Black Friday lands on November 27 this year, and the "deals" have already started. Some of them are genuinely good. Many are regular prices with a red label. And a few are things nobody needed at any price.
We spend a lot of time looking at what people buy and what they send back. The pattern is clear: regret rarely comes from paying too much. It comes from buying something that didn't fit your life. These five questions fix most of that.
1. Was it on my list before the sale?
The best Black Friday purchase is one you already planned. Write your list now: the gifts you need, the worn-out thing that needs replacing, the upgrade you've wanted for months. When the sales arrive, you shop the list instead of the homepage.
2. Is this actually a lower price?
Write down the price of the things on your list today. A "40% off" label means little if the regular price went up in October. When you know the normal price, you'll recognise a real deal in seconds, and you'll know when to wait for a better one.
Regret rarely comes from paying too much. It comes from buying something that didn't fit your life.
3. Will I use it every week?
This is our test for every kitchen gadget and it works for almost everything. A meat thermometer you use every Sunday is a better buy at full price than an air-fryer accessory set you'll use once, however big the discount.
4. Where will it live?
Before you buy anything bigger than a shoebox, picture the exact shelf, drawer or corner it will go in. If the honest answer is "I'll figure it out", it will probably end up in the garage or the hallway closet.
5. What's the return window?
Many retailers extend their return windows over the holidays, but the rules vary by store and by product. Check before you order gifts, keep the receipts in one email folder, and note the last return date on anything you're unsure about.
Our watch list
Big-name smart-home gadgets and cozy winter basics are often among the most discounted items around Black Friday. These are the ones we'd buy for ourselves if the price drops:
A small speaker for music, timers and smart-home control. A useful first step into a smarter home.
Check price
See who's at the door, and get package alerts during the busiest delivery weeks of the year.
Check price
Warmth exactly where you sit, so you can keep the thermostat a little lower all winter.
Check priceThe short version
- Make your list before the sales start.
- Write down today's prices.
- Buy things you'll use every week.
- Know where each thing will live.
- Check the return window on gifts.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Hommely earns from qualifying purchases. Some links on Hommely are affiliate links: if you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.