Five ways to shop smarter this Black Friday

Black Friday (November 29) is just around the corner, and with it comes a flurry of ads convincing us we’d be fools to miss out on the deals on offer. Some consider it the best time to get a Christmas-shopping bargain, and it can be – but sometimes it’s tempting to use it as an excuse to spend money we don’t have or would be better off saving. Here are five ways to stay in the black this Black Friday.

1. Shop with a hit list

Preparation and focus are key, says Sorted user Amy. “Having lists written and taking advantage of the deals is a great way to save money. Plus, it makes me feel super organised, and I know future me will be so grateful when there are no mad dashes to the mall required in late December.”

If it’s a Christmas list you’re working on and you’re not sure where to start, here are some ways you can get more bang for your buck.

2. Ask yourself if you’d still want it if it wasn’t on sale

Deals like 'buy one, get the second half price’ can make it look as if we’re saving money when, in fact, we’ll end up out of pocket since we didn’t need the item in the first place. Combat this in the Black Friday sales by doing the maths and only buying things that will genuinely benefit both you and your bank account.

3. Do your research

Google the products you’re considering to check prices across different shops and visit sites like pricespy.co.nz that bring together prices from multiple retailers for easy comparison. You can also look at the price history of a product, which shows how the pricing has tracked over time and whether you really are getting a special deal.

Most Black Friday sales are also online, so why not jump onto your laptop instead of going to the mall? It’s easier to compare deals and you’ll avoid the crowds. To make online shopping safer, make sure you use a trusted wifi connection, only buy from websites starting with https://, do some research on a company if you’ve never bought from it before, and check out Netsafe’s helpful information.

4. Think carefully before using buy now, pay later

It can be tempting to use a buy now, pay later loan if you don’t have the funds in your account to purchase what you want in a Black Friday sale, but when you use products like Afterpay or Zip, you’re essentially spending tomorrow’s money today. Have a plan to pay it back on time or you’ll be charged fees, possibly undoing any savings you made on the purchase or paying more in the long run.

5. Understand the Ts and Cs

Many retailers have a ‘no returns’ policy on sale items, a lesson Sam learned the hard way when the clothes she bought online didn’t fit. “I’ve been burnt by Black Friday,” she says. “I've learnt to read the fine print now before making any purchases around this particular time."

Ultimately, the key to successful shopping is getting smart. Before you pay, take five minutes to run through the steps we’ve covered here – or perhaps a night to sleep on a decision – and you’ll feel more confident that you’re genuinely winning this Black Friday.