10 Ways To Save Rather Than Spend on Black Friday
by Miranda Jackson
Black Friday doesn’t have to be a day of reckless spending. Instead, you can use it as an opportunity to get your household budget in order and prepare for a more affordable winter. Here are some simple ways to save money and avoid dipping into your wallet.
1. Shop for a Cheaper Cellular Plan
During this time of year, cellular carriers typically offer numerous promotions. Remember to explore prepaid and smaller carriers, which often use the same networks as the major players at lower cost (like these Black Friday deals from Mint Mobile or Visible by Verizon.)
Additionally, carefully review the features and usage of your current plan. Eliminate features you don’t use frequently enough to warrant the cost, such as unlimited data or a mobile hotspot, and make your plan more budget-friendly.
2. Prune Subscription Services and Memberships
Small charges from streaming platforms, apps, fitness memberships, and cloud storage can add up quickly. Take ten minutes to review your bank or credit card statements and cancel any services you don’t use regularly. You can always sign up again later when you have more time or need them again.
3. Clean Out Your Car for Improve Gas Mileage
A cluttered trunk can weigh your car down and make it use more gas than necessary. Take a few minutes to clear out the extras like sports gear, old tools and those donations you’ve been meaning to drop off for weeks. With a lighter load, your car will burn less gas, and you might even rediscover some space you didn’t know you had.
4. Shop for Cheaper Insurance
Most people let their auto or homeowners insurance renew without shopping around. Take advantage of Black Friday weekend to compare prices quickly. Many insurers provide instant quotes, and you might find better coverage at a lower cost. Small monthly savings can really add up over the year. If you’d rather not do your own research, an insurance broker can help you find a better deal.
5. Organize and Inventory Your Pantry, Fridge and Freezer
A tidy food supply helps you avoid buying duplicates and reduces food waste. Start by cleaning out and organizing your cupboards and refrigerator, then make a list of everything you already have. As you use an item in a meal, cross it off the list. Add new items to the list whenever you go shopping. This running inventory makes planning meals and making grocery lists much simpler.
6. Create a Library of Frugal Recipes
Make a list of affordable, easy-to-make meals you can whip up, including soups, casseroles, stir-fries, slow cooker dishes and pantry staples. Store the recipes in one spot so you can easily find ideas when you’re on a tight budget. The more quicker, cheaper meals you can make, the less you’ll rely on takeout.
If you find you have an abundance of any items during your kitchen inventory (see #5 above), find recipes to use them up before they go bad.
7. Make Up Batches of Baking Mixes
Homemade baking mixes save time and money and are a staple in many frugal pantries. Measure dry ingredients for biscuits, muffins, pancakes and brownies into jars or zip bags. Add instructions right on the container. When you’re tired or busy, you’ll have a quick option ready to go without paying store-bought mix prices. Here are some recipes to get your started:
8. Get a Library Card
Your local library is one of the best money savers around. Books, audiobooks, movies, digital magazines, language learning tools, hobby classes—most of it is free. If you haven’t been in a while, you might be surprised at how much you can replace with a library card instead of paid services.
9. Trim Your Holiday Gift List
A shorter list means smaller December and January bills. Think about who truly needs a gift and who might appreciate a handwritten note, baked treat or simply spending time with you. Many families and friend groups are happy to switch to name-drawing, shared experiences or kid-only gifts. You’ll save money and stress at the same time.
10. Sign Up for a Few Cashback Shopping Sites so You’re Ready for Holiday Shopping
For the gifts you do plan to buy, you might as well get money back. Signing up for cashback sites only takes a few minutes, and you can stack rewards with coupons or store sales. You don’t need to buy anything today—just set up your accounts so they’re ready when you do purchase gifts.
Reviewed November 2025