If you want to save on Black Friday, there are two key questions to ask yourself: “Would I have bought this if it wasn’t on sale?” and “Is this a genuine bargain?”.
Answering these will help to work out if you really need something (or if you’re just being distracted by shouty sales adverts) and if the price is fair. In this blog we’ll also discuss how your Black Friday planning should start well ahead of the big day if you want to spend smartly, and we’ll list some pitfalls to avoid.
The importance of planning ahead for Black Friday
Make a list of things you actually need
Creating a list of items you genuinely need or want will help you stay focused and stop you getting distracted by flashy deals on things you don't need. On the day and in the run-up, you’ll be bombarded with messages that employ psychological triggers such as scarcity (with limited time offers) to missing out (showing glowing social media reviews), but having a list will help you shut out the noise.
Use price comparison websites and apps
Price comparison websites like Google Shopping, PriceGrabber, or CamelCamelCamel can help compare prices across different retailers. These sites let you see current prices and historical data, helping you identify genuine discounts. Some even provide alerts when prices drop, ensuring you don’t miss a good deal.
Track prices
Many retailers inflate prices just before Black Friday to make discounts seem more significant. If you start looking at prices at least a month before Black Friday, you’ll be able to spot these traps. The browser extension Keepa can also help with all Amazon shopping, giving you a price history graph when you’re on any Amazon product page.
Sign up for insider deals
Sign up for newsletters from your favourite retailers to get early access to sales and exclusive discounts. Many stores tease their Black Friday deals weeks in advance, allowing you to compare prices and identify the best deals.
Setting a realistic budget and sticking to it
1. Assess your finances: Begin by reviewing your current financial situation. Take stock of your income, monthly expenses, and savings. This will give you a clear picture of how much you can realistically allocate for Black Friday shopping.
2. Create a priority list. If you planned in advance, you’ll have worked out a list of what you want and started to track prices. Prioritise the items based on necessity and desire - it’ll help you focus on what’s truly important and avoid getting sidetracked by enticing deals that don’t align with your needs.
3. Consider a prepaid card for online shopping - or cash instore: To really make sure you stick to a budget, you could use a prepaid debit card like HyperJar for online shopping. Prepaid cards let you spend only what you’ve got because you can’t go into overdraft or get into any other kind of debt when you use them. Bear in mind you won’t get ‘Section 75’ protection offered by a credit card if this is important to you, but you will get the same level of protection offered by a typical bank debit card payment. If you’re shopping in store, you could use good old fashioned cash and adopt the ‘WIGIG’ approach: take out only the amount you want to spend and then When It’s Gone It’s Gone!
How to use HyperJar for cashback bargains and deal stacking
Using HyperJar Cashback Vouchers and offers can significantly enhance your Black Friday savings. Once you’ve made your wish list, open the HyperJar app for any relevant Cashback Vouchers or offers. This will give you opportunities to stack HyperJar Cashback Vouchers with Black Friday discounts. For example, if a retailer is offering a 25% discount on an item and you can also earn 5% cashback through HyperJar, you’ll effectively be saving 30% on that item. Cashback is typically offered in the form of money you can spend anywhere, or money that’s committed to the brand for a future spend. Either way, you’ll be getting more for your money.
How to use HyperJar throughout the year to budget for Black Friday
HyperJar is a great tool to budget for Black Friday, helping you organise and plan your spending in advance. Here’s how to make the most of it:
- Set up a Standing Order: When you make your first transfer from your bank to top up your HyperJar account, this then links your bank to HyperJar. If you’d like to make regular payments, say each payday, you can create a Standing Order instruction from your bank to HyperJar, using your HyperJar sort code and account number (found on the Profile tab). These payments will land in the ‘Wallet’ box on the Home screen.
- Create a Black Friday Jar: In HyperJar, you can create dedicated “jars” for different goals. Create a jar specifically for Black Friday shopping. Name it "Black Friday Deals" or something similar to stay focused. You can also share this jar with family or friends if you’re planning to pool resources for joint purchases.
- Break down your Black Friday budget: Based on your Black Friday budget, break down the total amount into manageable portions. For example, if you plan to spend £500 on Black Friday and there are three months to go, schedule £40-50 weekly auto-transfers to your jar. By the time Black Friday arrives, your jar will be fully funded, allowing you to shop stress-free and stick to your budget.
Tips for smart spending on Black Friday
Smart spending on Black Friday can be difficult with everyone trying to persuade you to “buy, buy, buy!”. Here are our top three tips to spend smart and save:
Check the Fine Print
Not all sales are as straightforward as they seem. Look for conditions like “up to” discounts, limited stock, or product exclusions. Also, be aware of return policies, restocking fees, and shipping costs that could negate your savings.
Compare Retailers
Don’t settle for the first discount you see. Compare prices across different stores, both online and in-store. Some may offer additional perks like free shipping, loyalty points, or extended warranties.
Avoid Rush Purchases
Flash sales create urgency, but don’t rush. Take your time to evaluate if the deal is genuinely worth it.
Avoiding common pitfalls during Black Friday sales
Black Friday can lead to unnecessary spending and buyer's remorse if you're not careful. Here are our top three tips to avoid common pitfalls and make smarter decisions:
Avoid impulse buys
Retailers design Black Friday to tempt shoppers with flash deals and limited-time offers. Stick to your shopping list to avoid buying items you don’t need. If something looks like a great deal but isn’t on your list, take time to assess if it's worth it.
Don’t fall for “discount traps”
Many items are marketed with massive discounts, but the original price may have been inflated. Use price-tracking tools or check the price history of items to ensure the discount is real.
Beware of Low-Quality Items
Sometimes retailers use Black Friday to clear out old stock or lower-quality models. Check product reviews and specs carefully, especially for electronics, to avoid buying subpar items.
If you want to save money on other life expenses, check out these blog posts:
How to save money on a family holiday
How to reduce the cost of cat or dog ownership
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