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Black Friday deals 2026: How to stay on budget
Experts say setting a spending cap and tracking every purchase can help shoppers avoid card debt after holiday sales.
With Black Friday 2026 approaching on Friday, Nov. 27, financial experts urge shoppers to establish a set dollar amount rather than a list of sales to avoid holiday debt.
Retailers often use psychological tactics to prompt impulse buys, so shoppers should track prices well before Black Friday to determine if advertised deals offer genuine value.
Carrying a $1,000 balance at 22% interest significantly increases holiday costs, while 11% of BNPL users experienced bank overdraft fees, making savings a safer option than credit.
To maintain control, shoppers should record every purchase using a spreadsheet or budgeting app while monitoring delivery fees during the five days from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday.
According to the National Retail Federation, a record 202.9 million people shopped during the 2025 holiday weekend, spending an average of $337.86, while BNPL usage reached 16% in October 2025.