Saving up your dollars to get the best deals during Black Friday?
It’s no secret that the Black Friday period is one of – if not the – best periods to shop and save. But with awesome deals comes a whole bunch of not-so-good deals. Products marked on sale when they’re not even discounted, impulse buys, and missed deals – these are all pitfalls to look out for.
Today, we’re breaking down exactly how to save during the Black Friday period (hint: early prep is the key). So you can land the best Black Friday deals – and forget the rest.
Get the Dates Right
You already know that Black Friday lands on the last Friday of every November – this year, that’s 26 November 2021.
But that’s definitely not the only day you can save. If past years are anything to go by, expect some big steals on Cyber Weekend (27-28 November) and Cyber Monday (29 November) too. Generally, some sales will begin at the start of the month, and they’ll really start to pick up, in terms of savings and the number of products on sale, in the week before Black Friday. After Cyber Monday, the sales tend to peter off, before picking back up again with Christmas promotions.
Make a List & Start Early
Here’s a shocker: Which? found that 85% of Black Friday deals have been listed at the same or lower price within the last 6 months.
In fact, stores across the country are known to up their prices in October, so they can discount them in November, without any effect on their margin. Therefore, it’s good to think about your Black Friday shopping early – and if you see a bargain now, it’s worth buying. Don’t assume it will be cheaper during Black Friday.
To make the most of the Black Friday sales period, make a list of everything you want to buy and their prices as early as possible. During the sales, compare the discounted price you see with the regular retail price you noted down earlier. This will ensure you never get caught out with marketing tricks.
Use a Credit Card
If you’ve already started saving and have a budget set aside for Black Friday shopping, consider using a cashback credit card. Spend on your credit card, and, depending on the specific bank you choose, you can get cashback from 1-5%. This can easily stack up and save you hundreds every year.
However, it’s important to make sure you have enough to pay off the full balance – otherwise your interest will completely negate your rewards.
Stack Up Loyalty Points
Given that Black Friday’s the best time to save year-round, it’s worth making sure you have your loyalty programs in order. It’s a great chance to stack up those loyalty points, while still saving on your order. To get the lowdown on each store’s loyalty scheme, and see points converted to dollars, find the store on Ruby.
A lot of stores also offer extra perks around Black Friday if you’re on their loyalty program. Extras include free delivery, special sales and points boosts. If there are stores you’re likely to buy from during Black Friday, then sign up for the loyalty programs now to hear about all those perks.
Download Ruby
With an average discount of 30%, according to Adobe, and millions of products on offer, you want to take full advantage of Black Friday. The secret weapon for saving? It’s Ruby.
Ruby pulls together every loyalty reward, discount code and sale, allowing you to compare different offers and find the best price. Search for specific items or offers, or browse one store’s full coupon code list.
Ruby also provides you a list of personalized coupons, with AI that learns your shopping behavior. The best part? Once you find your perfect deal, you can shop and checkout like normal, right in the app!
