How to tackle your Black Friday shopping

Black Friday is one the most anticipated sales of the year. This year, we’re expecting to see even bigger deals compared to 2020 thanks to Covid-19 restrictions relaxing and infection rates lowering. If you’re tempted to take advantage of the massive discounts, make sure you do it responsibly. We checked in with Pertunia Mabuza, Capitec client and credit savvy shopper to hear her tips.

How to approach Black Friday

Research the regular prices of the items on your Black Friday shopping list ahead of time, so you can check how good the deals really are. Most stores will advertise their Black Friday deals beforehand. Ready to hit the shops? Remember the following:

• Black Friday wasn’t invented for your benefit (i.e. to help you save money); it’s actually intended to get you to spend money. Retailers use this day as a chance to drive sales and increase profit before year end
• This isn’t your last or best chance for shopping. Always ask yourself: “Will this purchase help me to live better or achieve my goals?” Consider purchases that will stand the test of time, such as a new computer for your business
• Buying things won’t make you happy. In fact the opposite is true. Every new piece of technology or clothing you buy can add to your worries because it’s something more that can be stolen or damaged

Take advantage of Black Friday sales – smartly

“For me, Black Friday is no different from any other sale,” says Pertunia. Although it’s a good idea to take advantage of the discounted prices on things you might need to save money, it’s still important to be smart about it. Pertunia has the following tips to offer:

• One of the worst things you can do over Black Friday weekend is to buy things you don’t need and weren’t planning to buy in the first place. Plan your purchases and do research to ensure you find the best deal
• Don’t buy on a whim. If you plan to spend R4 000 on a new fridge, don’t spend R6 000 on it
• If you can live without it, you can wait for it. You don’t have to spend if you don’t need that item
• Read the fine print. It’s always there and people usually miss it. Imagine if you go all out with your credit card only to be stuck with that debt over many

But always use credit responsibly

Since getting a credit card, Pertunia has learned some valuable lessons about using credit responsibly, which can be applied to shopping the Black Friday sales:

• If you want to build your credit score, make sure that your payments are on time
• Don’t max out your credit card. Keep some funds for emergencies, to bail you out if you really need it

Credit, when used correctly, can help you build a credit score. For Petunia, building a strong credit score ultimately enabled her to buy a car.

“When I first started working at Capitec, I didn’t have any accounts, which meant I didn’t have a credit record. Because I needed vehicle finance, I applied for a credit card to build my credit record,” she recalls. “First, I used it to pay for my daughter’s creche; later I used it to pay for online shopping. A year later, I was able to buy a car.”

Move to Capitec

Applying for a Capitec credit card is simple and can be done online or using your Capitec banking app in just 4 steps. You’ll get up to 55 days interest free on all card and online payments and won’t pay any additional fees when you make secure online purchases, scan to pay from our banking app or tap to pay when you use your credit card.