Black Friday is the ultimate shopping day, especially in the tech world. But, if you’re like me, diving in headfirst without a plan can lead to a major financial headache. Luckily, planning ahead helps negate that. Here’s how I prep for Black Friday sales and maximize my savings.

1 Research and Planning

A ton of prep work goes into my Black Friday sales shopping. I’m sometimes talking things done days, even weeks, ahead of time. To get started:

Identify Needs and Wants

The first step in my Black Friday prep work is evaluating my current tech needs versus my “nice-to-have” items. For instance, I recently figured it was time to upgrade my laptop, but I’ve also been eyeing noise-canceling headphones for when my kiddo is playing. By categorizing my purchases into “needs” and “wants,” I can break down and prioritize essentials without getting distracted by shiny extras.

Set a Budget

Let’s face it: budgeting is never exciting, but it is the key to surviving Black Friday without serious buyer’s remorse. I calculate just how much I am willing to spend overall, block out how much is needed for my “have-to-haves,” and then allocate the rest to my wish list. Having a clear limit on how much I can spend keeps me from splurging impulsively, no matter how good those deals might seem the day of.

Create a Wish List

Once I know what I need and how much I can spend, I create a detailed wish list. I include product details, preferred brands, and features I want. For example, I wanted a smartwatch last year but noted that it had to be compatible with my phone and have fitness-tracking capabilities. This way, I don’t waste time – or money – on deals for items that don’t meet my requirements. Some sites, such as Amazon, make this easy, but you can keep a separate spreadsheet if you look at multiple websites.

2 Stay Informed

The next biggest part of prepping for Black Friday is being in the know. You have to be ready to put in the work if you want the best deals—you won’t magically find them all that Friday, and plenty of websites will actually have unique deals that might be timed or given out only to members, newsletter followers, etc.

Subscribe to Newsletters

One of my favorite ways to stay informed is by subscribing to newsletters from my favorite tech brands and retailers. These emails often include early access to deals, promo codes, and sneak peeks at upcoming discounts. I also follow these companies on social media for instant updates.

Deal Websites

Deal-tracking websites and apps are lifesavers during Black Friday. Platforms like Slickdeals or Honey can help you save money by finding the best promotions in real-time. I also use price comparison tools to make sure that what looks like a discount is actually a good deal. Some sites, such as CamelCamelCamel, even allow me to set alerts for specific products, so I get notified as soon as the price drops.

3 Smart Timing and Strategy

You might think Black Friday is all about the day-of, but let me tell you—it isn’t. Not only do you need to plan out what you will buy, but you also need to know when.

Early Bird Deals

Black Friday sales often start earlier than expected, sometimes even weeks in advance. I take advantage of pre-Black Friday promotions to snag deals before the big rush. This strategy helps me avoid the chaos of the actual day and ensures that the items I want don’t sell out.

Comparison Shopping

I never purchase a product without first checking prices across multiple platforms. For example, if I buy a new tablet, I’ll compare its price on Amazon, Best Buy, and the manufacturer’s website. Many retailers offer price-matching policies, so I use that to my advantage when shopping in-store.

Prepare for Online Shopping

Since so much of my Black Friday shopping is done online, I make sure that my internet connection is reliable and that all my devices are signed in and ready. I bookmark product pages and create accounts on major retailer sites beforehand to streamline checkout. Enabling autofill for payment and shipping info can also help save valuable seconds if I feel something might sell out quickly.

4 Maximize Your Benefits

Looking up prices and making sure your internet connection is up to speed isn’t all you can do to position yourself for a great Black Friday. You can also make sure you are getting the best deals possible by:

Use Loyalty Programs

Retailer loyalty programs are a goldmine for shoppers during and after Black Friday. Many programs offer members early access to sales, exclusive discounts, or additional rewards points. Last year, I used my Best Buy membership to get a 10% discount on a smart TV and free shipping.

Take Advantage of Cashback and Coupons

Cashback apps like Rakuten or credit card rewards can make a big difference when shopping. I combine these with coupon codes or store-specific discounts for maximum savings. For instance, that same Best Buy smart TV also earned cashback on top of the discount, meaning I wound up paying almost less than half the price I would have otherwise.

Ready to tackle Black Friday like a pro? Start planning early, and you’ll be amazed at how much you can save while checking off everything on your wish list.