The Black Friday ‘Deal’ Test: 5 Questions To Ask Before You Buy Anything
In 2026, Black Friday is, to put it mildly, out of control. The sales extravaganza starts in October and doesn’t end until Christmas.
Across all sectors retailers are slashing prices. You’ll find sales on everything, from swimming pools to insects (see PetSmart’s sale). It’s a lot of marketing noise to navigate, and it’s no wonder so many of us end up caving for sales that either aren’t worth it or trip us into breaking our budgets.
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There’s an easy way to “test” whether a Black Friday deal is or isn’t worth it. All you have to do is ask yourself five questions before you buy anything.
1. ‘Does It Fit Within My Budget?’
If it’s going on a credit card you can’t pay off in full next month, this item is a bad deal – not necessarily for everyone, but for you.
“No deal is really saving you money if it’s putting you into debt, especially high-interest credit card debt,” said Elisabella Ricca, a personal finance and consumer analyst at TopCashback.com. “The consequence of spending more money than you can afford can affect your finances long after the holiday season is over. You may be left with debt that charges you interest for months after the transaction.”
2. ‘Is This a Want or a Need?’
If you’re on a frugal budget this fall, you may not have the luxury of buying much for yourself during Black Friday. In that case, you’re going to really need to scrutinize whether you’re not just “adding to cart” something you want but don’t actually need.
“No matter how great the price – take a breath and ask yourself if it’s truly something you need, and that fits with your goals and budget,” said Austin Kilgore, analyst with the Achieve Center for Consumer Insights, part of digital personal finance company Achieve.
3. ‘Would I Buy It If It Weren’t on Sale?’
Take a moment to reflect on if whatever you’re hungrily adding to your cart is something you would purchase if it weren’t being offered at a reduced price. If it’s something that you haven’t had your eye on for a while, it’s probably not something you need and possibly not even something you really want.
4. ‘Can I Get Something Just Like It for Less?’
Once you are financially confident about buying something, you should not only compare prices at other retailers, but also determine whether you can’t get a very similar product for less.
For example, say Target is offering the best price on a certain Sony TV model. Ask yourself whether there isn’t a similar product by, say, Samsung, that is just as good but offered at an even better price.
5. ‘What Is the Return Policy?’
Know the ins and outs of the store’s return policy before jumping on a deal. This is particularly important if you’re holiday shopping.
“If it’s a holiday gift that won’t be opened until a month or more later, it’s important to check the return or exchange policy,” Ricca said. “Some retailers have extended holiday return windows, but it’s important to verify this. If your recipient wants to return or exchange the item and it’s past the policy, it could result in wasted money.”
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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