How to save on Black Friday: A guide to scoring big on your Christmas shop

While in the US Black Friday has been a long enjoyed part of Thanksgiving, the shopping extravaganza is fairly new in Australia.

Black Friday falls on 26 November this year and it promises to be a massive one as more Aussie retailers are expected to join the sales event. Which means one thing for you … lots of savings!

So, whether Black Friday 2021 is your first or you’re a seasoned bargain-seeker, here’s how to be prepared for one of the biggest shopping days of the year.

1. Know what you’re looking for on Black Friday

Black Friday can be competitive, as people across the globe are all looking to jump on the same deals. 

Firstly, know which day Black Friday falls on. It’s always on the fourth Friday of November, but the date changes year to year. This year, it’s the 26 November 2021. 

On the actual day, you’ll want to avoid spending too much time browsing as items sell out quickly. Think about what you’re looking for in the days and weeks beforehand. 

Write a list and give yourself the freedom to shop around. Target the best deals on specific items or, to make the process simple, create wishlists on your favourite retailers’ site. Having a wishlist means you can quickly add your items to your cart and check out without wasting time searching for them. You’ll also avoid the temptation to impulse buy things you don’t need.

Don’t know what you’re looking for? Check out some of the hottest pre-Black Friday deals:

• Sephora: up to 50% off select makeup and beauty products

• Bose: Up to 40% off select refurbished items

• Emma Sleep: 50% off mattresses

• Dell: Up to 40% off select Dell products, including laptops and desktops

• Petbarn: 30% off select dog and cat foods

2. Set yourself a Black Friday shopping budget

Black Friday is a day dedicated to savings, so don’t use it as an excuse to blow your budget. Go into the sales knowing exactly how much you’re willing - and can afford - to spend.

Set yourself a spending limit so you have the freedom to buy the things you need at a discounted price, without the fear of going off the rails.

An additional tip: While Black Friday shopping, don’t purchase anything that is not on sale. If something you’ve had your eye on isn’t discounted, take the time to search for a better price elsewhere. If it’s full price at all retailers, then it’s very unlikely to sell out and you can account for that at a later date.

3. Set your Black Friday alarm and be ready for midnight

Most big Black Friday online sales start at midnight. So, if you’re looking to nab a particularly hot item from a popular brand, your chances of succeeding are much higher if you get in at the beginning.

Logging on to browse the sales on Friday afternoon will most likely leave you disappointed with all the good stuff sold out. So, grab yourself a coffee and get ready for some late-night bargain shopping.

An additional tip: If you’re looking to shop at your favourite international brands, make sure you account for the time difference. Most stores in the US and UK will not launch their Black Friday sales until early to mid-afternoon Friday Aussie time.

4. Make sure your NBN is reliable for high-speed Black Friday shopping

Black Friday is a very high traffic time for online shops. As it has grown globally, there are more and more people all wanting the best deals, putting stress on retail sites.

In the past, sites have crashed due to the extremely high number of customers during such a concentrated period. Site load speeds also sometimes slow way down and your shopping experience is brought to a snail’s pace.

To be really prepared for the ultimate Black Friday, get the best and fastest NBN you can. Especially if you have more than one avid shopper in your home, you’ll want to find the optimal NBN speed for your household.

5. Credit cards, debit cards, Buy Now PayLater: Be smart about Black Friday payment methods

Organise your selected method of payment well before jumping head-first into the frenzy of Black Friday.

Whether you’re using a credit card or utilising an interest-free buy now, pay later (BNPL) service, it’s essential to know the pros and pitfalls of your selected method.

Rewards Credit Cards

• If you know you’re going to purchase a lot, such as your entire Christmas list, take advantage of introductory bonus point offers with initial spend requirements.

• Earn member or airline points on your purchases, which you can bank for a future trip or more discounts down the line.

• Many premium cards offer non-points benefits, such as purchase protection and an extended warranty that could cover your Black Friday buys.

• If shopping online at international stores, be mindful of the card’s foreign exchange fee and the exchange rate as you’ll need to factor these into your final price.

• Remember: Rewards credit cards can often come with hefty annual fees and higher-than-average interest rates. Make sure whichever card you select suits your budget long term, beyond Black Friday.

Check out some top rewards credit cards below:

Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL)

• Sign up for a BNPL service in the days and weeks before Black Friday so you’re ready to jump right into shopping when the sales start.

• If you purchase your Black Friday loot with a BNPL service, you can have little to no upfront costs, and then pay back the balance in interest-free instalments.

• Remember: Stick to one service. While it might be tempting to sign up for a few different BNPL providers to access more Black Friday offers, this isn’t prudent. It can be too easy to lose track of how much you buy if you use multiple services.

• Remember: Although many BNPL platforms don’t charge interest, there are often late fees, and missing payments can impact your credit. You will have to repay the money you spend, so don’t spend more than you can afford

Want to find out more about Buy Now Pay Later options that are available in Australia right now? Jump over to our Buy Now Pay Later hub for more info!