other warehouse clubs often have the best deals on large-quantity items.
How to budget for Black Friday?
Start with how much you’re willing to spend overall. Factor in credit card limits if using them to prevent racking up debt, and leave wiggle room in your monthly budget so those purchases don’t mean going into January with no cash. This year will be different from 2020 when Thanksgiving Day fell on November 26th. Most consumers expect deals will vary even if they are offered by retailers on certain items. Once you know how much you can spend overall, decide per-person limits for gifts.
It’s not just about Black Friday; Cyber Monday offers opportunities to save, too. Consider the items you need versus simply want and make sure to prioritize those needs. There is a major difference between needing new men’s clothing for work versus wanting a new gaming console.
Are savings better on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?
Both have great deals but focus on different types of goods. Typically, Black Friday is better for appliances, furniture, electronics. This can be especially useful if you need larger appliances. However, there’s no guarantee you can score better savings, and you could find a comparable, heavily discounted appliance that fits your smaller space at another point in the year. Cyber Monday often offers better savings on fashion, beauty products, and smaller electronics. However, using email marketing can also boost sales.
Conclusion
Let’s be honest – we love a bargain. But don’t let the Black Friday craze trick you into overspending. This Black Friday, treat those marketing emails like the clever tactics they are, shop with intention, and save money on Black Friday – *without* ending up drowning in debt.
