A typical morning after Black Friday: the budget is ruined, random deliveries keep showing up at your door, and you’re left wondering what happened yesterday. Brands know exactly how to play on customers’ desire to save money and often trick us into spending more than planned. But we’re not falling for it — read this article and discover five tips to make your shopping worth it.
Keep track of prices
Prepare a shopping list
Send money back home
Don’t follow trends
Don’t shop hungry, tired, or stressed
FAQ
Keep track of prices
Many companies set fake discounts on Black Friday: they raise prices beforehand and then put goods on ‘sale’ at the original cost. Brands rely on the psychology of urgency, hoping that a slashed price tag will push you into buying instantly out of fear of missing out, and they’re painfully right.
To avoid being fooled, record the price a month, two weeks, and one week before Black Friday. Then compare and spot the fake offers.
Learn more: How to manage your budget.
Prepare a shopping list
Many people overestimate their ability to shop rationally. Let’s be real: We have all bought things on impulse that were never used, forgotten, or even thrown away. That’s why staying in control is crucial, especially on Black Friday, when brands target both your conscious and unconscious mind.
The first step is making a list of things you truly need. Follow these rules when creating one:
- Only the essentials. Start with products you’ll certainly need within the year. For example, a new laptop if you work remotely and your current one is on its last legs.
- Gifts. Collecting presents in advance is smart, but only if you’re 100% sure about the recipient and their preferences. Don’t buy gifts ‘just in case.’
- Something for yourself. Little treats are fine — maybe a pair of shoes you’ve had your eye on. Don’t go overboard with 10 pairs, dozens of blind boxes, or yet another mug that won’t fit in your cupboard.
Defining what you truly need isn’t easy, but it can work wonders for your financial stability. Take the time to prepare your list.
Tips: Boost your budget planning with these AI prompts
Send money back home
Are you an expat in Europe or the UK? Then don’t forget about relatives back home who can also benefit from Black Friday sales. Their well-being is your well-being, so help them financially — make a shopping list together (here we go again) and send them funds. To transfer money abroad quickly and easily, use Profee. This service:
- is officially licensed,
- protects your data and monitors fraud,
- has unmatched exchange rates and little to no fees,
- sends to over 90 destinations,
- is honest and transparent — no fake sales or hidden fees, everything will be displayed to you in advance.
Use Profee and help your loved ones catch the best Black Friday deals.
Bonus: Saving money as an expat
Don’t follow trends
When deciding what to buy, imagine you’re the only person on Earth: no trends, recommendations, or celebrities. Just you and your needs. If you find yourself thinking, ‘Yes, I need that overpriced accessory,’ be honest about where it will be in five years. Avoid purchases that will only clutter your space instead of improving your life.
Good to know: Creating an emergency fund: Strategies for expats in Europe
Don’t shop hungry, tired, or stressed
One of the worst decisions you can make is to shop without eating or resting first. When you’re stressed, you overspend. When you’re hungry, you buy more. Care for your mental state and give your brain the opportunity to think rationally.
FAQ
What do people buy most on Black Friday?
Electronics, beauty products, and clothes are usually the top picks.
Should I buy products before Black Friday?
Some shops and retailers offer early sales. Start monitoring around a week before Black Friday for special deals.
Why is Black Friday called Black Friday?
The phrase Black Friday has two backgrounds.
- The negative one: Police officers in Philadelphia first used the term in the 1960s to describe the chaos after Thanksgiving. It was so bad that the officers called the day ‘Black Friday’.
- The positive one: Retailers explained it as the day stores finally went ‘into the black’ — meaning they turned a profit (in accounting, losses are written in red ink, profits in black ink).
Is Black Friday a US-only thing?
No. Thanks to globalisation, many countries have adopted the tradition.
Do you really save money on Black Friday?
If you shop smartly and put emotions aside, you can save quite a lot of money on Black Friday. Set budget limits, prepare shopping lists and be rational about your needs.
