The sales, the savings, the ads. Yes, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are back.
But how do you make the sales work for you and really save money without overspending?
Before the sales: Get sales-ready
Work out how much you can afford to spend beforehand to make sure you keep within your means. This is your sales budget. Stick to it.
Make a list of the people you want to buy for, what you want to buy and the prices you see online before the sales.
Then compare these prices with the Black Friday and Cyber Monday prices. This lets you see exactly how much you could save.
During the sales: Try not to get carried away
Just because it’s the biggest shopping weekend of the year doesn’t mean you have to buy everything!
Keep checking your spending against your sales budget so you know how much you have left to spend. Stick to your budget.
Don't put yourself into debt
It’s only a great deal if it doesn’t put you into debt.
Remember: if you’re planning to pay with a credit card, and you can’t pay the balance off in full then the interest charges you pay will reduce the savings you made.
Check cashback offers
When shopping online, check whether your debit or credit card has any cashback offers to see if you get money back when you spend.
Avoid high shipping costs
For online shoppers, don't forget the delivery costs.
Maybe you can avoid them by having your items shipped to a nearby store for click and collect? Maybe you can get free delivery if you spend over a certain amount?
But don’t just add more stuff to your basket to save on shipping costs. Instead, see if you can buy a number of the things you want at the same online store to save on the cost of delivery.
And remember to check out how long your items will take to arrive before you buy.
Follow brands on social media
You may want to follow the brands and stores you love on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.
Retailers know you'll be checking and following their social media profiles and may reward you for doing so.
Many offer exclusive deals in the form of codes to enter at checkout which might get you free shipping, discounts, or a free item.
Always keep the receipt
Check out the return policies of stores you plan to buy from. How many days will you have to return or exchange an item? Do they offer free returns, or will it cost you if you have to post it back?
Always keep your receipts, in case you need to return or exchange something. Finally, if you are buying gifts don’t forget to get a gift receipt, if available.
Watch out for scams
Today’s fraudsters are highly skilled at creating fake websites which appear genuine and persuading consumers to share payment information. Remember:- Don’t click on links in emails or texts
- Be suspicious of “free” offers
- And check your credit/debit card for suspicious transactions.
For more tips on how to stay safe, visit: https://www.bankofireland.com/security-zone/
