BLACK FRIDAY

Yes, many retailers now participate in Black Friday both online and in-store, but be sure to do your research on any must-have items. Some retailers still reserve special in-store Black Friday doorbusters.

Expect to start seeing Black Friday ads starting on November 1 in most cases. However, some brands have already started their Black Friday advertising in October, and some won't come out until the week of Thanksgiving. Stay up to date on all the latest news by signing up for Black Friday newsletters and keeping up with brands on social media.

Not necessarily. While it’s true that all participating retailers are guaranteed to show up on the day of Black Friday, many stores now begin their Black Friday sales as early as November 1, and extend them through the beginning of December.

Yes. All major retailers employ state-of-the-art protection to keep users’ private information safe all-year-round and especially during Black Friday. The best way to avoid a scam or fraud is to only buy from brands and websites you trust, and keep an eye on your finances in case anything out of the ordinary shows up, that way you can immediately take care of it.

Sometimes they are, sometimes they aren’t, and sometimes they’re the same. The best way to tell is to shop around for a specific product you’re interested in, and if you see a great deal, go ahead and take advantage of it. You can also keep an eye on Black Friday ads from major retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target to see what prices you may be able to expect.

Sometimes. A lot of brands won't allow multiple offers to stack, but you can almost always get extra savings with free shipping coupons or specific product discounts. That means even more savings on the year’s best deals, and CNN Coupons will be keeping our codes up to date throughout the Black Friday sales event.

Yes! Many brands who sell to US audiences often engage in the Black Friday sales event to offer savings to customers worldwide. Black Friday itself has become more international in recent years as well, with more and more retailers offering sales during that weekend.

The best way to find out when Black Friday sales start at a specific brand is to sign up for their email newsletter and also follow them on social media channels like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Often, brands will post ads ahead of time to give customers an idea of what to expect in the sale.

Absolutely! Shops of all kinds are getting on board with the holiday shopping spirit, with brands from pet supplies to auto parts offering Black Friday savings.

Yes. So many stores offer credit programs or installment plans that allow you to take advantage of great deals, but pay over time. Additionally, shopping with brands that allow you to pay with PayPal's Pay in 4 or Afterpay's payment plans can be a great way to save.