Black Friday 2026 is Friday, November 27 and Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30. A list made in advance is the best way to make sure a deal is really a deal.
1. Set a total budget first
Decide what you can spend in cash before you look at any ads. Split it by person with the free gift budget per person calculator.
2. List people and needs
Write each person, a gift idea and a top price. Add household needs you were going to buy anyway (appliances, winter gear). See the Christmas gift list template.
3. Check the real price
Note today's price for each item. Some "sale" prices match normal prices, so compare a few stores and look at past prices where you can.
4. Check return policies and delivery dates
Holiday return windows vary by store. Note the policy for each purchase and keep receipts together.
5. Shop the list, then stop
Unplanned "deals" are where budgets break. If it isn't on the list, wait 24 hours.
6. Record what you bought
Log each purchase, the price and where the receipt is. For bigger items, note serial numbers and warranties.
Checklist
- ☐ Total budget set
- ☐ Names, ideas and top prices listed
- ☐ Current prices noted
- ☐ Return policies checked
- ☐ Receipts folder ready
- ☐ Purchases logged
Tools
The Black Friday Shopping Planner & Deal Tracker ($3.50, 10 pages) helps you go in with a list and a limit, and keeps every order, receipt and return date in one place. The Holiday Gift & Budget Planner spreadsheet ($6) tracks people, gifts and spending. The Home Inventory Tracker ($8) records serial numbers, receipts and values for bigger purchases. LB3 Trackers is not advertising a Black Friday sale here; prices shown are the regular Payhip prices.
Also see the 12 holiday costs people forget.
LB3 Trackers makes its printables and spreadsheets with AI assistance and checks them before listing.