Is Cyber Monday worth it? Smart ways to save

The Monday after Thanksgiving is one of the most anticipated online shopping days of the year. With bold banners promising “once-a-year deals,” Cyber Monday can feel like a can’t-miss event. But is it actually worth your time and money?

Well, the answer is sometimes. In specific categories, Cyber Monday is one of the best times of year to shop. In others, the discounts are more hype than reality. The key is knowing where the real value lies and how to shop strategically.

What makes Cyber Monday worth it

Cyber Monday started in 2005 as a way to encourage online shopping when brick-and-mortar Black Friday still dominated. Today, it’s a global event with billions spent in just 24 hours. Retailers use it to:

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• Clear out holiday inventory: Online stores slash prices on leftover stock to make room for new releases.

• Promote online-exclusive discounts: Many deals are only available through apps or websites.

• Compete with rivals: With so many brands vying for attention, prices can dip lower than at any other point in the season.

Categories that shine on Cyber Monday:

• Electronics and gadgets: Headphones, tablets, laptops, and gaming consoles often see double-digit discounts. For families planning a tech upgrade, Cyber Monday is prime time.

• Travel and experiences: Airlines and hotel chains frequently roll out 24-hour promotions, and travel booking sites offer coupons for future trips.

• Digital services: Subscriptions for streaming, cloud storage, and educational apps often include “first-year” deals that can save families significant money.

Cyber Monday also offers a unique advantage: convenience. Families don’t have to line up in stores or deal with crowded aisles because the best deals are a click away.

When Cyber Monday may not be worth it

Despite the excitement, not every Cyber Monday deal lives up to the marketing hype. Some common pitfalls include:

• Inflated discounts: Retailers sometimes raise prices in October, then “slash” them in November to make the discount look bigger.

• Better timing elsewhere: Big-screen TVs and large appliances are usually cheapest on Black Friday. Winter clothing often goes on sale for lower prices in January clearance sales.

• Impulse-driven spending: Flash sales and countdown timers can pressure families into buying things they don’t really need – which can quickly chip away at your budget.

Cyber Monday also tends to focus on specific categories. If your family’s shopping list includes furniture, outdoor gear, or kids’ toys, Black Friday or post-holiday sales may be a better fit.

Cyber Monday vs. Black Friday

Cyber Monday and Black Friday complement each other more than they compete. Knowing the difference can help you plan:

• Black Friday: Typically, the best day for in-store or hybrid deals on home goods, appliances, toys, and clothing. Doorbusters and “while supplies last” promotions dominate the day.

• Cyber Monday: Best for online-only categories like tech, accessories, small electronics, and subscription services. Retailers often extend Black Friday deals into Cyber Monday while layering on digital exclusives.

Shoppers who strategize across both days often save the most. A family might grab toys and appliances during Black Friday, then return on Cyber Monday for discounted laptops, streaming subscriptions, or travel vouchers.

Smart Cyber Monday strategies for families

Want to shop Cyber Monday wisely? Here’s a plan that could work for your family:

1. Set a budget together: Agree on a spending cap as a family. Talk with kids about how to prioritize needs vs. wants.

2. Make a wishlist: Focus on pre-selected items rather than browsing endless sale pages.

3. Use price trackers: Free tools like CamelCamelCamel, Honey, or Keepa can confirm whether the “deal” is actually the lowest price in months.

4. Watch shipping costs: Free shipping thresholds can nudge you to overspend, so factor it into the true cost.

5. Stack savings: Use cashback sites, store rewards, or credit card perks to make discounts go further.

6. Compare retailers: Don’t assume Amazon or Walmart always wins. Specialty stores sometimes beat big-box prices.

7. Teach kids with real-life examples: Show them how discounts can be misleading, and let them compare price histories with you.

💡 Greenlight’s money management tools make it easy to put these lessons into practice throughout the year. Kids can create savings “buckets” for things they want, track progress, and learn how to delay gratification. These can be powerful lessons during shopping holidays.

How to spot a real deal

Here’s a quick checklist to separate hype from value:

• Check average price history: If the price has been lower before, it’s not a true deal.

• Avoid “up to” claims: Only a small fraction of items hit the advertised maximum discount.

• Look for practical bundles: Skip bundles that add extras you don’t need.

• Focus on replacement needs: A good deal helps you save on something you were planning to buy anyway.

• Check return policies: A big discount isn’t worth it if you’re stuck with something you can’t return.

What matters is how you approach it

So, is Cyber Monday worth it? It depends on your approach. For families with a plan, it’s an opportunity to score real savings on tech, travel, and digital services. For those caught up in the hype, it can lead to unnecessary spending. By combining budgeting strategies, deal-tracking tools, and a focus on needs over wants, you can leave Cyber Monday with a win.

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This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.