As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, the buzz surrounding Black Friday intensifies. Unfortunately, the excitement of potential savings can often cloud our judgment, making it crucial to approach the shopping frenzy with a clear strategy—that’s where we come in. Deciding what to buy and what to skip on Black Friday requires some consideration of your individual needs, preferences, and budget.
With a week to go, we’re diving into the world of Black Friday shopping with insights on what’s worth splurging on and what you might want to think twice about. From the latest tech gadgets to some items that you may be better off buying after the holidays altogether. But, as always, we’ve got you covered.
What to Buy:
Tech, Tech, Tech!: In general, buying technology on Black Friday is a safe bet for getting a deal. However, be sure you’re looking at the newest models. Even if you find a sale on an older version, it might not be worth missing out on new features and improvements, not to mention quality.
TVs: Black Friday will always be the day for TV deals, and this year is no exception. Check out DigitalTrend’s list of the best sales on TVs this Black Friday.
Appliances (Big and Small): Looking for an air fryer or maybe a new fridge? Luckily, there are deals for both and everything in between. Forbes lays out this year’s biggest appliance sales for anyone in need of some new gadgets around the house.
Computers: If you’ve been looking to upgrade your laptop, this may be the time to jump on it! You’ll find plenty of deals on PCs and Macbooks no matter what kind of computer you need.
Gaming Consoles: Another great deal that still goes strong is gaming consoles. Lucky for you or the gamer in your life, there are plenty of deals on consoles, games, and accessories.
Bonus! Amazon: Here’s a live look at Amazon’s best Black Friday deals for the year. Full of tech, appliances, and some fun gifting items. Perfect for an online shopper looking to stay in next week!
What to Skip:
Impulse Buys: Anything that means you’re compromising because “it’s a deal” is a no-go. This, of course, is the trap of Black Friday and the biggest piece of advice we have. Holiday shopping should always focus on quality over quantity. So remember, just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean you have to buy it now. There will always be more sales!
Furniture: The best furniture sales will happen on or around federal holidays (Labor Day, Memorial Day, etc.) and not on Black Friday. This is also one category where it’s not always worth it to find a “deal”. You want your items to last you a long time and look good with your current home decor so buying something simply because it’s on sale is probably not be the best option.
Toys: This may be a surprise, but more toy sales will come up in December/closer to Christmas than in November. If you’re able to hold out to do you’re toy shopping later, that’s what we recommend. However, if you find a deal on an item you can’t pass up or know it’ll be hard to find the later you wait, go for it!
Fitness equipment: Hold out on this one! The best sales will pop up in January when companies expect the most people will be making resolutions towards fitness and personal health.
Holiday/Seasonal Decor: Because the Holidays are still ahead of us, sales right now will be minimal. If you can, wait until Christmas is over to jump on decorations for next year.
So before making any purchases: do your research, compare prices, and read reviews. The most important thing to remember is not to buy unless it is something you’ve already been eyeing for a while. Black Friday sales can be very tempting when it comes to impulse spending, but remember to spend wisely and only buy what’s on your list. After all, this season isn’t about the things we buy for one another. It’s about the moments we share and the memories we create.
Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!
