How to Get the Most Out of Black Friday| Smart Savings Tips

How to Get the Most Out of Black Friday (Without Overspending)

Black Friday can be brilliant for savings — but it can also be a trap. With so many “limited time” offers and flashing discounts, it’s easy to feel like you have to buy something… even when you don’t really need it.

At Custard, we want you to save money, not waste it. So here’s a genuinely useful, caring guide to help you get the absolute most from Black Friday, without falling into the hype. And of course — when you’re ready to purchase, you can maximise your savings with instant cashback via the Custard Gift Card app. Win-win.

1. Start With a Plan (Your Bank Account Will Thank You)

The biggest mistake people make on Black Friday?
Buying things simply because they’re cheap.

Before the sales start, write down the things you already want or need. For example:

Christmas gifts
Tech upgrades (like TVs, laptops, or headphones)
Home improvements
Clothing and footwear
Furniture
Kitchen appliances

Having a list keeps you focused — and it stops you from getting sucked into impulse buys you’ll regret in December.

2. Set a Budget — And Stick to It

Black Friday is supposed to save you money… not drain your account. Set a realistic budget for:

What you can afford
What you’re comfortable spending
What you’re planning to buy

Even better: load your budget into gift cards via the Custard Gift Card app. It’s an easy way to control spending and earn instant cashback before you’ve even made a purchase.

3. Check Price History (Don’t Get Fooled by Fake Discounts)

Just because a retailer says “WAS £299, NOW £199” doesn’t mean the product has ever actually sold at £299.

Luckily, there are tools that show real price history, so you can quickly see whether you’re actually getting a deal:

Pricespy – great for tracking tech and home appliances
CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon) – shows a full price history
PriceRunner – for comparing big UK retailers

Before buying anything on Black Friday, do a quick price history check.
If the price has been cheaper recently… it’s not a Black Friday deal.

4. Compare Prices Across Multiple Retailers

Big retailers often compete heavily during Black Friday — meaning the exact same product may be £30–£100 cheaper elsewhere.

Before you buy:

Search the product name across a few retailers
Look for included extras (like free delivery or extended warranty)
Check if you can stack extra savings

And don’t forget: if one retailer is cheaper but your favourite offers gift cards via Custard, the cashback might make it the better deal overall.

5. Maximise Your Savings With Custard Gift Cards

This is your biggest secret weapon.

Instead of purchasing directly from the retailer — buy their gift card via the Custard Gift Card app, earn instant cashback, then use the gift card to complete your Black Friday purchase.

Simple example:

Product cost at retailer: £400
Custard gift card cashback: 4%
Instant cashback earned: £16
Total effective cost: £384

You save before you even see the Black Friday discount.

Some retailers available through the app include:

Currys
Argos
B&Q
Tesco
H&M
IKEA
And over 150 more

Not got our new app yet? Download here

6. Watch Out for “Urgency Traps”

Phrases like:

“Only 3 left!”
“5 people are viewing this right now!”
“Sale ends in 29 minutes!”

…are sometimes real, but often psychological nudges designed to push you into a rushed decision.

If the deal is genuine, it will still be good after you’ve taken a minute to think.

7. Don’t Forget to Check the Returns Policy

Some Black Friday purchases have:

Shorter return windows
Exchange-only policies
No refunds on sale items

Always double-check the returns terms before you hit buy — especially with electronics, clothing, and furniture.

8. Keep an Eye Out for Cyber Monday

Not everything is cheapest on Black Friday.

Tech especially — laptops, consoles, headphones — often hit better discounts on Cyber Monday.
So if you miss a deal, don’t panic. There may be an even better one coming.

Final Thought

Black Friday is a great time to save if you shop smartly.
Plan ahead, don’t get caught up in the hype, check price history, and compare offers properly.

And when you’re ready to buy, use the Custard Gift Card app to maximise your savings with instant cashback on every gift card purchase.

If you want another version of this blog, a social cut-down, or a second Black Friday guide focused on specific categories (tech, home, fashion, Christmas shopping), happy to create more!