Black Friday or Cyber Monday? Use One List for Both Weekends
- Use one list, not two
- What tends to differ
- The rule for Monday
- Count returns and price drops too
- Tools that help
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are four days apart, and many stores run the same offers through both. The risk is not missing a deal. It is buying the same kind of thing twice because each day feels like a new chance.
Use one list, not two
Keep a single list for the whole weekend: item, who it is for, the most you will pay, and a column for “bought on” with the date and the price. When Monday arrives you can see what is already done and what is left.
What tends to differ
- In-store vs online: some doorbuster offers are only in shops on Friday; Monday offers are online by definition.
- Electronics and software: these often appear on both days, so a price you see on Friday may come back on Monday.
- Flash deals: short time limits push you to decide fast. If the item is not on your list, let the timer run out.
None of this is guaranteed, so treat it as a reason to check, not a reason to wait or rush.
The rule for Monday
Before buying on Cyber Monday, check three things:
- Is the item on the list and not already bought?
- Is the price at or under your maximum?
- After this purchase, is the total still inside the budget?
If any answer is no, skip it.
Count returns and price drops too
If something you bought on Friday is cheaper on Monday, check the store’s price adjustment or return policy. Record any refund in the same list, so your weekend total stays accurate.
Tools that help
- Black Friday Deal Tracker spreadsheet ($2.99, Google Sheets + Excel): set a total, track target vs sale prices, and see spent, saved and left, per person and in total: https://smartbudgetsheet.gumroad.com/l/ykmstz?utm_source=nostr&utm_campaign=bf_article
- Black Friday budget calculator: https://smartbudgetsheets.surge.sh/calculators/black-friday-budget-calculator/?utm_source=nostr
- Discount calculator: https://smartbudgetsheets.surge.sh/calculators/discount-calculator/?utm_source=nostr
- Price in Work Hours, a free Chrome extension that shows prices as hours of your work: https://smartbudgetsheets.surge.sh/extensions/price-in-work-hours/?utm_source=nostr
- 42 free budget templates, pay what you want ($0 is fine): https://smartbudgetsheet.gumroad.com/l/ngpkrb?utm_source=nostr
General information, not financial advice.
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