Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are great opportunities to save money on those purchases you have given some thought and planning to.
Dates - Black Friday 2025 in Australia is on Friday 28 November; Cyber Monday follows on 1 December. In many cases, the deals stretch over the entire weekend, or even start earlier.
Watch for Early Deals - Many retailers ‘warm up’ for Black Friday with early sales or sneak peeks. If there’s something you want, keep tabs on it beforehand so you can compare.
Deceptive Pricing is Real - Be aware, some sales use ‘was / now’ pricing that’s misleading, inflate the original price to make the discount look bigger, or limit discounts to members. The ACCC has raised concerns about this.
Scams and Security Risks - Black Friday draws scammers with fake websites, social media deals that aren’t genuine, and phishing are frequent. Always check the seller’s reputation and use secure payment methods.
How to Maximise Savings
Here are practical tips for getting the most out of the sales.
Tip 1 - Make a list and set priorities
Why it helps - You’ll avoid impulse buys and focus on what actually matters.
How to do it - Decide what you need vs what you’d like. Rank by importance. Maybe split into “must get” and “nice if discounted”.
Tip 2 - Research prices beforehand
Why it helps - To know if a deal really is a deal
How to do it - Use comparison sites, check past sale prices, note regular price vs sale price so you can spot true bargains
Tip 3 - Set a budget
Why it helps - So you don’t overspend because of hype
How to do it - Decide max spend, maybe set sub-budgets per category (tech, clothes, gifts). Use alerts or reminders so you stay on track.
Tip 4 - Use deals + cashback / rewards
Why it helps - You get extra savings beyond the discount
How to do it - Use cashback sites/apps (e.g. ShopBack, Cashrewards). Use credit cards or reward cards, but only if you can pay off promptly so interest doesn’t cancel the saving.
Tip 5 - Time your purchase
Why it helps - For big-ticket or fast-selling items, acting early helps.
How to do it - If you see something good, act quickly. But also monitor price drops, some deals get better as the day progresses (but risk stock running out).
Tip 6 - Watch shipping & import costs
Why it helps - Sometimes the savings disappear after postage, duties, etc.
How to do it - Factor in shipping costs; prefer local retailers where possible. If importing, check total cost. Look for free shipping or in‑store pick up.
Tip 7 - Check return policies & warranties
Why it helps - A great deal isn’t helpful if returns.
How to do it - Before buying: read returns policy, warranty, “change of mind” provisions. Keep receipts/screenshots.
Tip 8 - Use alerts & notifications.
Why it helps - To be first in line when something you want drops.
How to do it - Subscribe to retailer newsletters, app push notifications, use tools to track price drops.
Tip 9 - Avoid ‘buy now, pay later’ traps unless safe.
Why it helps - Good for cash flow, but interest/fees or defaults can undo savings.
How to do it - If using Afterpay, Zip, etc., make sure you can repay in time. Don’t take on unnecessary credit
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are wonderful opportunities to save money. If you follow our 9 tips you’ll be happy and safe.