Black Friday and Beyond: Fall Shopping Events To Help You Save Money

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Fall is upon us, and with it comes a number of big shopping events and sales that bring a wealth of opportunities to save money. We’ve all heard of Black Friday, but other events, including sales from places like Amazon, Walmart and Target, also promise to make the last few months of the year an excellent time to score some amazing deals. Whether you’re getting started on your holiday shopping or are looking to save big on some items for around the house, take a look at our guide to upcoming fall shopping events.

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days: October 8-9

The e-commerce giant recently announced that Amazon Prime Big Deal Days will return October 8-9, 2024. This popular sales event is a great way to find discounts, whether you’re shopping for home goods, electronics or apparel, or are just getting a jump on the holiday season.

Here are a few things to keep in mind to prepare for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days:

• You need to be a member: If you don’t yet have a Prime membership, be sure to sign up ahead of the event to take advantage of the sales. You can opt for a free 30-day trial membership if you’re not ready to commit. Be sure to check out membership discounts available for students and those receiving government benefits if you qualify, as it could help you save on the membership fee.
• Deals are already landing: Big Deal Days officially takes place October 8 and 9, but Amazon is already launching some sales in the lead up to the event, including deals on seasonal items, electronics and more.
• Consider the Prime Visa Credit Card: The Prime Visa Credit Card often offers a sweet sign-up bonus and its regular 5% cash back on Amazon purchases could boost your Big Deal Days savings.
• Check out competitors: A lot of retailers and e-commerce sites host their own fall sales events around the same time, so be sure to do some comparison shopping before you grab a deal that might be beat elsewhere.

Related: Amazon Prime Visa Credit Card Review

Walmart Holiday Deals: October 8-13

Walmart has similarly announced a seasonal shopping event called Walmart Holiday Deals, which will take place this October 8-13. Walmart+ members get an exclusive early preview for the first 12 hours of the event, beginning October 8 at 12:00 a.m. ET. Everyone else can join in at noon to access online deals via Walmart’s website and app. In-store deals will also be available beginning October 9, so those who prefer to shop in person will have that option too.

It looks like this event will offer tons of great deals both online and in store. Walmart is already promoting a range of items on sale, including:

• Televisions
• Toys
• Office furniture
• Large appliances
• Tools
• Apparel

If you’re getting a head start on holiday shopping or just have a few big-ticket items on your household list, keep this event in mind, and keep an eye on the Slickdeals forums to see which deals are hottest during the big event.

Target Circle Week: October 6-12

iStock/svetikd

Another hot October shopping event returning this year is Target Circle Week. The retailer has set this year’s dates for October 6-12, according to Target’s press release. The shopping event will include deals on holiday decor, gifts, toys and Target-exclusive products.

Note that to participate in Target Circle Week and take advantage of its deals, you do need to be a member of the store’s loyalty program. Any store program has its pros and cons, so here are a few things to know about the Target Circle program:

• Target Circle is free to join and offers some rewards and deals.
• The program also has a paid tiers and store credit cards that offer additional benefits.
• Consider whether paying an annual fee is worthwhile based on your shopping habits before you commit.
• The free-level membership should qualify you for Target Circle Week deals.

The Home Depot Decor Days: October 3-7

This year, The Home Depot is hosting what it calls Decor Days, October 3-7. The event promises to offer deep discounts on select furniture and home decor, including certain sofas, kitchen tools, bedding, lighting and other items. If you’re in need of a new couch, mattress or cooking utensils, this sale is one to watch.

You can see a preview of the event online right now.

Black Friday: November 29

Black Friday is probably the most recognizable autumn shopping event. Historically, Black Friday occurred on the Friday after Thanksgiving, but these days, some merchants run Black Friday sales all week or even throughout the month leading up to Thanksgiving. If you’ve got a specific product or brand you’re hoping to score deals on this fall, now’s the time to get Black Friday on your radar.

Be sure to stop by Slickdeals throughout the fall to score some of the best deals around, as our community will be busy sourcing and sharing major discounts all season long.

Cyber Monday: December 2

iStock/Johnce

Cyber Monday follows Black Friday annually, and this year it lands on December 2. It’s traditionally a great opportunity to find online deals. However, with Black Friday and the holiday shopping season expanding these last few years, it remains to be seen how much of an impact this single Monday will have on consumer shopping. That said, it’s worth getting this day on your calendar, especially if you’ve got a favorite e-commerce site or brand on your shopping list. 

Best Buy, for example, has already announced that it will be participating in Cyber Monday and will be offering deals on computers, video game consoles, TVs, cameras, phones and more.

Related: Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping

7 Tips To Prepare for Black Friday and Holiday Shopping Events

Here are some tips to help you prepare in advance for Black Friday and other deal events this fall:

• Look for deals early: Don’t wait until the day after Thanksgiving to search for deals. Many stores will post discounts much earlier, even in October, so start researching sooner rather than later to find the best prices.
• Use a credit card: Credit cards tend to offer better protection against fraud, which is a great benefit when shopping online. Plus, if you’ve got large purchases to make, it’s nice to earn some rewards or even a hefty credit card sign-up bonus in the process, especially if it translates to a little extra cash in your pocket for the holiday season.
• Comparison shop: You can often find the best deals online, but it’s worth taking a look at shops in your local area too, if you’ve got the time. You might find a brick-and-mortar store is running an unmissable deal on a product it overstocked or needs to unload before year end. Similarly, don’t settle for one e-commerce site. Check around a few online shops before you commit to a purchase to make sure you’ve got the best price. 
• Make a list ahead of time: Whether you’re shopping for holiday gifts or have other items in mind, make a list so it’s clear in your head before you hit the shops (or sites). This can help you avoid temptation and focus on the best deals for the items on your list.
• Sign up for Deal Alerts: Create custom Slickdeals alerts to get updates on anything you want to keep an eye on this holiday shopping season. You can personalize your notifications for electronics, apparel and anything else on your holiday gift-giving list so you can grab the lowest price right when it lands.
• Subscribe to email lists: Got a favorite brand or shop? Sign up for their email lists to get notified of insider sales and deals you might miss otherwise. If it’s too much clutter for your inbox year round, you can always unsubscribe in the new year. 
• Visit deal websites: Stop by sites like Slickdeals more frequently during the fall and winter months to see what deals users are posting. This can help you spot flash deals fast and grab products you’re looking for before they sell out. 

Related: Best Credit Card Sign-Up Offers

Bottom Line

The holiday season is fast approaching, and many shops will be launching some pretty epic deals along the way. Keep an eye on your favorite brand’s emails and ads to spot early-season deals. Sign up for personalized Deal Alerts to never miss out on a fast-selling item on your list, too. If you’re looking to keep costs down, plan ahead with a shopping list and budget to help stay on track. And if you’re in the market for a new credit card anyway, you might as well apply for one with a great welcome offer and rewards rate so you can earn some cash back while doing your regular shopping.