Money-saving expert shares 'foolproof' ways to bag yourself the best Black Friday deals
As the festive season approaches, it's wise to think about your Christmas shopping to ensure you're prepared and budget effectively for the celebration.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday, along with the surrounding days, constitute some of the years busiest shopping times, offering a golden opportunity to grab a bargain on in-demand items, be it gadgets, beauty products, or fashion finds.
On this note, esteemed money-saving expert Megan Micklewright, also known as The Savvy Spender, imparts her essential pre-shopping event guidance in collaboration with AO.
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Megan, an acclaimed fiscal guru who left her 9-5 role in 2021 following a surge in online recognition, boasts over 90,600 Instagram followers at @thesavvyspender. There, she dispenses valuable advice, aiding individuals to earn, save, and augment their finances.
She stated: "As we all know, Black Friday is not just a day anymore and people are shopping earlier - so it's more important than ever to have some tricks up your sleeves when it comes to navigating the sale.", reports the Mirror.
The Birmingham-based mother shares that sourcing discount codes before making any purchase is crucial, and also encourages a pre-winter clear-out and the sale of unneeded items over the web prior to buying anew.
With Black Friday [November 29] lurking, she recommends scouting out your desired items ahead of time rather than waiting for the date itself. Scouring various retailers is key to securing the most value for your expenditure.
Megan, who has openly discussed her upbringing in a financially challenging environment, mentioned: "Many sales now go live weeks in advance, giving shoppers a head start on finding the best prices and selection. Shoppers should begin browsing early, comparing options to make sure they lock in the best deals."
The TikToker continued: "Similarly, shoppers should compare deals across multiple sites and make sure to take advantage of price match guarantees that retailers such as AO offer."
Despite common assumptions about her stance due to her profession, Megan supported the use of buy now, pay later schemes under certain conditions. She pointed out: "A lot of people think I would be against it but I actually think it is really great and have used it myself."
She advised: "Finance isn't for everyone, only for those wanting to make a big purchase who need a bit extra help. However, if you're after a big purchase make sure to look for flexible finance options allowing you to spread the cost over time."
Megan emphasised the importance of not overspending and recommended using finance options only if one can comfortably meet the payment agreements. A prudent practice she advocated was setting a budget prior to starting your Christmas shopping.
The influencer added a cautionary note, saying: "With enticing sales around every corner, it's all too easy to overspend. Establish a budget before you start shopping to keep your finances in check."
Ahead of the Black Friday rush, she recommends creating a priority list. "This helps shoppers and impulse buys and keeps the focus on high-priority purchases," she added.
