Saving smart: Aussies hunt for Black Friday deals amid rising costs—here’s how to shop savvy!

As the festive season approaches, Australians are tightening their belts, with many feeling the pinch of the rising cost of living.

It's a time when every dollar counts, and savvy shopping becomes more than just a skill—it's a necessity.

This year, as Black Friday sales beckon with the promise of slashed prices and unbeatable deals, the focus for many Aussies has shifted.


According to recent research from ING, over 4.4 million Australians are gearing up to take advantage of Black Friday deals, with an eye on stocking up on household staples such as toilet paper, dishwashing tablets, and other necessities.

The study reveals that shoppers are planning to spend an average of $184 each, which amounts to a staggering $675 million combined on these essential items.


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Aussies are prioritising essential household items during Black Friday sales due to cost of living pressures. Credit: Facebook / Inside Retail Australia


This shift in consumer behaviour is a direct response to the financial pressures many are facing.

Sydney sales worker Aaron, for example, is turning to Black Friday sales for the first time in hopes of easing his financial burden.

He plans to score deals on a vacuum cleaner, air fryer, dishwashing tablets, and Christmas gifts for his family and friends.


With his rent increased from $290 to $350 per week, Aaron, like many others, is feeling the cumulative effect of even the smallest price jumps on his regular purchases.

‘My rent has gone up pretty substantially in the past six months, especially just because my lease started fresh again, so they renewed it with a higher price,’ Aaron lamented.

‘As well as that, I’ve definitely noticed more things in Woolies have increased pretty dramatically…While some of them may be small increases, when it’s a lot of things that you’re buying very frequently, it starts to add up.’

He mentioned that the cost of living would make Christmas ‘more stressful’ this year, so he hoped that scoring deals on presents would help reduce expenses.

‘I know it’s going to have a bigger impact on my savings than it would in previous years just because everything’s more expensive,’ Aaron said.

He shared that he was managing his budget each month and saving by reducing his Uber Eats orders, as well as using the cashback app Cashrewards and discount app Eat Club for dining out discounts on special occasions.


Black Friday, a sales event that originated in the United States, has seen a surge in popularity in Australia, with 58 per cent of Aussies intending to shop the sales this year.

However, the ING survey also highlights that 40 per cent are planning to skip the event due to budget constraints brought on by the cost of living.

‘This year’s Black Friday survey by ING shows that Australian consumer sentiment may be improving; however, many Aussies are using this year’s sales to shop savvily, spending more on household essentials and buying their Christmas gifts in advance due to the rising cost of living,’ Matt Bowen, ING's Head of Consumer and Market Insights, noted,


According to separate research by Roy Morgan, shoppers are expected to spend a record $6.7 billion during the four-day Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, marking a 5.5 per cent increase from last year.

‘Shoppers are being savvier than ever with their dollars,’ Australian Retailers Association CEO Paul Zahra remarked.

‘They’re looking for the best value when it comes to buying presents for their loved ones, which is why sales events like Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend are consistently growing in popularity.’

‘We are also seeing a continued trend towards spending on little luxuries whilst some broader discretionary categories are forecasted to be in decline,’ he added.


Bowen also urged Australians to be vigilant for scammers during the hectic sales period.

‘As we head into the sales seasons, it’s important to stay vigilant to common scams that could turn savings into nightmares, especially as many scammers look to capitalise on Aussies hunting for a good deal,’ he cautioned.

‘Verify deals via official channels and always check email addresses for legitimacy. Stay alert for fake websites, and remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.’

This year, Black Friday will be on November 29, followed by Cyber Monday on December 2.


As Australians continue to navigate the challenges of the rising cost of living, more savvy shoppers are finding inventive ways to stretch their dollars during this year’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

Whether it's through using cashback apps or strategic budgeting, these deals are becoming an essential part of managing finances in tough times.

But to truly make the most of these shopping events, it’s important to stay ahead of the game.

For those eager to unlock the best discounts and avoid missing out, here’s how you can prepare for the ultimate savings this Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Key Takeaways

  • Aussies are set to focus on purchasing essential household items during Black Friday sales due to cost of living pressures.
  • New research from ING shows that over 4.4 million Australians plan to buy household essentials, spending an average of $184 each.
  • Cost of living increases have affected many Aussies like Sydney sales worker Aaron, who is shopping Black Friday sales for necessary items and Christmas gifts.
  • Black Friday is becoming increasingly popular in Australia, but the cost of living and budget constraints mean some Australians are planning to skip the sales this year.
Have you found any particularly effective ways to save on everyday items? Do you have tips for making the most of sales events like Black Friday? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below, and let's help each other unlock the secrets of financial success during these challenging times.
 
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To be honest I believe The Black Friday sales are all hyped up.

I find better sales during the year.

It's like the boxing day sales the only thing I have found heavily reduced is the Christmas stock eg paper and decorations.

I've been plenty of times to these sales and as I've said I have seen better sales during the year
 
I have noticed that some of the advertised prices for the 'black Friday' sales are actually higher than the prices for the same product, than I have seen, and even purchased, in the last few weeks. Rather like the supermarkets bumping up prices so that they can claim a 'reduction' is actually larger than it really is.
 
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Reactions: BigAl6164
Aaron, Aaron, Aaron - your expenses lie in your stupidity with ordering Uber eats deliveries, among other things. If you cannot go down to Woolworths or Coles to buy the food you need then you have to pay the price. Yes, prices have gone up, I agree, but when are all you stupid young people going to add up all the extra delivery charges you pay to Uber Eats because you are so lazy and then say you cannot afford to live? Get your acts together and see just where you are stupidly wasting so much money. Even some, not all, with a disability could be ordering their groceries (not cooked junk food because you are lazy) and either cooking it at home or having a carer do it for them. There are definitely people who cannot cook for themselves or have a carer do it for them but, really UBER EATS?!! That is just pure laziness if you are an able-bodied person, Aaron. No sympathy from me.

I am now 79 and have NEVER EVER ordered a meal to be home delivered - not even once. Wake up you younger people, stop ordering home deliveries of ready made food because you are lazy and stop BUYING that daily coffee (or two, maybe three) when you can make it at home. SHEER LAZINESS and nothing else.
 
"According to separate research by Roy Morgan, shoppers are expected to spend a record $6.7 billion during the four-day Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, marking a 5.5 per cent increase from last year."

First, this is Australia, not the USA!

Second, if Roy is right, it calls into question the whole "cost of living crisis" scam. Or at least it means we have A LOT of very rich folk spending BIG. I mean - a $6.7 billion spend?! How many meals for how many people and families could that kind of moolah buy? UP 5.5% from last year? Oi weh!!

Third, if Roy's figures are even mildly accurate it shows Black Friday/Cyber Monday are blatant money-grabbing events - and we've fallen for it.

BTW, remember when Black Friday was simply any old Friday 13th and no money was involved ... ?
 
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Aaron, Aaron, Aaron - your expenses lie in your stupidity with ordering Uber eats deliveries, among other things. If you cannot go down to Woolworths or Coles to buy the food you need then you have to pay the price. Yes, prices have gone up, I agree, but when are all you stupid young people going to add up all the extra delivery charges you pay to Uber Eats because you are so lazy and then say you cannot afford to live? Get your acts together and see just where you are stupidly wasting so much money. Even some, not all, with a disability could be ordering their groceries (not cooked junk food because you are lazy) and either cooking it at home or having a carer do it for them. There are definitely people who cannot cook for themselves or have a carer do it for them but, really UBER EATS?!! That is just pure laziness if you are an able-bodied person, Aaron. No sympathy from me.

I am now 79 and have NEVER EVER ordered a meal to be home delivered - not even once. Wake up you younger people, stop ordering home deliveries of ready made food because you are lazy and stop BUYING that daily coffee (or two, maybe three) when you can make it at home. SHEER LAZINESS and nothing else.
Aaron and other young people are hardly likely to see your reply to them considering this is a group for seniors 😊
 
Most of my bills are paid through my bank on payday. If a bill like Telstra is monthly I pay in 2 halves in advance. The bank also puts an amount I specify into my savings account fortnightly for emergencies, birthdays, and Christmas. If I see something during the year I think is a good deal for occasions like that I get it. It’s the way I manage my age pension and I have no debt.
 
Why do they call it Black Friday, a few years ago in Victoria we had a very bad bush fire, which happened on a Friday, and that was called Black Friday.
 
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Reactions: BigAl6164
I have noticed that some of the advertised prices for the 'black Friday' sales are actually higher than the prices for the same product, than I have seen, and even purchased, in the last few weeks. Rather like the supermarkets bumping up prices so that they can claim a 'reduction' is actually larger than it really is.
Zero surprises! There oughta be a law!
 
Why do they call it Black Friday, a few years ago in Victoria we had a very bad bush fire, which happened on a Friday, and that was called Black Friday.
And it left many, many people traumatised, including first responders.

Prior to that, "black friday" was any Friday 13th, any month, any year.
 

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