News
Black Friday 2025: How to Score the Deals Without Falling Into Debt
The season of sales, and second thoughts
Black Friday has become a fixture on South Africa’s retail calendar, a day that promises relief for struggling shoppers and record profits for stores. But behind the bright banners and “limited-time deals,” financial experts are urging Mzansi to take a breath before swiping.
With the national sale day set for 28 November 2025, economists and debt counsellors are warning that impulsive, credit-fuelled shopping could leave households struggling long after the festive season ends.
A bargain that costs you later
Neil Roets, CEO of Debt Rescue, says Black Friday can be both a blessing and a curse. For many South Africans, the day offers a rare chance to stock up on groceries, appliances, and essentials that would normally be out of reach. But when those bargains are paid for with borrowed money, the short-term relief often turns into a long-term headache.
“Black Friday can help families stretch their rands, but when purchases are made on credit, repayments start clashing with January expenses,” he explained. “That’s when ‘Januworry’ hits, when people realise they’ve spent December’s joy on January’s debt.”
Roets said families should plan ahead and avoid relying on credit cards or store accounts to chase specials. Instead, he encourages shoppers to draw up a spending plan, compare prices before the day, and only buy what they truly need.
The cost of credit culture
Benay Sager, Executive Head of DebtBusters, agrees that the rise of South Africa’s Black Friday culture has made it harder for consumers to stay disciplined. “Black Friday has become a real phenomenon in the last five or six years,” he said. “It’s encouraged people to spend more towards the end of the year and, in many cases, to dip into credit to do it.”
According to Sager, when people miss payments in December or January, it can take up to two years to recover financially. “If you’re spending more than 30% of your take-home pay on debt repayments, that’s already too much. And if you have to borrow to buy gifts, you simply can’t afford those gifts,” he said.
A fragile economy, a risky season
Economist Professor Waldo Krugell added that South Africa’s slow growth and stagnant job creation make this year’s spending habits even more critical. “The economy is barely moving,” he said. “We can’t rely on bonuses, promotions, or tax cuts to bail us out. If we overspend now, we’ll pay for it in 2026.”
The warning extends beyond overspending. The National Financial Ombud has also cautioned shoppers about a surge in online scams, urging the public to stick to verified retailers and avoid clicking on suspicious “discount” links that circulate on social media and messaging apps during the sale period.
Smarter spending this season
To stay out of debt, experts recommend five simple rules:
-
Set a clear budget before the day and don’t exceed it.
-
Make a list of essentials and avoid unplanned purchases.
-
Compare prices ahead of time to spot fake “discounts.”
-
Use cash or debit where possible to prevent overspending.
-
Plan for repayments and keep January expenses in mind.
For most South Africans, the challenge isn’t resisting temptation but staying realistic. Black Friday can be a smart shopping opportunity if approached with the same discipline as a savings plan.
As Roets put it, “A deal that drags you into debt isn’t a deal at all.”
Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikT
For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com
Source: IOL
Featured Image: BusinessTech
