November is the time of the year when the retail industry is at its busiest. In the days following U.S. Thanksgiving, consumers spend billions of dollars on items often discounted by over 50%. In 2022 alone, online shoppers spent more than $9 billion on Black Friday. However, there are several additional shopping days at the end of November that you might want to factor into your holiday shopping budget.

The end of November brings plenty of opportunities to spend money. Setting goals and planning ahead will help you navigate the November shopping days with minimal stress and maximum savings. Happy shopping, and don't forget to give back to your community!

Nov 24, 2023 - Black Friday

Nov 25, 2023 - Small Business Saturday

Nov 27, 2023 - Cyber Monday

Nov 28, 2023 - Giving Tuesday

Black Friday

Black Friday falls the day after U.S. Thanksgiving and is the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. It's also the day when you'll find the best deals for everything from cars to television sets. Because of how quickly items can go, you should have a plan for finding and locking-in the lowest prices. Here are a few suggestions on how to navigate this shopping day:

• Check pricing before Black Friday

• Make your list and set your budget as early as possible

• Focus on online shopping to avoid crowds and disappointment 

• Consider using curbside pickup

• Avoid impulse buys

Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday falls on the first Saturday following Thanksgiving. The purpose of this day is to support small businesses. You can find small business shopping opportunities online or in your local community. If you plan to go shopping in person, pick your destinations ahead of time. On the day itself, these businesses can get pretty crowded, which is why you should have a decent idea of what you want beforehand. If you'd like to support local businesses, make sure you don't overspend on Black Friday.

Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday is the first Monday after Thanksgiving. Unlike Black Friday, this day is focused entirely on online shopping. You'll find great deals at large online retailers like Amazon and Walmart, and even some smaller businesses participate nowadays. To make the most out of this day, gather information about upcoming sales. Most websites provide this information ahead of time to attract more shoppers. You can also use browser extensions and shopping apps to streamline the process. For example, some apps make it easy to compare prices across multiple online storefronts.

Giving Tuesday

The first Tuesday after Thanksgiving is widely known as Giving Tuesday. The purpose of this day is to give back to your community through charitable donations or activities. Even small gestures can make a big impact. For example, you can donate to a nonprofit organization or volunteer at a local food pantry. Some other ideas for giving back include:

• Giving blood 

•  Handing out essential items at homeless shelters

•  Organizing a food or clothing drive

•  Starting a fundraiser on social media

•  Donating to animal shelters or fostering a pet