Black Friday 2025: Your Money-Wise Guide to Smart Holiday Shopping in Canada

Black Friday is November 29, 2024 — and if you're not prepared, it's way too easy to overspend on things you don't actually need. This year, Canadians are expected to spend an average of $250–$300 during Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined. But here's the thing: you can save big without blowing your budget or regretting your purchases in January.

Let's get money-wise together and turn Black Friday into a strategic win for your wallet.

Maximize your savings this Black Friday with our Survival Guide—essential tips for smart shopping and avoiding impulse buys.

Why Black Friday Matters (and Why It Can Be Dangerous)

Black Friday marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season in Canada, and retailers know exactly how to make you feel like you're missing out. In 2024, shoppers spent a total of $13.3 billion on Cyber Monday, a 7.3% increase compared to 2023, proving just how powerful these sales events have become.

But here's the reality: a 2024 Empower study found that 34% of Americans thought they'd spend more on holiday gifts than they expected. Without a plan, Black Friday becomes a trap instead of an opportunity.

The good news? With the right strategies, you can score genuine deals on items you actually need — from winter gear and electronics to holiday gifts — while staying completely within budget.

"Navigate Black Friday with a savvy shopping guide: Weigh instant gratification against genuine value to ensure long-term satisfaction and financial well-being. Make each purchase count!"

Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday: Which Day Offers Better Deals?

This is one of the most common questions we get. Here's what the data shows:

Black Friday (November 29, 2024)

Black Friday is still king for big-ticket items like electronics, TVs, gaming consoles, and appliances. If you're shopping for:

• Large appliances (kitchen, laundry)

• TVs and home entertainment systems

• Gaming consoles and accessories

• Power tools and home improvement items

→ Shop Black Friday for the deepest discounts.

Cyber Monday (December 2, 2024)

Cyber Monday focuses on smaller electronics, fashion, gadgets, smart home devices, and accessories. Best for:

• Clothing, shoes, and accessories (up to 60% off)

• Beauty and personal care products

• Smaller tech items (headphones, tablets, smartwatches)

• Online-exclusive bundles

→ Shop Cyber Monday for convenience and variety.

Bottom line: Black Friday reigns supreme for big-ticket items, while Cyber Monday shines with deals on electronics, beauty and fashion. Many retailers now run sales throughout the entire weekend, so don't feel pressured to choose just one day.

Master Black Friday with savvy shopping strategies: Set a budget, prioritize essentials, and research products to make smart, money-saving decisions this sale season.

8 Strategies to Avoid Overspending on Black Friday

1. Set a Firm Budget Before You Start Shopping

Canadians with a budget save an average of $300 more than those who shop without a plan during Black Friday. Here's how to create yours:

Step-by-step:

• Review your November budget and identify how much discretionary income you have

• Divide your budget by category: gifts, household needs, personal items

• Allocate specific amounts per person on your gift list

• Write it down and keep it with you (phone notes, paper list, budgeting app)

Pro tip: Use a free budgeting app like EveryDollar or YNAB to track spending in real-time as you shop.

2. Make a Shopping List (and Stick to It)

Making a list of the items you actually need or have been planning to buy for a while can help keep you focused during sale periods. If you don't have a specific item in mind before Black Friday, don't buy it.

What should be on your list:

• Items you've been researching for weeks or months

• Necessary household replacements (appliances, furniture)

• Holiday gifts for specific people

• Items you've been saving up for all year

What shouldn't be on your list:

• "Maybe" purchases

• Impulse buys because "it's such a good deal"

• Things you didn't know existed until Black Friday

3. Research Prices Now to Spot Fake Discounts

Some retailers increase prices in early November and then "discount" them during the sales. Don't fall for it.

Price tracking tools:

• CamelCamelCamel — tracks Amazon.ca price history

• Honey browser extension — shows price history and applies coupon codes automatically

• PriceBat.ca — compares electronics prices across Canadian retailers

• Shopbot.ca — general price comparison for multiple categories

Strategy: Look up the current price of items on your list this week. Screenshot or write down the regular price. When Black Friday hits, you'll know if the discount is real.

4. Use the 24-Hour Rule for Unplanned Purchases

For anything that wasn't on your original list, use a simple rule: wait 24 hours before buying. If the sale ends during that window, it probably wasn't meant for your budget anyway.

Why this works: It shifts you from emotional buying to rational buying. Most "must-have" impulse purchases lose their appeal after 24 hours.

Navigate Black Friday with a strategic shopping guide focused on making smart decisions, saving money, and understanding how dopamine influences our purchasing choices. Prioritize needs and budgets before diving into the shopping frenzy for the best deals.

5. Avoid Store Credit Cards and Buy-Now-Pay-Later Traps

Store cards tend to have a high annual percentage rate (APR) if you carry a balance, often 20–30%. Missing a payment can hurt your credit score.

Red flags to watch for:

• "Get 20% off today if you open a store card!"

• Buy-now-pay-later offers that seem too easy

• Sales reps with tablets opening credit cards on the spot

Better approach: Use a rewards credit card you already have (and can pay off in full), or bring cash/debit to eliminate temptation entirely.

6. Shop Early (Yes, Right Now)

Many retailers release sneak peeks or early bird discounts leading up to the big day. Canadian retailers like Best Buy, Amazon.ca, Canadian Tire, and Walmart have already launched early Black Friday deals.

Where to find early deals now:

• Amazon.ca Black Friday Deals Store

• Best Buy Canada Early Access (loyalty members get first dibs)

• Canadian Tire (up to 50% off already live)

• Walmart Canada (early deals starting mid-November)

Benefit: You avoid the stress, crowds, and risk of items selling out. Plus, you can compare prices calmly over several days.

7. Stack Your Savings with Cashback Apps

This is where you can genuinely make money while you shop. Here's how:

Top Canadian cashback apps:

• Rakuten.ca — up to 30% cashback at 500+ stores (Amazon, Walmart, Sephora, Best Buy)

• Great Canadian Rebates (GCR) — 500+ Canadian affiliates; payout via direct deposit, PayPal, or gift cards

• TopCashback — claims to pass 100% of commission to users (no minimum payout)

• Drop — earn points on everyday purchases, redeem for gift cards

• Ampli — works in-store and online at 130+ Canadian brands

How to maximize:

1. Install Rakuten.ca browser extension before shopping

2. Always click through the cashback app to the retailer's site

3. Use a rewards credit card for double-dipping (cashback + credit card points)

4. Check multiple cashback sites — rates vary by day

Example calculation:

• Item cost: $200 after Black Friday discount

• Rakuten cashback: 10% = $20

• Credit card cashback: 2% = $4

• Total savings: $24 on top of the sale price

8. Unsubscribe from Marketing Emails (or Create Filters)

One of the leading causes of Black Friday spending is all the targeted ads and personalized product recommendations we get.

Action steps:

• Unsubscribe from retailers not on your list

• Create a "Black Friday" email folder and filter promotional emails there

• Turn off personalized ads in your browser settings

• Opt out of tailored ads on connected TVs

Result: You'll only see deals from stores you actually plan to shop at, drastically reducing impulse pressure.

Smartly navigate Black Friday with The Money Wise guide—focus on value, make informed decisions, and optimize your savings this shopping season.

Answers to Your Black Friday Questions

Can You Get Cheaper Holidays on Black Friday?

Yes! Black Friday is one of the few times of year that brands like Mejuri, lululemon, and Le Creuset offer rare markdowns. Travel deals, hotel bookings, and vacation packages are also heavily discounted during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Best travel deals to watch:

• Flight bookings (Air Canada, WestJet)

• Hotel packages (Expedia, Booking.com)

• Vacation bundles through Rakuten Travel

Is It Cheaper to Buy on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

It depends on what you're shopping for. Electronics and major appliances are typically cheaper on Black Friday; fashion and smaller gadgets tend to shine on Cyber Monday.

Smart move: When you buy something on Black Friday, check for a lower price Cyber Monday. If it is cheaper, then ask for an adjustment. Many Canadian retailers offer price matching during this period.

Is It Better to Buy During Black Friday or Christmas?

For most items, Black Friday offers better discounts. However, clothing and fashion items often see deeper markdowns as you get closer to the end of December (Boxing Day sales). Electronics and home goods are cheapest during Black Friday.

Strategy: Buy big-ticket electronics and appliances on Black Friday. Wait for Boxing Week (December 26 onward) for final clothing clearances.

Navigate Black Friday with ease using our Smart Shopping Guide. Make informed decisions and achieve substantial savings while staying within your budget.

Your Black Friday Action Plan

Here's your step-by-step checklist:

This Week (Before November 29):

• [ ] Set your Black Friday budget

• [ ] Create your shopping list (gifts, household needs, personal items)

• [ ] Research current prices for items on your list

• [ ] Sign up for cashback apps (Rakuten.ca, GCR, TopCashback)

• [ ] Check which retailers offer price matching

• [ ] Unsubscribe from promotional emails (except stores on your list)

Black Friday Weekend (November 29 – December 2):

• [ ] Shop early deals online to avoid crowds

• [ ] Use the 24-hour rule for any unplanned purchases

• [ ] Click through cashback apps before every purchase

• [ ] Track your spending in real-time (budgeting app or notebook)

• [ ] Avoid store credit card offers

• [ ] Save all receipts (for returns and price adjustments)

After Black Friday:

• [ ] Review Cyber Monday prices for anything you bought Friday

• [ ] Request price adjustments if items dropped further

• [ ] Return anything you regret buying

• [ ] Celebrate staying within budget!

Final Thoughts: Make Black Friday Work for You

Over 70% of Canadians shop during the holiday sales period — but only a fraction do it strategically. This year, you're in that smart fraction.

Black Friday isn't about buying everything on sale. It's about buying what you need at the best possible price — and using the money you save to build wealth, pay down debt, or invest in your future.

Remember:

• Budget first, shop second

• Research prices before the sale

• Use cashback apps for double savings

• Wait 24 hours for impulse purchases

• Compare Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday prices

Let's make your money work harder — join us at The Money Wise.

Ready to share your Black Friday wins? Tag us on Instagram @themoneywise.ca or Facebook at facebook.com/TMWJDR.

Navigate Black Friday with confidence: Your ultimate guide to making smart shopping decisions and maximizing savings. Smart money choices start here!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and services we personally use and believe will add value to our readers.

Published: November 25, 2025 

Author: The Money Wise  

Categories: Budgeting, Holiday Shopping, Saving Money 

Tags: Black Friday Canada, Cyber Monday 2025, Holiday Budget, Smart Shopping, Cashback Apps

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