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Black Friday on a Budget: Expert Tips to Maximize Savings

  • Black Friday sales are set for November 29, marking the start of the holiday shopping season
  • A survey reveals 20% of people are set to spend $1,000 or more on holiday shopping this year.
  • Amazon (85%) and Walmart (59%) will be the top two choices for online Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping this year.

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Ahead of Black Friday, the savings experts at BravoDeal share ten important budgeting tips for shoppers.

Marco Farnararo, CEO and Co-Founder of BravoDeal says,

“Black Friday kicks off the busiest shopping period of the year, with huge retailers like Amazon or Walmart offering online-exclusive discounts and free store pickup options.

“When purchasing items during a busy sale, it’s important to be strategic to ensure you’re getting the best deal and value for your money.

“Therefore, it is important to be prepared, monitor any items you are interested in buying, and compare prices to external websites to ensure you are getting a deal.

Below, the experts share ten pieces of advice that will help you find the best prices, save time browsing, and avoid any potential scams.

 1. Set and stick to a budget

It is easy to get carried away while shopping online, as your next purchase is at the click of a button.

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However, for those who do not want to overspend, setting and sticking to a budget will help you shop with discipline.

First, set a clear budget, factor in your financial situation, and avoid going over this amount.

If you’re buying multiple items, such as clothing, electronics, or groceries, divide your budget accordingly. This helps prevent overspending in one area.

BravoDeal’s top tip: Use budgeting apps like Mint, YNAB (You Need a Budget), or PocketGuard to track spending in real-time. These apps help you monitor your online shopping and alert you when you’re nearing your limit.

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2. Research in advance

Before the sales start, check the current prices of any items you are interested in, so you know whether they are a good deal based on the standard price.

Other retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Target often have competing sales during Black Friday and sometimes you can find better deals elsewhere

Tools including CamelCamelCamel or Keepa are good for tracking price history.

Reading up on product reviews and ratings on different websites such as TechRadar or Consumer Reports will help you know whether the products you are interested in are actually worth purchasing.

If you see any items you like in advance, add them to your Amazon wish list ahead of time. This will make it easier to spot deals when they go live.

BravoDeal’s top tip: If you have specifications in mind for items such as TVs, laptops or phones, make a list you want from the product, so you avoid any impulse purchasing.

3. Look for bundles

Purchasing bundles can often save you money. Electronics, including smart home devices, are often bundled with accessories or complementary products, which can be of great value.

BravoDeal’s top tip: For those sticking to a budget, ensure that you buy a bundle because you need the items, not just for the sake of it.

4. Keep an eye out for lightning deals

Lightning deals are time-limited offers that can save you extra money. However, they tend to sell out quickly.

Keep an eye on the countdown of a lightning deal, and if you do want the item, purchase it as soon as possible.

BravoDeal’s top tip: Always compare prices before purchasing an item, just in case the deal isn’t as good as you think.

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5. Check returns policies

Return windows are important, and some electronics may have shorter return windows or restocking fees.

Amazon and Walmart sale items typically have a return window, just like regular purchases, but the specific return period can vary.

The standard return window for most items is 30 days from the date of delivery.

However, this can change depending on the seller (if it’s a third-party seller), the item category or the specific terms of the sale, whether it be for clearance or holiday sales.

BravoDeal’s top tip: After purchasing items, test the product as soon as it arrives to ensure that it works properly and meets your expectations.

6. Look for coupons and discounts

Some products on Amazon will have additional coupons or promotion codes applied during checkout. You can also find extra coupons on product pages.

For products you regularly buy Amazon’s “Subscribe and Save” program offers discounts when you subscribe for monthly recurring orders of those items.

BravoDeal’s top tip: Bravodeal.com offers several Amazon discount codes from 85% off Amazon home deals, to 70% off beauty products.

7. Look at trade-in offers

Amazon will sometimes offer additional savings if you trade in an old electronic device or other item eligible for trade.

This is generally useful when upgrading smartphones, tablets, or e-readers.

Go to the Amazon Trade-In page and you will find a list of categories for eligible trade-in items. Electronics (smartphones, tablets, video game consoles), books and textbooks, video games, and smart home devices are all included.

BravoDeal’s top tip: If you agree to the offer of a trade-in, always ensure to confirm your items’ conditions legitimately, as misleading submissions can lead to problems.

8. Use a prepaid card or a separate account

Use a prepaid card or gift card with a set amount that aligns with your budget. Once the funds run out, you can’t spend any more.

Alternatively, you can create a separate bank account or e-wallet (like PayPal) just for shopping and transfer your budgeted amount into it. This keeps your personal finances separate and limits overspending.

9. Beware of fake reviews and manipulated ratings

Some sellers use fake or paid reviews to artificially boost their product ratings. They can also manipulate reviews to make poor products appear highly rated, tricking buyers into thinking they’re receiving a quality item.

To identify this, look for reviews that are overly positive without much detail or that repeat similar language.

BravoDeal’s top tip: Tools like Fakespot or ReviewMeta can help analyze the legitimacy of reviews.

10. Avoid fake websites and links

Fake websites and links are among the most common scams.

Scammers create fake websites that look identical to a retailer’s site. These fake sites often appear in ads or phishing emails and attempt to steal your personal and payment information.

How to Spot It: Check the URL carefully. The official website should be “https://www.walmart.com/(with no additional words or symbols). Secure sites will also have a padlock symbol in the URL bar.

What to do: Avoid clicking on links from emails or social media. Always type “walmart.com” directly into your browser.

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Paschal Okafor
Paschal Okafor
Paschal Okafor is the founder of NaijaTechGuide. A Graduate of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Paschal is passionate about Technology and since 2006 has written over 4000 articles covering Mobile Devices, Consumer Electronics, Digital Marketing, Mobile Apps, and Online Services. Over the past 16 years, he has managed to turn a blog that started life on a Google Blogger subdomain into the Largest Technology Blog in Nigeria and quite possibly the largest in Africa. Paschal has been Building, Analyzing, and Maintaining Websites for over 17 years and also shares his wealth of knowledge and experience about building and managing websites on NaijaTechGuide.

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