How to Shop Smarter This Black Friday

I know, I know. Black Friday is ANNOYING. Every single brand is emailing you, every advert is screaming about the biggest sale ever, and suddenly everything you’ve ever looked at online is apparently 70% off.

As a content creator, I’m very aware that I’m contributing to the Black Friday madness too. But I also genuinely love saving money, finding a good discount code and getting cashback on absolutely everything I possibly can.

I’m a cashback girlie through and through, and I absolutely refuse to pay full price if I don’t have to.

Here’s the thing. If you’re planning on spending money between now and Christmas, whether that’s on presents, beauty products, household essentials or something expensive you’ve needed for ages, this is the time to start looking at prices.

Not because every Black Friday deal is amazing, because plenty aren’t, but because planning your purchases now could save you a considerable amount of money later.

Black Friday 2026 officially falls on Friday 27th November, with Cyber Monday following on Monday 30th November. However, many retailers have already started their sales much earlier, with Amazon Black Friday happening now, but officially on the 19th. To be honest, it’s a bit confusing.

Here are all the ways I’m shopping smarter this Black Friday, including my favourite cashback websites, discount code tricks and ways to make everyday spending work harder.

1. I’m planning my Christmas shopping NOW, not in December

If you’re going to buy Christmas presents anyway, why wouldn’t you check whether you can get them cheaper in November?

I’m not suggesting everyone should go out and spend hundreds of pounds just because there’s a sale on. Quite the opposite.

I’m looking at what I already need to buy, making a list and checking whether those things are genuinely cheaper during Black Friday.

There’s actually some research to support shopping earlier. MoneySavingExpert found that 37 out of 50 popular products it tracked were cheaper on Black Friday 2024 than in the lead-up to Christmas.

That doesn’t guarantee the same results this year, but it’s definitely a reason to start looking before December.

My biggest tip? Make a list of everything you’re already planning on buying before you even look at the sales.

2. For expensive purchases, I’m thinking about customer service and returns

This is something I think people forget when they’re looking for the cheapest possible price.

If I’m spending hundreds of pounds on something, I want to know I’m going to be looked after if anything goes wrong.

Personally, I absolutely love Amazon for this.

I’ve had consistently brilliant experiences with their customer service, which is why I often prefer buying expensive items through Amazon rather than somewhere I’ve never shopped before.

I’m talking air fryers, air conditioning units, household appliances, technology and all those bigger purchases.

It’s also worth looking at things you might not need until next year. Air conditioning units, fans, garden equipment and other seasonal products could be worth checking while everyone else is concentrating on Christmas presents.

And yeah, I’ve said air conditioning units twice now, in November, because they’ve been absolutely out of stock everywhere ALL year around and now is the time to buy one so you don’t end up sweating to death next summer.

Obviously, I’m still comparing prices. Amazon isn’t automatically the cheapest, and I always check who is actually selling the item rather than assuming everything is sold directly by Amazon.

Amazon also has extended Christmas returns on many eligible purchases, although different products and sellers can have different policies. And of course, a return window isn’t the same thing as a warranty or your statutory consumer rights.

My rule is simple: the cheapest retailer isn’t always the best value if their after-sales service is terrible.

I’ve also put together an Amazon storefront featuring products I use, love and recommend.

3. I’m checking for content creator discount codes before buying ANYTHING

I cannot stress this enough.

Before you buy something, search for a discount code!

And don’t just rely on the offers advertised on the brand’s website.

Some of the best discounts I’ve found are exclusive codes given to content creators. You might find a code that gives you an additional saving or even beats the main sale offer.

I always check Google, Instagram and sometimes TikTok to see whether anyone has shared a current discount code.

As a content creator myself, I’ve got a whole collection of exclusive codes from brands I work with, covering everything from beauty and skincare to lifestyle products.

You can find all my exclusive discount codes here: exclusive discount codes.

I’ve worked with brands for years, and I love being able to share extra savings with my readers.

One important thing to remember is that discount codes aren’t always stackable with existing promotions, so check the final price before you buy.

Some of my biggest discount codes this year:

I’ve been lucky enough to work with some incredible beauty and skincare technology brands this year, and I’ve managed to secure some brilliant discount codes to share with you!

If you’ve been thinking about investing in an LED face mask, microcurrent device or at-home laser hair removal, these are definitely worth checking before you buy.

Brand	My Exclusive Code	Discount	Shop Here
CurrentBody	GEORGINALED	20% off	Shop CurrentBody
ZIIP Beauty	GEORGINAZIIP	20% off	Shop ZIIP
Tria Beauty	GEORGINAGTRIA	20% off	Shop Tria

These are some of my favourite brands, and I’ve personally used their beauty devices, so you can also find my reviews and recommendations across the blog.

Discounts and exclusions can change, particularly during Black Friday, so always check the final price before purchasing.

For even more savings, don’t forget to browse all my exclusive discount codes before checking out!

4. TopCashback or Quidco. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

If you’re shopping online and you’re not checking whether you can earn cashback, you’re potentially leaving money on the table.

I am obsessed with cashback.

TopCashback and Quidco are two of the biggest cashback websites in the UK, and the idea is incredibly simple.

Instead of going directly to a retailer’s website, you visit the retailer through the cashback platform. If your purchase qualifies and tracks successfully, you can earn a percentage or fixed amount back.

I check cashback before almost every online purchase, whether I’m buying clothes, beauty products, household essentials or booking something for a trip.

And the savings can really add up over time.

It’s worth checking both TopCashback and Quidco because their offers can differ, and one might have a better rate than the other.

One thing to be careful with is combining cashback with discount codes. Some retailers won’t pay cashback if you’ve used a code that wasn’t approved by the cashback website, but a lot of the time they do.

So before checking out, compare the savings and make sure you understand the terms. Cashback also isn’t guaranteed until it’s been confirmed.

But genuinely, if you haven’t got into the habit of checking cashback websites yet, Black Friday is the perfect time to start.

5. I’m using Sprive to get money towards my mortgage from everyday spending

This one is especially interesting if you’ve got a mortgage.

Sprive is an app that helps you put extra money towards your mortgage through everyday spending.

One of its features lets you buy digital shopping cards for participating retailers and earn rewards that you can use towards mortgage overpayments.

So instead of just spending money on your normal shopping, you can potentially earn something back towards your mortgage.

We use Sprive for everyday purchases, and I always think it’s worth checking whether there’s a good offer before paying directly.

For example, if you’re already planning to spend £100 at a retailer and Sprive is offering 5% back, that’s £5 towards your mortgage for shopping you were going to do anyway.

Rates vary by retailer, so always check what’s available in the app.

Something important to understand is that Sprive shopping rewards aren’t ordinary cash you can withdraw to your bank account. They’re intended for mortgage overpayments, and shopping cards have their own terms and restrictions.

6. I’m checking whether my existing bank cards offer cashback or rewards

Here’s something you can do in about two minutes.

Open your banking app and have a look at what rewards your existing cards offer.

You might already have access to retailer cashback offers, shopping rewards, loyalty points or other perks that you’ve completely forgotten about.

Some debit cards and bank accounts offer cashback at selected retailers, while certain credit cards reward eligible everyday spending.

And if you’re spending money anyway, why not check whether you could be getting something back?

Personally, I love anything that makes money I’m already spending work harder.

However, I would never recommend spending more just to earn points, and credit card rewards are only worthwhile if you’re managing your spending responsibly.

If you use a cashback credit card, paying it off in full each month is important because interest charges can easily outweigh any rewards you’ve earned.

For larger purchases, it’s also worth understanding Section 75 protection, which can apply to qualifying purchases costing more than £100 and up to £30,000 when you pay directly by credit card.

Sometimes the smartest saving isn’t another percentage off. It’s having extra protection if something goes wrong.

7. I’m checking whether Black Friday deals are ACTUALLY deals

Just because something says 50% off doesn’t mean you’re getting a bargain.

This is probably one of the most important things on this list.

Retailers love showing you an enormous discount against an original price, but how often was the product actually sold for that price?

Research published by Which? found that 83% of products it analysed during the 2024 Black Friday sales period had been available for the same price or less at another point outside that period.

Which is quite eye-opening.

For Amazon purchases they have an inbuilt price checker now which I think is really great.

You can also compare retailers using Google Shopping and other price comparison tools.

I want to know whether I’m actually saving money, not just whether the website has put a massive red discount sticker next to something.

And sometimes the smartest thing you can do is wait.

8. I’m stacking savings wherever the terms allow

This is where things get really exciting for me.

Because why settle for one saving when you might be able to get several?

Imagine you’ve already got something on your shopping list.

You find it discounted in a sale, check whether there’s an eligible cashback offer and pay using a card that rewards your spending.

Potentially, you’ve saved money on the product itself, earned cashback and collected card rewards.

Obviously, not every retailer allows you to combine different offers, discount codes and payment methods.

Some cashback programmes exclude purchases made with gift cards or external promotional codes, so I always check the terms first.

The goal isn’t to use every single money-saving method. It’s to work out which combination gives you the best overall value.

I also look at things like delivery charges, minimum spends and whether the discount is actually worth it.

There’s no point adding £30 worth of things you don’t need just to qualify for free delivery.

9. I’m looking at next year’s purchases, not just Christmas presents

This is something I want to get better at doing.

When Black Friday comes around, everyone immediately starts thinking about Christmas shopping.

But what about everything you’ll need in January, February or even next summer?

Maybe you know your air fryer desperately needs replacing, you want a new fan or air conditioning unit for the warmer months, or there’s a household appliance you’ve been considering.

You might even be planning a holiday and want to look at luggage, travel accessories or things you’ll need before you go.

If they’re already on your list, now is a good opportunity to compare prices.

Of course, seasonal products aren’t guaranteed to be cheapest during Black Friday, so research is still important.

But I absolutely love the idea of buying something at a genuine discount now rather than waiting until I urgently need it and having to pay whatever it costs.

Planning ahead can be just as valuable as finding a brilliant discount code.

10. I’m remembering that not buying something is still saving money

I love a bargain, but I think this is worth saying.

If something costs £100 and it’s reduced to £60, you’ve only saved £40 if you were genuinely going to buy it.

Otherwise, you’ve spent £60.

Black Friday is designed to encourage spending, and all the countdown timers, limited offers and enormous discounts can make it feel like you’re missing out if you don’t buy something.

You’re not.

If you can’t afford something, don’t need it or weren’t particularly interested in it before the sale, there’s absolutely no reason to purchase it just because it’s discounted.

My approach this year is to make the most of the spending I already have planned rather than find excuses to buy more things.

11. If you’re Disabled, make sure you’re using disability discount schemes!

This is one I genuinely wish more people knew about.

Purpl Discounts is a discount platform for Disabled people and people with long-term health conditions, offering savings on everything from food shopping and household essentials to beauty, technology and travel.

I’ve literally just used it to get 35% off my Ocado food shop and three months of free delivery! It’s an introductory offer for eligible new customers spending at least £90, so check the terms.

And that’s just one of the offers available.

Purpl has a paid membership, starting at £1 a month when billed annually, but depending on how often you use the discounts, the savings could easily outweigh the cost.

You can sign up using my link or use my exclusive code GEORGINAGROGAN.

If you’re eligible, it’s definitely worth checking what discounts are available before you shop.

Black Friday 2026

I completely understand why people are fed up with Black Friday.

There are so many sales, so many adverts and so many people telling you that you absolutely NEED to buy something.

And I’m well aware of the irony of writing a Black Friday shopping guide as a content creator who shares affiliate links!

But I genuinely think that if you’re already planning to spend money between now and Christmas, you should be thinking about those purchases now rather than leaving everything until the last minute.

Make a list. Check the prices. Look for creator discount codes. Compare TopCashback and Quidco. Check Sprive and any rewards you might already have available.

And most importantly, think about what you’re actually buying and whether it’s good value for you.

I’m all about getting the absolute most out of my money, and if I can help you save a little bit too, even better.

Don’t forget to check out my exclusive discount codes and Amazon Storefront for more of my favourite products and savings.

Happy bargain hunting!