Guide to budgeting for Black Friday 2025

At a glance

• Black Friday occurs at the end of November and is a period when many retailers offer a range of special offers and discounts.
• It started in the US but is now a major and increasingly popular shopping event in the UK.
• Although Black Friday can offer attractive deals and money off your purchases, it’s important to do your research and budget effectively beforehand.

Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping events of the year. Some deals could save UK consumers a significant amount of money on everything from clothes and jewellery to toys and electronics, making it a great time to tick some items off the Christmas list.

However, among the substantial savings you could make, there are some offers that can end up costing more than you think. Below, we have explained how to use this shopping season to your advantage, and how you might be able to finance these purchases effectively.

What is Black Friday?

Black Friday is a discount holiday that originated in the US. It follows on from Thanksgiving, and, for many, it signals the start of the festive period, with retailers offering some of their products and services at a discounted rate.

This trend has been adopted by many companies in the UK, but in recent years it’s grown from being a one-day sale to a weeks-long event, with some retailers starting their Black Friday discounts in early November and extending it into the following week.

What is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday immediately follows Black Friday. It’s another day for shoppers to enjoy discounted prices, but this time the sales typically take place online.

Some sites save special deals for this day, while other more traditional retailers may reserve certain discounts for online purchases. However, this isn’t set in stone.

In reality, Black Friday and Cyber Monday can merge into one, with bricks-and-mortar retailers often extending their sales into the new week as well.

When is Black Friday?

In 2025, Black Friday in the UK takes place on Friday 28 November, and Cyber Monday follows on Monday 1 December.

While these are the official dates, you may start seeing Black Friday offers as early as the start of November.

Are Black Friday sales worth it?

Black Friday sales can be worth it, but only if you do your research and use them to buy an item you genuinely want or need.

For example, if you need to buy a new washing machine, it may be worth seeing if you can secure a lower price in the Black Friday sales.

However, if Black Friday discounts persuade you to buy items you don’t really want and wouldn’t have bought without the sales, they are not worth it as you’re parting with money you otherwise wouldn’t have spent.

To help you assess whether a Black Friday deal is worth it, make sure to research prices in the lead up to the sales as this will allow you to see whether a special offer will really save you that much money.

Is it better to buy now or wait for Black Friday?

This depends. While many retailers advertise special offers and discounts in their Black Friday sales, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t be able to get these items cheaper at other points in the year.

Indeed, some retailers may use tactics (such as inflating prices in the lead up to Black Friday) to make discounts seem even more attractive.

As a result, if you know you’re going to make a purchase, such as a new TV or appliance, it’s a good idea to track prices so you know how good a discount really is. This can then help you make a more informed decision about when to buy an item.

Should I use Black Friday to purchase Christmas presents?

As Black Friday comes just before the festive period, it may be worth using this day to purchase your Christmas presents. Not only could you find some discounted items, but it may relieve some stress on your December spending, allowing you to spread the cost of your festive purchases.

That said, it is important to not get drawn into impulse purchases, and to do some research before Black Friday kicks off.

How to make the most of a Black Friday sale

It’s a good idea to start thinking about the products you’re looking for ahead of Black Friday and seeing where you can find the best deals. If you’re after a phone, laptop or Xbox, for example, start scouting out tech stores and see when their sales are due to start.

Helpfully, many of the major retailers will announce the highlights of their sale before the main event, so it may be worth keeping up to date with these offers by checking their websites or social media, signing up to their newsletters or picking up their brochures in-store.

This comes with two main advantages. Firstly, it will help you understand how much you could save on your chosen deals. Some retailers will offer only minimal savings on many of their items, with these types of deals commonplace during other sales throughout the year.

Secondly, prior research can give you an idea of how much you will spend on Black Friday. Waiting until the day itself can leave you vulnerable to clever advertising where you could overextend yourself to purchase an unnecessary item, as you may feel the pressure to not miss out.

Researching your chosen deals beforehand, and drawing up a budget, will give you an indication of how much you could potentially spend on Black Friday, and therefore if you require any form of credit to help cover the cost.

How to budget for Black Friday

Having a clear budget and listing the item(s) you’re interested in before hitting the sales will help to ensure you don’t spend more than you can afford. This can also focus your attention on the items you genuinely want to have, rather than getting distracted by special offers on other items you may not need.

While using money you already have in savings, for example, can be the cheapest and less-risky option for shopping in the Black Friday sales, there are other options if you don’t have the money to make a purchase outright.

Below we have listed some ways you could finance your Black Friday shopping this year.

The listed options below do not constitute advice. Beware of spending beyond your means, as credit used irresponsibly can rack up a serious amount of debt.

Save in advance

This is the ideal way to prepare for Black Friday as it doesn’t involve any form of borrowing or any interest payments.

Several months before Black Friday (or even earlier than this), savvy consumers should consider what purchases they may like to make, whether it be a new television or a Christmas present, and consider its potential cost.

After this they can set their money aside in an easy access savings account or notice savings account and pay a regular portion of their salary into it, so they have the required sum by the time Black Friday starts.

Find a savings account

See our charts to discover the latest savings rates, whether you’re looking for an easy access account or a notice account.

Alternatively, if you want to make regular deposits each month, it may be worth considering a regular savings account.

0% purchase credit cards

A 0% purchase credit card could be ideal for those with an average or excellent credit score who are comfortable managing debt.

This type of credit card offers a 0% interest rate for a fixed period and can be a useful way for shoppers to spread the cost of their purchases over several months or years. Of course, the main advantage is that, as long as shoppers repay their card balance in full before the end of the interest-free period, this won’t cost them anything.

Still, it is worth noting that other activities on this card may incur a charge, such as balance transfers or cash withdrawals. So, users should try to stick to only making purchases on their card, and must always pay at least the minimum payment each month.

Money transfer cards

Some shoppers prefer to stick to spending on their debit card, but if they spend more than their current account balance, they could find themselves facing high overdraft rates. This is where a money transfer card could be useful.

This type of card is designed to pay money straight into your bank account to clear any overdraft charges. In return, lenders will either set their own rate of interest or require a one-off fee.

Just like a 0% purchase credit card, there are some money transfer cards that include an interest-free period too.

Cashback or reward credit cards

Shoppers who are confident in managing a credit card effectively (and who can afford to clear their card before interest charges apply) could consider using a cashback or reward credit card in the Black Friday sales.

These cards can offer a percentage cashback or reward points on your spending, allowing you to earn money or receive other benefits when shopping in the sales. However, to take full advantage of this, it’s important to pay off your card in full each month to avoid paying interest.

Alternatively, if you’re unable to pay off your card in full, it may be possible to move your debt to a 0% balance transfer card, which will give you more time to clear your debt without facing any interest charges.

See your personalised credit card offers

Compare credit cards from different providers and see the offers you may be eligible for with Monevo. This should only take a few minutes and won’t affect your credit score.

Personal loans

A personal loan may be worth considering for consumers planning one or more large purchases this Black Friday.

Personal loans differ from credit cards as you borrow a fixed sum and repay it in fixed monthly payments. It’s crucial to stick to the agreed payment plan, as missed payments will adversely impact your credit score and may incur a fee.

Some shoppers may prefer to take out a loan instead of a credit card, as the flexibility of a card could tempt them into overspending and building up unaffordable debt.

Check your eligibility for a loan

Interested in quickly checking your eligibility for a personal loan? Learn more with the help of our preferred loans broker, Loans Warehouse. Good and bad credit history accepted.

Before you apply for a loan, it's important to check your eligibility as loan refusals can indirectly damage your credit score.