Black Friday Savings and Shopping: 2025 Edition
- Black Friday is no longer a one-day shopping event, and you don't have to shop in-store.
- Set a budget and make a shopping list in advance to stay on track and avoid overspending.
- Compare deals across retailers, and look to mobile shopping apps, browser extensions, and social media for additional ways to save.
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One of the most popular shopping holidays of the year is nearly here. Black Friday shopping deals could help you keep more money in your wallet as you shop for holiday gifts and everyday essentials this November.
Whether you plan to shop in-store or from the comfort of your living room, you can be strategic to maximize your savings. Let's take a closer look at how to save money on Black Friday so you can snap up those deals without going broke or finding yourself in need of debt relief.
Make a Black Friday Shopping Budget
What’s the best tip for how to save money on Black Friday? Don’t overspend.
Easier said than done, right?
The top way to avoid spending too much is to set a shopping budget. Knowing how much money you've budgeted to spend could help you set priorities and look for deals as you draft your shopping list. Without a financial plan, you may feel tempted to spend beyond your means.
Also, Black Friday kicks off the holiday season, a high-spending time for most people. Think of your Black Friday shopping budget as one part of your overall holiday spending plan.Take some time to review your regular monthly budget and calculate how much money you have left over for Black Friday shopping. Then set a spending limit and stick to it.
You'll likely be drawn to many money-saving Black Friday deals. Take steps in advance that could help you avoid going into debt. Remain committed to your spending limit while shopping so you can reach your financial goals more quickly.
How to Save Money on Black Friday
Once you’ve set a spending limit, you're ready to start shopping for the best deals without going into debt.
Here are some more money-saving strategies to help you conquer Black Friday.
Follow retailers on social media
If you want the inside scoop on the best deals, we recommend following the social media accounts of your favorite retailers. This way, you won't miss out on any Black Friday promotions.
If you don't watch much TV and tend to throw away paper sales flyers, social media can help you stay informed. Another way to get alerts about the best deals is to subscribe to your favorite retailer's email newsletters. Some companies will give you a discount code in exchange for signing up for their email list.
Plan your Black Friday shopping
Spending money on impulse buys that you don't need can push you into shopping debt this winter. You could avoid this by planning your Black Friday purchases in advance.
Keep your spending limit in mind as you consider which Black Friday deals are worth your hard-earned dollars. Keep a shopping list ready before you shop. It’ll help you steer clear of impulse purchases and also make your shopping experience less stressful.
Don’t ignore coupons
Black Friday deals are a great way to save money shopping. But don't overlook opportunities to trim your spending more. Depending on the retailer, you may be able to get a bigger discount on your shopping bill with coupons or promo codes.
Couponing has evolved from the bygone days of clipping 25-cents-off coupons from the newspaper.
Here are some browser extensions that can help you find coupons and discount codes:
Simply enter a coupon code at checkout to lower your bill.
Abandon your cart
Here's a trick that some online savings advocates swear by: abandoning your shopping cart.
If you're shopping online and can't find any relevant coupons or discount codes or feel that your checkout total is too high for your budget, place the items you'd like to purchase in your cart and then leave the website or mobile app.
Some online retailers follow up when customers don't complete the checkout process. You may receive an email or ad from their site with a coupon code. Strategically abandoning your cart might just lead to additional discounts you may not be able to find elsewhere.
Prepare for multi-day deals
Don't assume that the best deals will only be available for one day. Black Friday has shifted into a multi-day shopping event. Many retailers extend their sales throughout the weekend and promote Cyber Monday deals to help you save money. There's no need to rush to do all your shopping on Black Friday.
Research deals in advance
We discussed how making a shopping list can help you prepare for the popular shopping holiday. But it can also be advantageous to compare Back Friday deals across multiple retailers.
To give you time to plan, many retailers promote their sales fliers weeks in advance of the shopping holiday. It’s beneficial to take time to review retailer ads in advance of Black Friday so you know which retailers to prioritize for the items you plan to buy.
Download browser extensions and apps
Browser extensions and shopping apps can help you maximize your Black Friday savings. These tools guide you to the cheapest prices and best deals. Consider downloading them before Black Friday.
Some options include:
Avoid impulse purchases
Many retailers significantly increase their marketing budgets for the days leading up to and on Black Friday. They want you to spend money, even if you don’t have a specific need. As you shop, resist impulse buys by keeping your shopping list and spending limit top of mind.
Pro tip: If you’re considering a purchase that wasn’t on your original shopping list, step away and give yourself 24 hours to think about it first.
Shop online later in the day
Your inbox and social media feed will likely be jam-packed with Black Friday deals. You may be tempted to get your shopping done earlier in the day. Relax. The deals don’t end on Black Friday, and you’ll have plenty of bargains to shop for later in the day and in the days following Black Friday.
We suggest skipping the morning rush. Shopping in the afternoon or evening allows you to compare sales calmly and make more informed decisions.
You can also shop Cyber Monday sales. Review sales flyers for both shopping holidays to determine whether to prioritize some purchases on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
Common Black Friday Shopping Mistakes to Avoid
Want to breeze through your Black Friday shopping? Here are some more shopping tips:
Be careful with credit cards. When using credit cards, only charge what you can afford to pay off. Credit card interest can quickly put you deeper into debt. To avoid credit card debt, only charge what you can afford and pay your entire statement off in full. If you have existing debt, credit card relief is available.
Don’t buy items just because. Buy only what you need. Don’t feel as if you need to buy something because it’s on sale.
Review retailer return policies. Always review store return policies. Some retailers only offer refunds as a store credit, while others have limited return policies. Knowing a store’s return policy can help you avoid losing money if you change your mind.
Doorbusters may not be worth it. It may be better to skip early doorbuster deals. Chasing limited deals like this can make Black Friday more stressful and frustrating. When your nerves are jangled, it’s harder to make sensible shopping decisions.
Be Smart About Debt This Black Friday
In addition to savings, Black Friday could be an excellent chance to learn how to manage your debt effectively. The less debt you have, the more enjoyable Black Friday shopping can be.
If you're in debt, consider working with a debt relief company like Freedom Debt Relief. Experts can help you understand your debt management option and how debt relief works.
Freedom Debt Relief can help you navigate your debt payoff journey. By taking control of your finances, you can make substantial progress toward improving your financial future.
Debt relief stats and trends
We looked at a sample of data from Freedom Debt Relief of people seeking a debt relief program during October 2025. The data uncovers various trends and statistics about people seeking debt help.
Age distribution of debt relief seekers
Debt affects people of all ages, but some age groups are more likely to seek help than others. In October 2025, the average age of people seeking debt relief was 53. The data showed that 25% were over 65, and 15% were between 26-35. Financial hardships can affect anyone, no matter their age, and you can never be too young or too old to seek help.
Student loan debt – average debt by selected states.
According to the 2023 Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) the average student debt for those with a balance was $46,980. The percentage of families with student debt was 22%. (Note: It used 2022 data).
Student loan debt among those seeking debt relief is prevalent. In October 2025, 27% of the debt relief seekers had student debt. The average student debt balance (for those with student debt) was $48,703.
Here is a quick look at the top five states by average student debt balance.
| State | Percent with student loans | Average Balance for those with student loans | Average monthly payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 34 | $71,987 | $203 |
| Georgia | 29 | $59,907 | $183 |
| Mississippi | 28 | $55,347 | $145 |
| Alaska | 22 | $54,555 | $104 |
| Maryland | 31 | $54,495 | $142 |
The statistics are based on all debt relief seekers with a student loan balance over $0.
Student debt is an important part of many households' financial picture. When you examine your finances, consider your total debt and your monthly payments.
Tackle Financial Challenges
Don’t let debt overwhelm you. Learn more about debt relief options. They can help you tackle your financial challenges. This is true whether you have high credit card balances or many tradelines. Start your path to recovery with the first step.
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Author Information
Written by
Natasha Etzel
Natasha is a contributing writer for Freedom Debt Relief. She is a veteran professional financial writer. She provides realistic strategies to help readers improve their knowledge and change their financial situations.
Reviewed by
Kimberly Rotter
Kimberly Rotter is a financial counselor and consumer credit expert who helps people with average or low incomes discover how to create wealth and opportunities. She’s a veteran writer and editor who has spent more than 30 years creating thousands of hours of educational content in every possible format.
Can you actually save money on Black Friday?
Yes, you can save money on Black Friday. But not every deal you find is worth it. Some deals have only minimal savings. Also, some retailers inflate original prices to make a Black Friday discount appear larger. To save money, compare deals across multiple retailers.
What will be cheaper on Black Friday?
Some of the best Black Friday deals are on electronics, appliances, home goods, toys, and video games. You could verify that a deal is genuine by researching the original price before Black Friday. This will also make it easier to determine which deals offer the biggest savings.
How do you avoid overspending on Black Friday?
Setting a budget and creating a shopping list are two ways to help you resist Black Friday overspending. Some simple planning could strengthen your resolve to keep spending under control. Write down:
Specific items you plan to buy
Who you’re shopping for
Maximum spending amount
By sticking to your budget and resisting impulse purchases, you can shop without overspending.
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