Your ultimate guide to surviving Black Friday and Cyber Monday

To ensure that you get the most out of your Black Friday experience and don’t wake up the next morning with regret, here are some helpful tips to guide you:

• Ask yourself this simple question: if I didn't need to buy it when it was full price, do I need to buy it on sale? While it can be tempting to indulge in all the Black Friday specials, you need to be honest with yourself about what you can and can’t afford at this time because mindless spending can be one of the most expensive mistakes you can make.
• Set a reasonable budget and make a shopping list: determine how much you have available to spend and set a strict budget. Then make a list of the absolute essentials as well as the things you’ve really been wanting or wanting to gift someone with. Depending on your budget, some things may have to be scratched off the list, and that’s okay.
• Sign up for newsletters: to receive the latest information about all the best deals, sign up for newsletters from the retailers you are planning to purchase from.
• Compare deals: looking to buy a new washing machine? Don’t just go to your nearest furniture store. Most shops publish their Black Friday catalogues online, so look at a few different options before deciding on where you will make your purchase.
• Look out for pre–Black Friday sales: many shops have specials leading up to Black Friday, so if you see the item you have been coveting on a Black Friday deal, buy it. If you wait too long, it may no longer be available on Black Friday.
• Skip the queue, shop online: we’re still in a pandemic, and honestly, why subject yourself to a crowded mall if you don’t have to? From groceries and household essentials to clothing and home décor, everything is available online from the comfort of your own home.
• Read the fine print: if you are looking to get new appliances or bigger items, make sure that you check the return policies and warranties on all your items. Some retailers may choose to make sales final and not grant full refunds but rather exchanges or store credit, and it is important to know what you are signing up for.
• Only buy from reputable retailers: if you are shopping online, especially for big-ticket items, only make purchases from reputable retailers. If a discount looks too good to be true, it probably is, and you may be getting scammed. One way to determine whether the retailer can be trusted is by looking at their reviews and ratings from other customers.
• Protect your banking details: make sure that the online retailer is using a secure payment gateway and that the site URL begins with ‘https’ and not ‘http’. Keep your confirmation email and proof of payment emails after making the transaction.

Stay safe while enjoying your shopping spree:

As exciting as Black Friday and Cyber Monday can be for shoppers, it often also leads to a spike in crime. If you will be shopping at the mall, make sure that you are aware of your surroundings and your valuables are close to you at all times. While some may present themselves as friendly strangers, be vigilant and, if possible, take a friend or trusted person with you when you shop.

If you will be shopping online, make sure the software on your desktop, laptop or mobile device is up to date and that you have anti-virus software installed. Cybercriminals have been known to create websites and emails that appear to be from legitimate businesses. Be cautious about downloading email attachments claiming to be vouchers because sometimes the attachments have embedded malware that would circumvent traditional anti-virus software. Visit the retailer’s website instead.

Lastly, when you have made all your purchases, check your bank statement to ensure that everything is correct and that there are no unauthorised transactions.