How to nail the sales: Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

27 October 2026

Hold onto your shopping carts! There's no thrill quite like scoring a coveted item at a steal. But with the rising cost of living on our minds, every dollar counts.

With Black Friday fast approaching and Cyber Monday hot on its heels, we're here with tips to dodge the overspending frenzy, and shop smarter.

1. Do your research.

Hallmark sales events like the Black Friday sales don’t appear out of the blue. This gives you time to get organised when it comes to Christmas shopping.

Start making a list of your favourite retailers or those that have the items you're after, then see what offers they have planned.

‘Signing up to newsletters is a surefire way to get the latest deals as retailers often send exclusive deals to shoppers who have subscribed,’ advises Chris Jager, Shopping Expert at Finder.

But having VIP passes to the best deals can come with a catch: a jungle of promotions in your inbox followed by ongoing spam. Chris’ tip? Create an email account specifically for them, then unsubscribe after the event.

If you’ve got your eye on a particular item or brand, Chris suggests signing up to retailers' socials as well.

‘Retailers typically take to social media to announce warehouse sales or upcoming frenzies.’

2. Make a plan, set a budget.

Budgeting may sound like a buzzkill but think of it as your shopping compass. It's very easy to splash the cash when it looks like you're nabbing bargains, but overspending may cause pain once the silly season gets into full swing.

So, what’s the best strategy? Make a wish list of the things you're after and note what you want to spend on them.

‘Just because there’s a sale on doesn’t mean you have to spend – stick to your list and avoid getting side-tracked by deals that are unnecessary,’ Chris says.

‘Determining a budget of how much you’re going to spend will limit impulse buying and overspending.’

3. Get in early.

Let's debunk a common myth: Black Friday sales starts on Black Friday, right? Wrong!

‘You can expect Black Friday deals to appear at the beginning of November even though the official start date is late November,’ Chris explains.

Some of the sales start weeks before, so you could be nabbing the best deals before others even know they're available.

4. Track your deals.

It's easy to get lost in the maze of discounts. That's where deal-tracking apps and websites come into play.

Not only do they sift through the noise to bring you the best deals, but they also allow you to add items to wish lists and monitor those all-important price drops. It’s like having a personal shopping assistant who loves maths.

5. Discover shopping portals.

Did you know that there are shopping portals that offer cashback when you shop at certain retailers?

These 'cashback sites', such as ShopBack{external-link} and Kickback{external-link}, work by retailers paying them a commission that they pass on to you.

‘You could earn as much as 20% off, and if you’re spending on big-ticket items, you could score heaps of savings,’ says Chris.

They may seem like they're too good to be true and, in a way, they are. But just make sure you're not using them as an excuse to overspend.

6. Be aware of overseas transaction fees.

Many countries around the world buy into Black Friday and Cyber Monday but be aware that international transaction fees can hike up your overall price in an instant.

Using your SpendME debit card means you won’t be charged any international fees by ME¹⁹, so there’s no extra sting for those limited-edition Air Jordans you woke up at 3am to buy online.

7. Grab those big-ticket items.

For some people, big-ticket items are what Black Friday and Cyber Monday are all about.

Wanting a higher-definition TV? A state-of-the-art fridge? A laptop for a child who's about to start high school? This is your chance to buy those pricey items you’ve had your eye on for months.

‘If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your laptop, now is the best chance to bag bargains of up to 40% off the RRP,’ says Chris.

But know that you won't always find discounts on the very newest products, particularly when it comes to tech.

‘Often the launch of new tech pushes the price of older models down. But that’s not to say that getting last year’s model won’t have top notch features – and it can save you a significant amount,’ he adds.

8. Shop around.

This is the golden rule of shopping – sales weekend or not, always channel your inner detective.

Don't take the first deal you find, and don't be afraid to check or ask for a product's price history to ensure you're getting the best deal

And of course, don't be afraid to let stores know that you’re comparing prices.

‘Lots of retailers price match,’ Chris says. ‘So, if you find a product cheaper elsewhere, see if they can match that price or offer you a better deal.’

9. Remember to think before you buy.

We can't deny the thrill of a bargain, but don't let it cost you more than just express shipping.

Sales will come and go, and so will the stuff – so make sure you're buying what you need and not getting swept up in the hype.

Trying to spend smart? Let ME do the heavy lifting.

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