How To Make the Most of Black Friday Sales

Make a wish list before the sales start

The golden rule of savvy sales shopping is going in with a clearly defined list before the flashy marketing, bright colors and big percentage markdowns get the better of you. Personally, I have a running wishlist going all year round that I add to when things catch my eye. Usually, I end up removing things later when I realize I don’t really want or need them, but some things do stick — and Black Friday is a great time to scoop up these hard hitters for a discount. Spend some time tightening up your list before the sales start, so you know what you’re shopping for. It helps you avoid getting lured in by big deals on things you don’t really want. 

Then, note down the current retail price of each item. Black Friday sales can be misleading. You might see products with enticing percentage discounts, when actually the original RRP has been inflated to make the sale look better. 

Set a price track alert

In the Google app, you can track your favorite products and get notified when the price drops. It’s a great way to make sure you don’t miss a good deal during strong sale periods.

List out your high-rotation purchases

Black Friday and Cyber Monday can be a great time to stock up your regular consumables like skincare. Make a note of anything you buy regularly, and look out for opportunities to save by stocking up. If you buy four cleansers per year at $30 each, you could stock up on a year’s supply when it’s 30% off and save yourself the cost of one whole bottle. Smart.

Plan ahead for gifts

Is there anything more annoying than remembering your brother’s birthday right after you just saw the sneakers he wants at 25% off? Nope. Make the most of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals by thinking ahead about upcoming gift-giving. Birthdays, housewarmings, newborns, weddings, anniversaries — not only does planning in advance make things simpler, but you can save some cash at the same time. 

Set aside your budget in advance

Allocate the funds from your budget in advance of Black Friday 2023 so you don’t blow your cash flow out of the water. If you think you might want to have a guilt-free browse and treat yourself, build in a buffer for that too! Remember, you can do whatever you want with your money — just make it intentional and accounted for.

Don’t forget to utilize your PocketSmith dashboard to keep on top of your Black Friday spending. Label your transactions so you can easily access them next year, or to help you reconcile the higher spending period in your budget.

Emma Edwards is a finance copywriter and blogger, on a mission to humanize the financial services industry by creating meaningful content that’s accessible and empowering. You’ll find her penning money tips at her blog, The Broke Generation, sharing financial insights on Instagram, or injecting life into content for her business clients.