(Reading time: 3 minutes)

Ah, Black Friday, the blissful day of shoppers’ rage and roaring crowds vandalising malls everywhere. One might say Black Friday deals awaken a thirst for blood because on this day malls become spartan battlefields, where wallets bleed dry and someone might lose an eye. But it’s all in good fun, who doesn’t enjoy prying the last air fryer from an old lady’s arms? However, as fun as it has been, Black Friday has changed. The battlefield has moved to the land of pixels and codes—your phones and laptops. So stop shopping the outdated way, here are 5 Black Friday shopping mistakes you’ve been making and how to avoid them. 

(PS: If you read far enough, you might just find an insanely good Black Friday online deal).

Mistake #1: Thinking Black Friday Is Just One Day

Newsflash: it’s no longer Black “FRIDAY”; it’s now Black “WEEK”—some companies even extend it to two! Sadly, that means the once-a-year crowd chaos is mostly history. Black Friday 2024 is on the 29th of November, but many deals start as early as the 25th (perfect timing with payday!).

Pro tips:

• Start Early: Beat the rush by shopping before the actual Black Friday.
• Plan Your Shopping: Map out which stores to visit and which items to buy online. For  example: Book flights well in advance before the masses start scrambling for them. 

Mistake #2: Ignoring Online Black Friday Deals

This may come as a surprise but you see the device you are reading this on? It can do way more than just let you read blog posts. Most people (looking at you, Boomers and Gen Xers) still love the “classic” Black Friday: hitting the store, lining up, and maybe even paying cash (can’t trust cards, right?).

Pro tip:

• Your phone is your bestie: Imagine chilling on a beach in the Maldives and buying a fridge at the same time. Yeah your phone can make that happen. 

Cut the commute and the queues by shopping online. If you still choose to be afraid of technology, there’s a word for that—Technophobia. Don’t be a technophobe, it’s so 1956. 

Mistake #3: Shopping Without a Black Friday Budget

Stop spending like you have a trust fund to fall back on, even if you do, stop it! 

Set a budget. It will be your safety net so when you shop till you drop, you won’t drop flat on your face. Put yourself on a short leash (or medium leash, totally up to you) and once you reach it, stop spending.

Pro tip: 

• Loyalty programs: Newsflash: coupons got a facelift, they are now called loyalty programs. Imagine shaving off a couple of hundred off your grocery shopping just by swiping a loyalty card. Getting a few extra pumps of petrol for less (heaven knows we need it with this economy) or getting R5000 flight vouchers with Travelstart+ (not pulling your leg, it’s real).

The point of Black Friday is to save (not spend) as much as possible, remember the December joys are followed by the “Januworries”, so don’t empty your bank account just yet. Be money-conscious, stock up the pantry before the cellar, visit budget-friendly destinations and for the love of all that is pure, stop swiping without checking the price! 

Mistake #4: Falling for Fake Black Friday Deals

Not all that glitters is a Black Friday deal. While you’re hunting for discounts, companies are out to profit, and not every “deal” is as sweet as it seems (it’s a dog-eat-dog world, after all). 

Want to beat them at their own game? 

• Skip impulse buying 
• Stick to your budget.
• Do your research
• Think like you’re broke and every cent counts. 

But hey, not every deal’s a trick! As promised, here is an insanely good deal to reward you for reading this far: MSC Musica is offering a 4-night cruise to Pomene, Mozambique, for just R1. That’s right, one rand! Ts&Cs apply, of course.

Oh, and stay tuned—Travelstart is cooking up something too good to miss! We can’t say anything yet (we wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise) but just keep your eyes glued to our newsletters. 

Mistake #5: Not Reading The Fine Print on Black Friday Deals

The devil’s in the fine print! Those tiny words hiding under the big “SALE” sign? They’re exactly what you should read. Companies have to be transparent by law, but they’re hoping you skip the details. Without checking the Ts and Cs, you might miss hidden fees or no-refund policies—and end up buying a mountain of regret. 

Sure, it’s boring, but sometimes the fine print holds hidden perks which stores hope you’ll overlook. So, grab a magnifying glass and dive in!

Speaking of magnifying glasses, did you know the world’s largest one is in Lancaster, near Las Vegas? You should go see it!

Embrace the New Black Friday—Minus the Chaos

We’ve all had a love-hate thing with Black Friday, and some of us even have scars to prove it. But it’s time to let go of the battle tactics—no more uppercuts or tug-of-war with little old ladies over a toaster. Those days are over. Breathe easy; you’re safe now.

Here’s a head start to Black Friday 2024! Get discounts on flights, accommodation and holiday packages. Don’t be left staring at the sky while others take off, sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know when our Black Friday sale goes live. 

Let your festive season begin with Travelstart, stay glued to our Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for Black Friday madness!

You might also like: Top 10 Tips to Bag The Best Black Friday Deals