Black Friday gets all the hype since it’s the biggest shopping holiday of the year. It’s perfectly timed at one month before Christmas so you can get a lot of your present shopping done around this time. It’s too easy to dive into Black Friday sales without thinking of what the best deals are in the long run. To get the most out of those savings, it’s worth taking the time to plan what you want to buy & what not to buy.
What Not to Buy On Black Friday
Many products advertised with amazing Black Friday discounts aren’t exactly the best to buy at this particular time of year. The reality is this: not everything must go. Sure, there are tons of sales going on, but sales happen all year long. Check out our list of what not to buy on Black Friday so you can plan ahead of time what to leave on the shelf.
Winter Coats & Clothing
Clothing sales are some of the most common to occur year-round. It can be tempting to buy that winter coat you’ve had your eye on when it’s on sale for Black Friday. You may have heard the best time to buy a new coat is the end of November. The reality is, seasonal clothing sales tend to be better once the end of the season is here.
Look for great deals on winter coats & other winter clothing gear during November. This is when those big, warm jackets jump from the main racks to the magical clearance racks. For all sorts of clothing, look for deals in January & February. This is when retailers are trying to clean out their seasonal wear for the next season’s fashion.
Smart Phones
You might be itching to grab the newest iPhone or Android model when it’s on sale for Black Friday. While you may be getting a big discount or a free $200 gift card from the store you buy the phone from, you’re not getting the best bang for your buck. Tech value drops immensely after being released for several months.
If your heart is set on a particular smartphone model, it’s best to wait at least 10 months after its initial release to start seeing a big enough price drop. Sure, it may not be the “newest” and trendiest model then, but if you care about saving your money, then it shouldn’t be a problem. Anyways, new smartphones are being released at a ridiculous rate these days! It’s worth sitting on a model for at least 2-3 years before switching to a new one.
Toys
Toys are a bit tough when it comes to Black Friday. Some people want to get all their toy shopping taken care of in one go, which is understandable. While there are some good discounts you can find in November, the discounts only get better as Christmas day gets closer.
If you’re looking to buy a specific toy that is all the rage at the time, then it might just be worth picking up on Black Friday. If you don’t have a chance to get that popular toy on Black Friday, then get it ASAP before stores run out. If a specific toy isn’t a priority, then just check back in stores a couple of weeks later to get better deals on gifts for kids.
Decorations
Unless you’re in dire need of holiday decorations, then skip out on the holiday decor deals being offered on Black Friday. The absolute best time to get amazing deals on holiday decor is after the holidays are over.
Laptops
For people who care about getting a high-end laptop, it’s important to know that Black Friday isn’t the best time of the year to buy one. Cheaper, more budget-friendly laptops enjoy great discounts at this time. However, the best time to invest in a high-quality laptop is during July & September.
To give you a better idea of what we mean by high-end laptop, think about what your requirements are. Do you need a laptop to play games such as League of Legends? Or are you looking to just browse the web & watch YouTube videos? Expensive laptops have processors capable of more intensive tasks & better graphics cards. So if you need a new laptop to game, then you’ll want to skip out on the Black Friday deals and wait for better savings.
Video Game Consoles & Games
The next generation of video game consoles for Xbox & PlayStation is predicted to be released in 2020. While there may be sick discounts on their older models, they’ll soon be left behind when their newer versions are available in the market. On the other hand, the deals you’ll find on these consoles might be the best yet. So if getting a classic Xbox One or a PlayStation 4 means a lot to you, and you don’t care for buying the new model when it’s released, then you shouldn’t miss out on the Black Friday discounts here.
Fitness Equipment
Fitness equipment is a popular purchase when it comes to taking advantage of the Black Friday discounts. Sure, the savings are pretty good, but the savings on fitness equipment are even better right after the New Year. Why is that? Stores are looking to cash out on one of the most common New Year’s resolutions: exercising more to lose weight & become healthier! Check out the prices on fitness equipment during January and February for the best deals.
What Should You Buy On Black Friday?
You know what you shouldn’t buy on Black Friday, but what should you pick up? Great items are smart tech accessories & home electronics. Look out for brand name TVs, Apple watches, & fitness trackers. If you come across a fantastic discount on a product, you’ve been wanting or needing, then go for it.
Sure, there are products you should skip out on when Black Friday comes around, but it doesn’t mean you can’t get a good bang for your buck! Black Friday is full of great deals, but don’t forget to save some money for Cyber Monday. You’ll be able to get some crazy deals on Amazon & other online stores!