While discounts and deals abound from late November to December, there are two shopping holidays that are celebrated for offering the most spectacular savings of the whole season— Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
“These holidays have grown from single days into entire mini gift-buying seasons with new deals released every day”
But though you’ll be able to find plenty of deals during both Black Friday and Cyber Monday seasons, there are some key differences between these two holidays you should know before kicking off your shopping journey
Black Friday distinguishes itself from Cyber Monday with a stronger focus on flash sales, door busters, and individual product deals. Black Friday is when you’re going to find the best product- and brand-specific deals.
Time Frame: At many stores and online retailers, sales will begin on the Monday or Wednesday before Black Friday and may continue for as long as a week.
Black Friday Products
This year, our experts predict some of the top deals will be found on:
-Electronics
-Large appliances
-Movies, music, and books
-Visit our guide on what to buy on Black Friday for a full list of top product predictions.
Black Friday Tips
Here are some important tips to keep in mind as Black Friday season approaches.
- Make a plan once you have your gift list, determine the retailers with the best prices on your target purchases. You can review Black Friday ads to learn about the different types of deals and compare prices on hot products from different stores. Keep a close eye on our Black Friday blog to catch predictions on the year’s best sales, expert tips, and breaking news.
- Do your research. While you can find plenty of great deals on quality products on Black Friday, don’t pounce on a find just because of its ultralow price. As with any major purchase, it’s important to research product information and customer reviews to ensure you are investing in a quality and reliable item.
- Stay within budget. Surrounded by advertisements and sale signs, you may be seduced into overspending. To thwart temptation, arm yourself with a shopping list and corresponding budget. Stick firmly to your list, no matter how irresistible a deal or flashy a product may seem.
- Stay home. This year, skip the stress, lines, and hassle entirely by doing your Black Friday shopping online. With a few exceptions, the deals you see online will typically be identical to the deals you’d find in store and many retailers have increasingly begun to offer exclusive deals that you can only find online.
- When shopping online, you are also in a unique position to take advantage of online coupon codes to save even more on your purchase.
