'I'm a money saving guru – here are foolproof ways to bag best Black Friday deals'

If you haven't already, it might be time to start thinking about your shopping so you can feel organised for the big day and best budget your money.

, plus and the days surrounding it is one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. It is the perfect time to save some extra cash on popular and expensive items – from tech to beauty and fashion.

So with that being said, money saving advisor Megan Micklewright, better known as The Savvy Spender, has shared her ultimate tips in partnership with AO ahead of the shopping event.

The award-winning financial influencer - who quit her full time job in 2021 after growing in popularity online - has more than 90,600 followers on her , where she says her tips and tricks to help people make, save and grow their money.

Megan said: "As we all know, Black Friday is not just a day anymore and people are shopping earlier - so it's more important than ever to have some tricks up your sleeves when it comes to navigating the sale."

READ MORE:

The mum-of-two, from Birmingham, advises never to shop without looking for a discount code first and insists people start to do a winter and sell unwanted items online before purchasing anything new.

Her first tip for Black Friday [November 29] is to start looking for products you want early - don't just search for good deals on the day. The best way to get the best bang for your buck is to shop around for the best selection.

Megan, who previously spoke about growing up without much money, said: "Many sales now go live weeks in advance, giving shoppers a head start on finding the best prices and selection. Shoppers should begin browsing early, comparing options to make sure they lock in the best deals."

The TikToker added: "Similarly, shoppers should compare deals across multiple sites and make sure to take advantage of price match guarantees that retailers such as AO offer."

Megan said that a lot of people assume because of her job, that she would advise against using buy now, pay later schemes, but she would advise using them in some instances. She said: "A lot of people think I would be against it but I actually think it is really great and have used it myself."

She noted: "Finance isn't for everyone, only for those wanting to make a big purchase who need a bit extra help. However, if you're after a big purchase make sure to look for flexible finance options allowing you to spread the cost over time."

Megan added that people should not spend beyond their means and advises only getting items on finance if you can afford to pay for it as agreed. A good way of making sure your keep your finances in check is establishing a budget before your Christmas shopping begins.

Megan noted: "With enticing sales around every corner, it's all too easy to overspend. Establish a budget before you start shopping to keep your finances in check."

She also suggests making a priority list before Black Friday. "This helps shoppers and impulse buys and keeps the focus on high-priority purchases," she added.