5 Tips to Make the Most of Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales

Years ago Boxing Day and EOFYS were the best times to buy items to get discounts.

Not anymore. Black Friday and Cyber Monday often have even better discounts on a wide variety of items.

I plan any large expenses around these days and stock up on beauty products, gifts, everything.

You can save a significant amount of money on everything from tech to groceries if you plan your Black Friday and Cyber Monday well.

The sales typically go all weekend now, with some now doing massive month-long sales and a more exclusive discount for specific items on the actual days.

Of course there are a number of other sale days throughout the year so don’t stress too much.

Save, plan and be smart about Black Friday and you will come out ahead.

Here is how we make the most of Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

1. Know What You Want and Have a List

It’s easy to get distracted, spend more than you planned and buy things you don’t need during sales.

Especially when prices are slashed as low as they can be around Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

This is why you need to know what you want or need.

Create a list and do your research to find the best version of what you want so you know exactly what to look for in the sales.

When we go to a sale without knowing exactly what we want, impulse buying usually takes over.

More often than not you’ll come home with a new coffee maker or TV when what you needed was a bunch of Christmas presents.

2. Subscribe in Preparation

If you know what you want and where you are likely to get it, subscribe to be notified of the sale or specific discounts.

Many of the stores will even offer a Black Friday notification so you aren’t bombarded with other emails, just the Black Friday or Cyber Monday ones.

For example, I know there are specific beauty items, exercise equipment, travel expenses and a few other things on our list.

In preparation, we are subscribed to the stores we know will have sales and stock the items we want and have money set aside.

3. Coupon/Sale Stack

Make your money go further with sales, VIP sign-up bonuses and cashback programs.

I shared how to combine coupons and discounts to get bigger savings in this article.

You know the sales are happening so keep an eye on the times they are active and which ones have the best prices for what you want.

Check if they have a discount for new customers or any other bonuses available.

Use the cashback programs and their special offers to maximise things further.

This is called coupon stacking or sales stacking.

It is the best way to get the most from all the discounts and get what you need for less.

I have saved hundreds on higher-priced items and shops doing this (e.g. over $2,000 on a gaming laptop) but also save money every month doing it with my groceries.

Cashback programs will also notify you of the sales (along with other sales) plus instantly tell you how much cashback you can get so they are ideal to activate.

At times in the sales, I have saved 3/4 of the RRP and gotten cash back on top of the sale price.

Terms and conditions vary from store to store and it does take months to get the cashback but it is worth it.

Join all of them and compare the discounts offered so you always get the best deal. Activate or shop through the one that has the best offer for whatever you want.

Cashrewards

This is the one I have been using the longest and love the most.

CashRewards usually has the highest cashback offer, the payments are processed easily and customer service has been good.

Join CashRewards for free, activate it when you see the cashback offer and get a bonus $10 cash back with your first purchase over $20.

Shopback

Works the same as CashRewards. You can only activate and use one so I compare to see which one is offering me a better deal.

Join Shopback for free and get a bonus after your first purchase through them too.

Honey

Slightly different, Honey offers cash back but also scans for discounts and coupon codes.

I don’t use it as much as the others but sometimes it has a coupon I can add I didn’t know about.

As an extra bonus, sometimes I can copy the coupon from Honey then activate one of the other cashback programs and still use the coupon by pasting the code in at the checkout on the site. Join Honey for free here.

Swagbucks

Best known as an online survey site, they also have a cashback program with the cash being awarded in points you accrue and cash out. Join free here.

ReceiptJar

This is for after your purchase is final. Upload your receipt and get points. Once you reach 1,000 points you can get a gift card. Join free with the code KYLIT3QH2 and get a bonus 200 points when you upload your first receipt.

4. Set A Budget and Save

If you know what you want, set a budget for it with the aim of coming in under budget.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales happen every year so plan for them.

Start saving as soon as you know there are things you want to get.

The ideal option is to put aside a little each week because if you are relying on your tax return, you might not have as much as you want.

Please do not go into debt with AfterPay, ZipPay, ZipMoney, BeforePay or any of these payment options.

You’ll get trapped in a cycle, and feel overwhelmed and the Black Friday or Cycber Monday bargains will not be bargains.

As mentioned, we have a list of items planned and have been saving throughout the year.

We know where we are shopping, how much we will pay for things and when we will shop.

The money has been set aside for a while now, simply waiting for the sales.

5. Take a Controlled Friend

If you know you will blow your budget or buy things you do not need, take someone with you who is the anti-shopper.

In this case, I’d take Dad, my older sister or my eldest child because they all hate shopping.

All three are great at sticking to the plan, remembering everything, only getting what is needed/on the list and I enjoy spending time with them.

Sometimes we need a little help staying on track and that’s ok.

Recognising this about yourself and putting things in place to help prevent overspending is smart!

My eldest finds it quite amusing how much they remember and can redirect me as needed at times when shopping.

I know I am easily distracted (I have ADHD as does one of my kids and my eldest has autism) which is why I shop with a list.

Have systems in place to help you achieve the outcome you want.

Money Saving Items to Buy During Black Friday and Cyber Monday

What can you buy to help you save money throughout the year?

This depends on your personal circumstances, what you have or don’t have, the things that cost you more and where you are looking to save in your life.

We tend to buy things to take back to our family in Vanuatu, Christmas gifts and if there is specific tech e.g the aforementioned laptop, we look during the sales too.

Here are some of my top picks for items that will save you money and will likely be on sale during Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

Period Underwear and Swimmers

While they might cost more upfront than a pack of pads, they are more comfortable, last ages and will save money.

Everyone I know who has tried them can’t imagine going back to using pads and tampons. Check out Modibodi for a wide range.

Fishing Gear

We eat salmon, flathead and other fish regularly because we go fishing. It’s a fun activity, great life skill and so much cheaper than buying seafood.

It doesn’t need to cost a lot to get yourself set up with fishing gear either. You can get starter kits then it is simply a matter of getting bait and knowing when to go.

Manchester

Cotton and bamboo sheets will keep you cool in summer while flannelette keeps you warm in winter.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales are a great time to get these items which will save you money long-term.

Large Appliances

If you need to replace any large appliances from fridges to TVs, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the ideal times to do it.

With some research, if you know what you want to buy, you can grab a bargain.

A few online places you can get amazing discounts on these items are Bargain Avenue and CrazySales. If you are in need of a mattress, Newentor is a comfortable and affordable option.

Furniture

Whether it’s a new lounge or bedroom furniture, there are some great bargains around.

I check Facebook Marketplace but sometimes you want knew so Amart and Fantastic Furniture as they are both budget-friendly and have good sales.

Clothing

My kids love an op shopping trip so we don’t often shop for clothing during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales.

However, if you are shopping for clothing there can be some great deals this time of year on particular brands and regular family clothing.

Best&Less has some great options that are affordable and comfortable with great discounts.

If you need new activewear, my preferred brands are Ryderwear. and Emamaco both of which have great options for all sizes and stages of life.

Other

Check out these 11 things that will make your home more eco-friendly and these 7 must-have kitchen items that save me money.

What are we Buying in the Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales?

Our plan for the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales this year is to get some Christmas gifts, book some travel and experiences plus get a few things for family back in Vanuatu.

A few items my teens want for Christmas will be cheaper during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

Predominantly books, beauty products and flags that represent their cultures.

We are going to Tonga and Vanuatu next year plus have a few trips for wrestling, robotics and other activities my kids are involved in.

During the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, I can get these at a discount and the cash back offers are often upsized too.