5 common Black Friday mistakes to avoid

5 common Black Friday mistakes to avoid

Many people find the holiday shopping season overwhelming. Often it feels easy to be swooned in excitement, which may bring regrets later. At this time, every retailer offers excellent deals and discounts. Consequently, it gets hard for the shoppers to stick to the budget or resist splurging. Sometimes, they might also get duped by choosing fake deals. Knowledge is power. So, if you plan to shop big during the mega Black Friday sale, here are some mistakes you must avoid.

Failing to set a budget
Budgeting is essential to keep a tab on every dollar spent. The same applies to holiday spending too. Despite that, thirty-three percent of citizens do not believe in creating a holiday budget. It can be one of the costliest mistakes a consumer can make while shopping during a sale. Even though it is a daunting task, allocating a holiday budget is pretty straightforward. You only need to figure out the amount you will have available for the purchases. So, write down everything you need to buy and what it will cost you, and match it with the amount you can spare. Across the task, ensure that the numbers align perfectly. In case they do not, rethink what you are buying. You can postpone some of your expenses to avoid racking up unnecessary debt.

Buying things you do not need
The latest kitchen appliance may not be a good deal if you did not need it in the first place. The same holds for every other unnecessary item you may buy in the name of the sale. Low prices may often nudge you into impulse shopping. However, buying something you do not need because it is relatively better than what you use currently or because you are getting a good deal on it is only a waste of money.

Not checking/comparing the prices
Because a retailer claims to offer the “best” deal that does not mean it is a good deal. So, before you decide on spending your hard-earned money on something costly, please do a thorough research, and find out what the regular price of the item on sale is. Further, go ahead and check the offers by various retailers. It will help you compare and see which one is indeed offering the best value for money deal.

Not tracking your expenses
Another common mistake people make when shopping during big sales like Black Friday is that they prepare a budget but do not keep a tab on the amount they have paid. Naturally, if you do not maintain an account of the amount spent, how will you know if you have followed the budget? You do not need a fancy tracking system. Take a piece of paper, and note down the amount spent and what you bought. You can stick the receipts to help you quickly do the math.

Not shopping with cash
It is easy to overspend on the Black Friday sale, especially if you cannot physically see the money vanishing from your pocket. So, it may seem inconvenient, but always head to the ATM before traveling to the stores and buy only with cash. It can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run. When you withdraw from the ATM, you know you have a limited amount in your pocket. So, you squeeze all your expenses into it instead of buying every deal you find. But what to do when shopping online? If you know you have no self-control, consider purchasing a gift card and using it as the only payment mode during the shopping season.

If you are not careful, this shopping season can cost you more money than necessary. Some people even land in debt because of these lucrative deals. So, avoid these shopping mistakes, and you can keep the financial stress at bay.

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5 early bird Cyber Monday Deals that are too good to miss

With Cyber Monday sales knocking at the door, deal hunters will be excited about mind-blowing deals and offers. This year, the prime day will likely fall on November 28, the Monday following the weekend after Black Friday. However, instead of waiting for the official date, start preparing now, as the deals will likely flood any day. To let you have an idea in advance, here are some incredible deals you should know.Tips to grab the best Cyber Monday deals in 2022This year, the Cyber Monday sales are likely to bring a lot many options. Since shopping impulsively may lead to failed bargains and overspending, approaching the big day without a full-proof plan won't be a good idea. Here are a few tips that will help customers grab the right deal at the right time:Make sure to check-in earlyMost of the exciting Cyber Monday deals are laid out for a limited time. Consequently, competing with a big crowd of people for the same item is not surprising. It is essential to remain signed in with all the critical payment methods to grab the right offer. Be alert from the weekend itself as many offers are extended to continue the Black Friday sales.Be clear about what to expect from the saleDuring Cyber Monday, markets are overloaded with multiple items offered for lofty discounts. Consequently, it may become overwhelming for the customers to decide which bargains are worth it and which are not. Therefore, make a list of requirements and expectations for the upcoming Cyber Monday sales.Be open to alternativesHaving clarity about one's needs and expectations is fine. However, the customers must venture into Cyber Monday shopping with an open mind to get the right deal. Rigidity won't help as the best available deals may not always match customers’ expectations. Therefore, it is better to adopt a brand-agnostic approach and obtain the benefits of the best available deals.Top early bird Cyber Monday deals in 2022Here are the five best early bird Cyber Monday deals one can grab right now:Rugs, decor, mattresses, and furnitureItems like décor, carpets, furniture, and mattresses are tailor-made for holiday shopping as they are always available with no supply chain issues. Consequently, their prices aren’t sky high, and during Cyber Monday sales, they are available for up to 50 percent off.Health and wellnessIn November, the health industry clears off as much inventory as possible to make room for newer stocks by the New Year. Therefore, make sure to avail of the benefits before the price rise by January 1. Sporting goodsCyber Monday sales are the perfect time for customers with an active lifestyle to avail of lucrative discounts on almost everything, from ski equipment to bikes. Despite being ideal holiday gifts, winter is not the time when people like to go out due to icy weather conditions. This makes the price drop so apparent.Technology and electronicsLife-simplifying tech items are one of the principal stalwarts of Cyber Monday sales. With discount offers of up to 70 percent off besides free service agreements, accessories, and warranties on preferred items, customers cannot help but shop as much as possible. Be sure of purchasing new headphones and earbuds as they are the cheapest this Cyber Monday.Skincare, beauty, and makeupThe beauty industry is one of the most generous sectors during Cyber Monday, with discount deals of up to 90 percent. Besides, expect bundle deals and gifts with every purchase.Conclusion:This Cyber Monday will bring more exciting offers than the ones mentioned above as the ones mentioned are just a drop in the bucket. For more deals, it is essential to research the preferred items. Sign in early, collect promo codes and gift cards, and do not forget to make a price comparison to fetch the best bargains.

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10 hacks to make the most of Black Friday

With the most anticipated shopping season just a few weeks away, the excitement of ardent shoppers is bound to reach its peak. However, high lofty discount offers also bring cut-throat competition among retailers to make the most sales and for customers to nab the best bargains. Here are the top ten hacks one must follow this Black Friday to avoid wasting time and energy wrestling with crowds and make the most of the sale.Do sufficient research Work smart instead of hard to avail yourself of the best shopping offers. Since it is impossible to simultaneously be present at five locations, prioritizing according to one's immediate needs is the only solution. Go through different retailers' catalogs and compare to select the best available deal so that the customers can be present at the right place at the right time.Monitor the prices of selected itemsAccording to various survey reports, 75 percent of the shoppers track the prices of their preferred items, which is good, specifically during Black Friday sales. This helps compare the deals and prices offered by different retailers.Generate a shopping listGenerating a well-thought-out shopping plan is a must when approaching Black Friday sales. Otherwise, it will lead to the purchase of unnecessary items and excessive spending. For need-focused shopping and wise spending, it is essential to analyze and make a list of required items for the home, gifts, and personal use.Skim through social media These days, there are hardly any retailers who are not on social media platforms. In fact, social media has become one of the powerful mediums to connect with customers. So, make sure to stay in contact with the preferred retailers by subscribing to their pages for necessary deal updates and promo codes.Go to bed earlyBlack Friday sales are supposed to be exciting and not exhausting. So, have an early night to wake up fresh and energetic in the morning and run to the stores with the best discount deals.Choose familiar brands and retailersBlack Friday sales are the best opportunity for crooks to lay out their devious plans to rob innocent customers. So, approach only familiar brands and retailers notable for reliability and customer-intuitive response. Such retailers will have all the facilities to satisfy customer demands, including IT and back-office systems, stock, and consumer protection.Get in touch with local retailersBlack Friday sales are specifically appealing because of the price drops offered by notable retailers and brands. However, diversification of shopping locations is also necessary to grab the best deals. Contact local stores before Black Friday to know and compare their offers with big retailers. Consequently, the local stores will receive the necessary support to survive the tough competition, and customers will achieve the best offers.Carry a few snacksBlack Friday sales are noted explicitly for long queues. So, carry some peanuts and popcorn to keep up the energy for extended periods.Prepare and stick to a budget planSpending beyond purchasing power is never a good idea, as frequent use of credit cards tends to lower the credit score, ultimately falling into bad debt. So, generate a proper budget plan and stick to it to avoid overspending.Avoid falling victim to cyber crimesBlack Friday is the time when scammers ardently wait to rob innocent shoppers. So, beware and head to only legitimate sites, having a padlock sign before the URL. Also, ensure to keep all personal financial information hidden. Besides that, go through customer reviews and avoid exposing personal financial information.The hacks mentioned above will help the customers to be ready and composed for the year's shopping extravaganza. Consequently, they will be able to shop more and save big this holiday season, with ample time and energy left to spend quality time with their friends and family.

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