Black Friday used to be called the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season, but the deals have begun way before the Thanksgiving turkey hit the oven.

With discounts, yes at It’s okay to pass up, it’s easy to enthusiastically add just about anything to your cart, but it’s important to take the time to really understand what’s worth your money and what isn’t.

According to a recent Bain & Company report, U.S. retail sales between Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday will “increase 5% for the first time ever to $75 billion.” This is no surprise, as online shopping offers great convenience, shopping options, and research options compared to in-person shopping.

RELATED: Black Friday 2024 predictions and trends, according to shopping experts

Our Post Wanted team consists of professional product testers, deal hunters and brand professionals. That’s why we’re so committed to helping you find the best deals on Black Friday and beyond. That’s why we’re telling you *exactly* what to buy (and what to avoid!) so you’re best prepared for all the savings to be found on the internet.

“In recent years we have seen significant changes in holiday sales periods; instead of limiting themselves to just two days, retailers are now starting sales earlier and extending them longer,” Ally Anderson, director of strategy and insights at LTK with more than 10 years of experience in digital marketing strategy, told The Post. “This shift aligns with consumer shopping habits, which have evolved to start holiday shopping earlier in the season. Our recent LTK survey of holiday shoppers confirms this and shows a growing trend of consumers starting their holiday shopping well before Black Friday. According to the survey, 58% of the general population will start shopping by the end of October.”

What to buy on Black Friday 2024

Smart TVs

As you can imagine, smart TVs come in thousands of different models and are among the best product categories to browse on Black Friday. After all, Black Friday is known for big discounts on technology, including laptops, smartphones, tablets, smart home devices and TVs. Pro tip: Look for deals on older models, as retailers are often eager to clear out last year’s inventory to make room for new releases.

Coffee makers

One of our favorite kitchen products to recommend to Post Wanted readers is a new coffee maker, and Black Friday is one of the best times – if not the best time – to buy one. From our experience researching Black Friday products and price history, this is the ideal time to pick up top brands like Keurig and Nespresso, along with cheap espresso machines for less.

Korean skin care

Over the past few years, we’ve surprisingly seen some of the best deals on Korean skin care. Items like facial sunscreen, skin-boosting cleansers, and toners (like COSRX’s viral Snail Mucin) are massively discounted. If you want to adopt a new skincare routine or buy products that moisturize and benefit your skin, Black Friday is the time.

What to avoid on Black Friday 2024

It’s no surprise that we love to shop, but there are a few items we recommend skipping for the most part. Naturally, you’ll want to follow our coverage in the run-up to Black Friday – and, during the Black Friday weekend itself – should any of these product categories have a can’t-miss deal:

Newly released electronics: While older tech models can be a bargain, newly released gadgets are often only marginally discounted. Brands like Apple, Samsung and Sony usually release their latest smartphones, laptops and wearables in the fall, and you’ll rarely find a good deal on them during Black Friday.

So if you’re in the market for the latest iPhone or MacBook, we recommend waiting for a deeper price cut later this year or after the holidays.

Fitness equipment: While fitness equipment often gets a lot of promotion on Black Friday, many of these deals aren’t necessarily great value. Items like treadmills, exercise bikes, or elliptical machines may be a few hundred dollars cheaper, but in retrospect this may only be a 10% or 20% discount, which isn’t exactly a typical deal.

Additionally, the fitness equipment market has seen a downturn following the pandemic, as people sprinted to buy treadmills, walking pads for their standing desks, and rowing machines to complete their at-home gyms. Some of the bigger brands have seen price inflation or a reduction in quality.

That said, you can find better deals on items like dumbbells, kettlebells, or resistance bands, which tend to be cheaper and offer a better value.

Fast fashion clothing: Cheap fashion retailers often offer Black Friday discounts, but the items on sale may be part of trends that won’t last long. Instead of going for clothes that are very trendy or designed to last only one season, opt for classic pieces that have lasting value.

Black Friday 2024 Shopping Tips

As mentioned, this isn’t our first rodeo covering all things Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday. Ahead, you’ll find our insider shopping tips to take with you as you browse site after site, discount after discount.

• Do your research and compare prices: Know the regular prices of the items you want to buy. This will help you determine if the discount is really a good deal (don’t worry, the Post Wanted team works around the clock to make sure the deal we’re promoting is *actually* the very best, otherwise we’ll recommend an alternative to brand as a whole.
• Make a list and stick to it: It’s easy to get distracted by blinking “Sale!‘to draw. Make a list of what you need and focus on those items.
• Buy online early: Many online retailers release their Black Friday deals early. This gives you a head start and avoids the crowds.

Your frequently asked questions about Black Friday, answered by shopping experts

When is Thanksgiving 2024?

Thanksgiving is late this year and noticeable Thursday November 282024.

When is Black Friday 2024?

This year will see Black Friday and the long-awaited sales Friday November 292024.

Are early Black Friday deals worth shopping?

We recommend shopping early for items that are likely to sell out, such as perennial gift favorites like Xbox, Ugg Boots, PS5, Apple AirPods, the editor-approved Dyson AirWrap, and more.

Can I buy Black Friday sales online?

Yes! Most stores and mass retailers continue to hold traditional Black Friday sales in stores as well as match discounts for online shoppers. According to the National Retail Federation, Black Friday has topped Cyber ​​Monday as the busiest day of the calendarar for online shopping since 2019.

Why is it called ‘Black Friday’?

The earliest use of ‘Black Friday’ as we know it dates back to the 1950s or 1960s, with ‘black’ nodding to the dreaded traffic jams caused by shoppers crowding downtown stores, as well as understaffed sales associates. Retailers tried to rename the day ‘Big Friday’, to signify a day of family fun and shopping. Although the rebrand didn’t stick, the positive connotation did. Retail companies benefit from increased sales, and consumers benefit from corresponding discounts for holiday purchases.

Despite being a great day for retailers, Black Friday still taps into the dark side of American consumerism as many will remember the violent crowds competing for limited merchandise. However, with the rise of internet shopping, retailers and e-tailers have continued to post record sales in recent years, without the morbid mob mentality ushering in the holidays.

When is Cyber ​​Monday 2024?

This year the online shopping holiday Cyber ​​​​Monday takes place Monday December 22024.

What is better: Black Friday or Cyber ​​Monday?

The short answer is: it depends. Some retailers approach Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday differently, offering discounts on different brands and products during the days after Thanksgiving, sometimes at different prices.

Traditionally, Cyber ​​Monday offers retailers the opportunity to offer deeper discounts on products that are already on sale. However, consumers should be careful: waiting for Cyber ​​Monday carries the risk that products, or certain sizes or models, will sell out.

Conversely, some stores don’t differentiate between their Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday sales.

When is Travel Tuesday 2024?

Jetsetters rejoice: Travel Tuesday, with its great deals on flights, hotels, cruises, all-inclusives and more, will take place on Tuesday December 32024.

Where can I find the best offers?

Here! Follow Post Wanted shopping coverage for all the Black Friday, Cyber ​​Monday, and Travel Tuesday deals worth your coin in 2024.

For more than 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s source for bold news, compelling stories, in-depth reporting and now insightful shopping advice. We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on topics for which we’re not yet trained specialists to make useful, realistic product recommendations based on our comprehensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest. We clearly label affiliate content and indicate if we receive anything through affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update the content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and humor), and ensure our links work. Please note that offers may expire and all prices are subject to change.