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November Is the Month for Deals

Basically, the whole month is Black Friday


spinner image Busy shoppers on a wintery looking holiday decorated street carry bags including one marked "Black Friday"
Getty Images

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.

“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

Apparel

While general winter apparel may not yet be on sale, you can find significant discounts this month on clothing items that are popular gifts. You’ll see the best deals on items like cashmere sweaters, hat-and-glove sets and fall clothing like denim and flannels. Look for bigger sales from clothing-specific retailers.

Where to find deals: Gap, J. Crew, Amazon

Potential savings: 20 percent to 40 percent off

Beauty

You’ll find discounted skincare, makeup and beauty accessories at department stores, drug stores and beauty-specific retailers around Black Friday, but there may be some deals available earlier in the month. One way to find value in this category this month is by purchasing bundled sets created specifically for gifting. These sets do make great gifts but might also be a way to upgrade your own medicine cabinet at a discount.

Where to find deals: Sephora, Ulta, ColourPop

Potential savings: 20 to 50 percent off

Holiday leftovers

Expect clearance sales on all things spooky or orange as soon as the calendar flips to November. This is a great opportunity to find deals on decorations or a timeless costume for next year. It’s also the cheapest time of the year to purchase candy at drugstores or supermarkets, with the biggest discounts on snack-sized candy with Halloween-related packaging. You’ll see the same thing with all Thanksgiving-themed items as soon as that holiday has passed.

 “If you can take advantage of that and stock up on supplies for next year, there’s immense value there,” says Brad Godwin, senior vice president and head of retail partnerships at Shopkick.

 Where to find deals: Halloween pop up stores, Homegoods, PartyCity

Potential savings: 80 percent or more

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