Your Black Friday Financial Guide 

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Every product you can think of goes on sale for Black Friday. Be sure to check out this guide to ensure that the money you are spending is on truly good deals. Some big purchase items have bigger sales at other times of the year, meaning Black Friday is not the best time to purchase them. Check out this list of what to buy and what to skip this Black Friday to ensure you are getting the most for your dollar. 

What should you buy on Black Friday?  

Small home appliances and small kitchen gadgets 

On the market for a toaster, cookware, air fryer, blender, or instant pot? These, as well as other small kitchen gadgets, have fantastic Black Friday discounts. You can expect discounts of up to 65% on some items and brands.  

Electronics 

Crazy-low prices on electronics are a Black Friday a staple; as a matter of fact, Black Friday sales are heavily focused on electronics. In recent years, supersized TVs have been marked down several hundred dollars by retailers like Walmart and Amazon. Discounted Apple products are another Black Friday favorite, with shoppers waiting for Black Friday sales to buy their MacBooks, iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches and Apple TVs. Be sure to make sure that you are getting the brand and product you want as some retailers may be selling off-brand merchandise for lower prices to help clean up the shelves. 

Online doorbusters 

With many retailers now offering their Black Friday doorbusters online, there’s no longer a need to fight the crowds for these fantastic bargains. You can now shop at your leisure from the comfort of your home. The best items will still get grabbed quickly so be sure to move fast! Sometimes there are also online deals that you cannot find in stores; these exclusive offers are great discounts on staple items without the hassle of having to wait in long lines and busy crowds. 

Travel deals 

If you plan on travelling for the holidays, or for a mid-winter getaway, look for markdowns on Black Friday and Cyber Monday on airfare, hotel reservations and car rentals. Not only can you find cheap flights, but also look for sales of luggage, cameras, backpacks, and other travel essentials. Be sure to watch flight prices before and compare them to the deal you are getting and know that if you decide to cancel any reservations you make you can do it within 24 hours of when you purchased them.  

Video games 

If you’ve got a gamer on your holiday gift list, shop for discounted video games on Black Friday. You’ll find deals on the newest games at big-box stores and online at Playstation.com, Nintendo.com and Xbox.com. Even Walmart and other department stores will have sales on the games and the gaming consoles as well to help you get the games you want at the prices you want too!  

What should you skip on Black Friday? 

Large home appliances 

While you may find markdowns this Black Friday on large household appliances, like dishwashers and refrigerators, you’ll find even better during long holiday weekends, including Memorial Day, Labor Day, New Years, and President’s Day. Watch the price of the appliance you want throughout the year and be sure to compare with multiple retailers and be ready to buy when the best deal starts. 

Jewelry 

Prices on jewelry decrease in December, but even more in January and throughout the beginning of the year. In January and into February, Jewlers are selling of merchandise that wasn’t purchased over the holidays. In the spring months, they are selling more because it is the season of engagements. Therefore, if you’re not in any rush, you’re best-off waiting until July, when jewelry prices are at their lowest point of the year.  

Toys 

While you may be hesitant to wait, you’ll get better prices on toys and children’s games in the weeks leading up to Christmas. By then, the shopping season is already winding down and retailers are looking to clear out inventory that hasn’t sold yet. Buy toys last minute before Christmas, or in the weeks following Christmas when stores are getting rid of any excess inventory. 

Fitness equipment 

Push off buying exercise gear until after the holidays for a better deal. You’ll get even steeper discounts if you wait until February, when the post-holiday inspiration for getting into shape starts wearing off and people no longer want them and are busy with work and real life again. Start your new year’s resolution to lose weight and be healthy in February or mid-March to save on all the things you might need! 

Bedding 

Is your bedroom in need of a facelift? You’ll have to wait for January and its legendary “white sales” for the year’s steepest discounts on bedding and linens. 

Winter clothing 

For the real steals on winter apparel, you’ll have to wait until the calendar hits January. It might be even better to wait until it starts to warm up in your area, because then stores will start selling their excess winter clothes. While it may not make sense to buy clothes at the end of winter, and swimsuits at the end of summer, that is when you will find the best deals because the items are going out of season. 

Now that you are armed with all the information you need to save a lot, we wish you the best in your shopping and budget this year. While it may take time and effort to find good deals and wait for sales, it will help you to stay on budget and keep yourself financially secure. Happy holiday shopping!