The big saving days – Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just around the corner, and there’s every reason for international students to be excited about the same! As expert study abroad consultants, we at MSM Unify understand the importance of saving money while studying abroad. For this very reason, we have come up with this breezy blog to help international students create a shopping list and save big on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
What is Black Friday?
For the unversed, Black Friday is on the 24th of November, so Thanksgiving Day is followed by Black Friday sales in the USA, traditionally signifying the beginning of the holiday shopping season for retailers in the United States. However, Black Friday is now adopted in many other countries like the UK, Australia, New Zealand, France, Spain, and many others apart from the US.
What is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday is a major online shopping event that takes place on the Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. Cyber Monday is basically an extension of Black Friday to encourage people to continue the holiday-season shopping spree. Just like Black Friday, Cyber Monday is also observed in various parts of the world. This year, Cyber Monday is on 27th of November.
With these big saving days approaching, it is prudent to create a shopping list entailing things that you need around the year and save money in the long run. So, let’s dive in and skim through the shopping list suggested by MSM Unify and gear up for an exciting shopping haul!
1. Winter Retail Therapy
Winters are very long and chilly in countries like the US, Canada, the UK, etc. The winters in many countries start in the month of November and last until April or May. Furthermore, many of these places experience snow or a hailstorm with the temperature dropping well below 0 degrees Celsius. Also, in many places, the weather generally remains cold and breezy, making it important for people staying there to invest in good-quality winter wear.
So, here’s a list of items you can buy during these big saving days for an incredible winter retail therapy. You may buy the items that you deem suitable to the prevailing weather conditions.
- Jackets
- Wind-cheaters
- Light sweatshirts
- Gloves and caps
- Coats
- Thermal wear
- Blankets
- Duvets
- Socks
- Shoes
- Winter boots, etc.
2. Gadget Exploration
If you have been wanting to buy a gadget, this is the best time to buy a good one at great discounts. You will find amazing Black Friday, Cyber Monday deals on branded gadgets at various retail outlets. So, make your list, compare the prices, and buy the one that is right for you.
Here’s a list of gadgets that you can consider buying on the upcoming big saving days:
- Laptop
- Tablet
- Cell-phone
- Blue-tooth devices
- Speakers
- Digital Camera
- E-book
- Headphones
- Smartwatch
- Printer, etc.
3. Kitchen Restocking
As an international student, whether you are staying in a private accommodation, a college apartment or a hostel, you might be using the kitchen to cook food as per your taste and preferences, and to save money, of course!
So, if you are someone using the kitchen regularly, it is a good time to upgrade and restock kitchen essentials. Here’s a list of kitchen essentials entailing gadgets, utensils and cutlery that you might want to restock in your kitchen.
- Toaster
- Electric coffee mug
- Mugs
- Spoons
- Plates
- Knives and peelers
- Skillet
- Saucepan
- Spatula, etc.
4. Personal-care Indulgence
There are many personal-care items that you need regularly and might want to buy during the big saving days. No matter which country you are living in, here’s a list of personal-care items that you can refer to and replenish by leveraging Black Friday, Cyber Monday deals.
- Shampoo
- Body wash
- Personal-hygiene products
- Moisturizer
- Hair brush
- Hair dryer
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Cosmetic products, etc.
This list is just for your reference. Feel free to customize it according to your needs and preferences.
5. Pantry Stocking
There are many grocery items with a good shelf life that you can buy in bulk. So, here’s a list of items that you may consider for pantry stocking during the upcoming big saving days.
- Tea and coffee
- Sugar / jaggery
- Salt and pepper shakers
- Biscuits
- Dry Snacks
- Spices
- Cooking oil/ Butter
- Breakfast cereal
- Ketchups and sauces
- Lentils, grains, etc.
6. Household Essential Shopping
Household goods are something that need to be replenished on a regular basis. The best thing about household essentials is most of them have a good life, and can be stocked up easily during the Black Friday Sale in USA or the Cyber Monday sales.
So, here’s a list of household essentials that you might want to buy.
- Cleaning supplies
- Toilet paper
- Hand Wash/ sanitizers
- Air freshener
- Dishwashing soap
- Scrubs and cleaning brushes
- Iron
- A piece of furniture
- Storage bins
- Clothes hangers
- Laundry bag, etc.
7. Other essentials
The following are listed a few more items that do not particularly fall into any of the categories mentioned above. But, you might consider buying them during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping events.
- Medicines
- Stationary items
- Notebooks
- Books
- Glasses/ Shades
- Watch
- Wallet
- Clothing belt, etc.
Things to Remember for Big Saving Days Shopping
The upcoming big saving days, including the Black Friday and Cyber Monday events will be hosted by several retail outlets which can get quite overwhelming. So, here are some tips to help you make the best of these events and not end up breaking your bank!
- Create a list of essentials that you really need to buy
- Steer clear off temptations
- Do a thorough research on the products that you wish to buy
- Compare the discounts offered by several outlets
- Don’t fall for marketing gimmicks
- Save some money for luxurious indulgence, don’t exceed the set limits!
- Use a price tracker
- Protect your payment cards
- While make online purchases, make sure that the retailer is genuine
- Beware of cyber crimes!
In essence, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are incredible shopping events that can help you buy things you need and save a huge deal of money. But, while shopping on these big saving days, you need to make sure that you set a budget, buy things you really need, and not fall for temptations.
That said, we hope this blog by MSM Unify helps you create your personalized Wishlist and make the best of these big saving days. For any other help or guidance on studying abroad, speak to MSM Unify counselors today!
FAQs
1. What is Black Friday Sale in USA?
Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving in the USA, which marks the beginning of the crucial holiday shopping season for retailers. During the Black Friday Sale, retailers in the USA offer heavy discounts on various products, including electronics, clothing, gift items, etc.
2. When is Black Friday?
This year, Black Friday is on November 24, 2023, following Thanksgiving in the United States. Usually most retailers in countries like the US, the UK, Canada, New Zealand, etc. host the Black Friday Sale for 24 hours with huge discounts and amazing deals on various products.
3. When is Cyber Monday?
This year, Cyber Monday is on November 27, 2023, the immediate Monday following Thanksgiving in the United States. Cyber Monday is hosted by the retailers to encourage shoppers to continue shopping online for the holiday season, even after the Black Friday Sale in USA.
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