November Is the Month for Deals

Retailers have been kicking off the holiday season earlier and earlier in the year, but nearly 60 percent of consumers still weren’t planning to start their holiday shopping until November or December, according to Gallup.  

If you’re among the shoppers getting started now — or if you haven’t finished checking all the gifts off your list yet — there are plenty of opportunities this month to save on holiday gifts or on purchases that you need for yourself. You’ll see a handful of discounts over Veterans Day weekend, but the biggest sales will appear on or near Black Friday, which falls on November 24 this year. Cyber Monday is November 27. While Black Friday used to be a one-day event, many stores now launch their Black Friday deals days or even weeks ahead of the date itself.

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“Because Black Friday now encompasses the entire month of November, the best way to approach shopping is to know what you want to purchase ahead of time and know your budget,” says Julie Ramhold, a senior staff writer and consumer analyst at DealNews. “Then, when you see a deal, whether it’s the first week of November or the last week of November, you’ll know whether it’s worth buying.”

Here’s a look at some of the categories where, according to shopping experts, you’ll find sales this time of year, as well as where to shop and how much you could possibly save:

Larger tech purchases

You’ll find the best prices of the year on large devices, such as televisions, gaming systems and computers on Black Friday. Big box stores see big electronic sales as doorbusters to get customers into their doors or onto websites, where they might make additional purchases. However, it’s important to pay close attention to the model information on devices.

“The biggest discounts are typically on older models, and that might not be exactly what you’re looking for, so make sure you know what’s being discounted,” says Kimberly Palmer, a spokesperson with the personal finance website Nerdwallet.

Where to find deals: Best Buy, Target, Walmart

Potential savings: 50 percent off or more on Black Friday

Household appliances

Items like mixers, air fryers and espresso machines have risen to the top of many gift lists for the holidays, and retailers know that lots of folks might also be sprucing up their own homes for holiday hosting.

“Anything related to cooking is discounted this month, that includes all kinds of kitchen appliances, but also on other home appliances like vacuum cleaners and air filters,” Palmer says. “We see huge discounts across all those categories.”

You’ll find the best deals at departments stores and warehouse stores. Keep an eye out for coupons and online coupon codes to save even more. Since multiple stores often carry the same inventory of home appliances, be sure to shop around to make sure you’re getting the best price.

Where to find deals: Macy’s, Kohl’s, Costco

Potential savings: Up to 50 percent off