For a long time, Black Friday was characterized by lines of overnight campers and big crowds trying to score the best bargains on one day a year. But times, as they say, are a-changing. In 2005, Cyber Monday invited shoppers online, and in recent years retailers began offering deals throughout the entire month of November. Black Friday has followed suit by adding online sales to in-store offerings. This is both good and bad: you can shop safely from your own home, but it’s also very easy to overspend. 

In the spirit of the saving-as-you-spend season, here are some tips on how to prevent clicking “add to cart” a few too many times. After, we’ll look at some of Canada’s best Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales in 2020.

    I. Set a spending limit and stick to it

    Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday sales can be extremely tempting and without a budget it is easy to overspend. When creating a budget, be realistic about how much extra money you can spend without going into debt. This may mean passing on a good deal or buying only what you need, rather than want. Remember though, if you’re putting a purchase on credit, the deal becomes less impressive once you add in interest. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday spread out over several weeks, you may find yourself in a month-long shopping frenzy, so budget and plan.

    II. Unsubscribe from promotional emails

    The saying “out of sight, out of mind” applies to many things, including sales at Walmart and Best Buy. Emails promising the BEST DEALS EVER!!! is a veritable Pandora’s inbox for spending. 

    Promotional emails will make you aware of Black Friday sales that you otherwise might not know about. It might not occur to you to check Cyber Monday at Sephora unless you get that email, so head it off at the pass and unsubscribe. For an added bonus, your inbox will be much tidier.

    III. Don’t panic

    Nothing gets the adrenaline pumping and anxiety surging like crowds of desperate bargain hunters and items flying off shelves. Online shopping reduces this sense of urgency, but retailers often have messaging such as “Hurry! Almost sold out” or “Only two left!” to encourage shoppers to buy without thinking.

    If it’s not an essential good, the chances are you can wait for the next sale. In that time, you may realize you want a Toshiba TV rather than an LG, or that you don’t really need a slushie machine. 

    Remember: a good deal isn’t a good deal if you can’t afford it or never use it.

Where to find the best deals for Black Friday & Cyber Monday

With all these tips in mind, it’s possible for Canadians to make the most of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Many retailers keep their best bargains under wraps until the last moment, but here are some of Canada’s best deals that we’ve found so far. 

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If you don't have savings to take advantage of Black Friday & Cyber Monday sales, you can look into getting an online personal installment loan. No matter where you live in Canada, Fresh Start Finance makes the loan approval process quick, easy, and stress-free:

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