Are you looking for top tips to stop you overspending on Black Friday?
It is just SO tempting isn’t it, you have Christmas gifts to buy and suddenly there are price reductions literally everywhere. It would be so easy to go totally over the top with your spending on Black Friday and who could blame you – everyone loves a bargain! But oh, it can get out of hand. Let’s take a look at what Black Friday is, the benefits of it and how you can enjoy it WITHOUT overspending.
What is Black Friday
Black Friday is a huge shopping event held annually on the day after Thanksgiving which is always the fourth Thursday in November.
Black Friday heralds the start of festive shopping and is increasingly famous for offering amazing deals, and discounts across a wide variety of products.
“Black Friday” was a term coined in the 1950s by police in Philadelphia. They used it to describe the chaotic day after Thanksgiving when shoppers flooded the city, causing massive traffic jams. Over time retailers started to use the term it to indicate going “into the black” ( becoming profitable) due to a huge increase in sales on that day. . Since then, it has become a hallmark of American retail, with both brick-and-mortar and online stores offering substantial discounts.
Now many countries adopt this tradition. Black Friday sales often start early (some stores even start on Thanksgiving evening) and continue through the weekend into Cyber Monday, another major shopping largely focussed on online deals.
The main benefits of Black Friday
It is a no-brainer that Black Friday can save you money on purchases you would have bought anyway but there are other benefits too:
- Bargains are everywhere on Black Friday and this will certainly help save you money and in some cases a great deal of money! That is always a huge plus.
- Exclusive deals and limited edition products do pop on up on Black Friday too and there is a chance to get something really special.
- It is a great time to kickstart festive shopping saving you from leaving it to the last minute and helping you get organised for the impending festive season.
- Many retailers relax their return policies during the holiday season, making it easier to return or exchange Black Friday purchases. Some also offer price matching, ensuring shoppers get the best deal even if prices drop further shortly after.
- Black Friday makes it easy to compare prices across multiple stores, especially with websites and apps that aggregate deals.
The risks of overspending on Black Friday
There is a huge risk of overspending on Black Friday adverts for great deals will bombard you on TV instore and all over your social media. It can be very easy to buy something you had no intention of ever getting in the first place which is never a great money saving idea no matter how cheap the item may be.
You might also be tempted to buy more than you intended for example you get your perfume £20 less than normal so you buy 2! Otr you go spend that extra £20 on something else you don’t need. This way you haven’t actually saved any more at all!
Landfill and over production are huge problems in our world and mass consumerism is something we really need to address, don’t be enticed to over-buy for either your pocket or your carbon footprint!
Tips To Stop You Overspending on Black Friday
Here are my 10 top tips to stop you overspending on Black Friday – are you ready
- Make a list: Write down what you need to buy and stick to it. This will help you focus your shopping and stay on track.
- Set a budget: Decide how much you can afford to spend and stick to it. Simple and hugely satisfying
- Do your research: Compare prices online and in stores to find the best deals. Set some time aside for this and don’t just rush purchases.
- Use coupons and promo codes: There are many websites and apps that offer coupons and promo codes for Black Friday deals.
- Shop online: Many retailers offer great deals online on Black Friday and offer free postage. too
- Be patient: Don’t rush to buy something just because it’s on sale. Take your time and make sure you’re getting a good deal, think about it and reflect on budget and need.
- Check prices on items now to make sure you are getting a genuine deal on the day rather than prices being inflated just before.
- Make list of needs not wants.
- Do make sure you take a good look at shipping costs
- Use apps or browser extensions that notify you of price drops on specific items
Black Friday PCs can be a great purchase IF you are already intending to buy one already. be intentional and mindful in your purchase and try not to get swayed by big discounts if you want Black Friday to work for you.
