Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals You Might Be Overlooking

Discover overlooked Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on groceries, streaming services, educational apps, family memberships, and more ways to save money. .

10/22/202610 min read

When most people think about Black Friday and Cyber Monday, they picture crowded stores, electronics, toys, and Christmas presents.

But over the years, I've discovered that some of the best savings opportunities have nothing to do with traditional holiday shopping.

Our family looks forward to streaming service promotions every year, and we've even taken advantage of a Cyber Monday deal on an annual aquarium membership. I've also learned that some supermarkets offer worthwhile discounts on everyday groceries.

These are the kinds of deals that often get overlooked, but they can help families save money on things they already use or experiences they're planning to enjoy.

Of course, not every Black Friday or Cyber Monday promotion is worth taking advantage of. A discount only saves you money if it's something your family actually needs, wants, or will use.

So, before you focus entirely on holiday gift shopping, let's explore some unexpected Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals that might be worth adding to your list.

1. Streaming Service Deals: Save on Entertainment Throughout the Year

Streaming service promotions are one of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals I look forward to every year.

With the cost of subscriptions adding up, these sales are a great opportunity to save on entertainment our family already enjoys. In fact, the promotions we sign up for often help us save throughout the following year.

Depending on the service, you might find discounted monthly subscriptions, reduced annual plans, or promotional bundles. Some offers last just a few months, while others extend for an entire year.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday can also be great opportunities to try a streaming service you've been curious about without paying the regular subscription price.

2. Supermarket Black Friday Deals

I never really thought about grocery shopping on Black Friday until I visited my parents one day and noticed how well-stocked their pantry was.

When I asked about it, they told me their local supermarket had offered some great Black Friday deals.

I couldn't believe they hadn't told me about the sale! Fortunately, they were more than willing to share some of their bargains with us.

Most of what they purchased were everyday pantry staples like peanut butter, mayonnaise, and salad dressing. These are exactly the kinds of products worth stocking up on when the price is right because they generally have a longer shelf life.

The following year, I made sure to check the supermarket's Black Friday promotions myself. Unfortunately, the deals weren't nearly as good as the ones my parents had found the year before.

I'm hoping they'll have another worthwhile sale this year!

A grocery haul of pantry staples brought at a Black Friday sale.

What Grocery Deals Are Worth Looking For?

If your local supermarket offers Black Friday promotions, I recommend focusing on products your family already uses regularly.

Some items worth checking include:

Pantry staples and baking supplies
Frozen foods
Coffee and other regularly purchased beverages
Cleaning products
Paper products and household necessities
Personal care items

Before stocking up, consider how much your family will realistically use and whether you have enough storage space.

Even shelf-stable products have expiration dates, so buying more than you need isn't necessarily saving money.

It's also worth comparing unit prices and checking whether the Black Friday promotions are actually better than your supermarket's regular weekly sales.

Money-saving tip: Check your supermarket's weekly advertisement and loyalty app for Black Friday promotions, digital coupons, and personalized offers. You might discover savings on everyday essentials you were planning to purchase anyway.

3. Educational Apps and Learning Subscriptions

Black Friday and Cyber Monday aren't just about entertainment. It can also be a great time to look for discounts on educational apps, learning subscriptions, and software.

As I've mentioned in previous articles, Brayden is currently on his journey to learning how to read. This year, I'll be looking for promotions on reading apps that might help him develop his skills while making learning fun.

With winter approaching, having a few extra educational activities available at home can be especially helpful when we're spending more time indoors.

However, I've learned that even the best educational apps aren't always worth paying for.

Brayden can lose interest in an activity, and sometimes our family simply doesn't have enough time to use a subscription regularly.

That's why I'm particularly interested in promotions that offer discounted monthly subscriptions without requiring a long-term commitment.

Choose Educational Subscriptions That Fit Your Family

Before signing up for an educational app or learning program, consider how often your family will realistically use it.

Some promotions offer substantial discounts on annual subscriptions, but paying for an entire year isn't always the best choice.

For our family, I prefer the flexibility of a month-to-month subscription that I can cancel when we're no longer using it.

A free trial can also be helpful for determining whether your child enjoys a program before committing to a paid subscription.

As always, don't forget to check your local library! Many public libraries offer free access to educational apps, digital books, and other learning resources that might meet your family's needs without an additional expense.

Money-saving tip: Before purchasing an educational subscription, compare the promotional price, subscription length, and cancellation terms. A slightly higher monthly rate might save you more money than an annual plan your family stops using after a few weeks.

How I Make Streaming Deals Worthwhile

One thing I've learned is that keeping track of promotional expiration dates is just as important as finding a good deal.

Before signing up, I always check how long the discounted rate lasts and what the subscription will cost once the promotion ends.

I use Google Calendar to keep track of our subscriptions and set reminders before each promotional period expires. This gives me time to decide whether to keep the service or cancel before the regular price takes effect.

If we're trying a new streaming service and discover we don't use it enough, we can usually cancel before the promotional period ends.

It's also important to check whether a promotion is available to existing subscribers or only new customers.

Money-saving tip: You don't need to subscribe to every streaming service at once. Consider rotating subscriptions throughout the year based on what your family actually watches.The goal isn't to collect more subscriptions. It's to spend less on the entertainment your family already enjoys.

5. Photo Books and Printing Services

Photo books and printing services are another category worth checking during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, especially if you're planning personalized holiday gifts.

Companies like Shutterfly offer promotions throughout the year, but holiday sales may provide additional opportunities to save on photo books, calendars, prints, holiday cards, and other personalized products.

I've used Shutterfly in the past, although I haven't taken advantage of its Black Friday or Cyber Monday promotions. It's a category I'll be keeping an eye on this year.

Are These Deals Better Than Regular Sales?

Photo printing companies frequently offer discounts throughout the year, so a holiday promotion isn't automatically the best deal.

Before ordering, compare the final cost rather than focusing only on the advertised discount.

Here are a few things worth checking:

Product discounts: Does the promotion apply to the photo book, calendar, or prints you actually want?
Shipping costs: A large discount may not be as impressive once shipping is added.
Extra pages and upgrades: Premium covers, additional pages, and other features can increase the price.
Coupon restrictions: Some promotions exclude certain products or cannot be combined with other offers.
Order deadlines: Make sure your personalized gifts will arrive when you need them.

Turn Family Memories Into Meaningful Gifts

I love the idea of giving gifts that have personal meaning rather than purchasing something simply because it's on sale.

A photo book filled with family memories can be a thoughtful gift for grandparents or other relatives.

Other ideas include personalized calendars, framed family pictures, holiday cards, or a collection of favorite photos from the past year.

And you don't need to create an elaborate photo book to give something meaningful. Sometimes a few printed photographs in a simple frame can be just as special.

Money-saving tip: If you're planning to order personalized photo gifts, organize your pictures and decide what you want to create before the holidays. That way, you'll be ready to compare promotions without rushing into a purchase.

6. Family Attractions and Annual Memberships

As a family with a young child, we're always looking for ways to save on family attractions and outings.

Unfortunately, the cost of visiting aquariums, zoos, museums, and other attractions can add up quickly. With rising everyday expenses, there isn't always much money left in the budget for entertainment.

That's why Black Friday and Cyber Monday are worth checking if you're considering an annual membership to a family attraction.

Some aquariums, zoos, museums, amusement parks, and other attractions offer holiday promotions on admission tickets and memberships.

These discounts aren't available everywhere, but they're worth looking into if your family already enjoys visiting a particular attraction.

Our Experience With a Cyber Monday Aquarium Membership

When Brayden expressed an interest in visiting our state aquarium, we started looking into admission prices and membership options.

Fortunately, we discovered that the aquarium was offering a Cyber Monday promotion on annual memberships.

We decided to take advantage of the deal and purchased a discounted family membership for the year.

Over the course of our membership, we visited the aquarium three times. Having the membership meant we could return without purchasing individual admission tickets for each visit.

For our family, it was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy an attraction Brayden was interested in while keeping our entertainment expenses more manageable.

It's a great example of how looking beyond traditional holiday shopping deals can help families save money on experiences they'll actually use.

Can an Annual Membership Save Your Family Money?

Before purchasing an annual membership, I recommend comparing the membership cost with the price of individual admission tickets.

Consider how many times your family would realistically visit during the year.

For example, if a family attraction costs $60 per visit and an annual membership costs $120, you would need to visit at least twice to break even on admission costs.

A third visit would mean saving $60 compared with purchasing individual tickets for all three visits.

Of course, actual savings depend on the attraction, membership benefits, and how often your family visits.

Here are a few things worth checking before purchasing:

Membership coverage: Does the membership include everyone in your family?
Additional expenses: Are parking, special exhibits, or other activities included?
Restrictions: Are there blackout dates or limitations on when you can visit?
Membership benefits: Are there discounts on food, gift shops, or admission to other attractions?
Your family's schedule: Will you realistically visit enough times to make the membership worthwhile?

Some memberships also offer reciprocal benefits, allowing families to visit participating attractions at discounted rates or, in some cases, for free. It's worth checking whether these benefits are included.

An annual membership can be a wonderful way to enjoy family outings throughout the year, but only if it's something your family will actually use.

Money-saving tip: Check the websites and social media pages of your favorite family attractions around Black Friday for possible membership promotions. Compare those offers with library passes, free admission days, and other discounted programs before purchasing.

Annual memberships can also make wonderful gifts for families who prefer experiences over more toys or household items. If you're looking for more meaningful gift ideas, check out my up coming article on Non-Traditional Holiday Gifts for inspiration beyond traditional presents.

Don't Forget About Travel Tuesday

While researching Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, I discovered another shopping event I hadn't heard of before: Travel Tuesday!

Held on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Travel Tuesday focuses on promotions for flights, hotels, vacation packages, and other travel experiences.

If your family is planning a vacation, it might be worth checking these offers before making reservations.

However, just like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, a promotional price doesn't automatically mean you're getting the best deal. Compare prices, check for additional fees, and review cancellation policies before booking.

Money-saving tip: If you're already planning a family vacation, start researching prices before Travel Tuesday so you'll have a better idea of whether a promotion is genuinely worthwhile

How to Tell Whether a Black Friday or Cyber Monday Deal Is Worth It

Finding a great discount can be exciting, but not every promotion is worth taking advantage of.

Before making a purchase, I like to consider a few things to make sure we're actually saving money.

Would I Buy This Without the Discount?

A large discount can make something seem more appealing than it really is. If you weren't already considering the purchase, ask yourself whether it's something your family genuinely needs or wants.

Will My Family Actually Use It?

A discounted subscription, membership, or family experience isn't a bargain if it goes unused.

Consider your family's interests, routines, and available time. It's also worth checking whether your local library, community programs, or other free resources offer similar benefits.

What Is the Actual Cost?

Look beyond the advertised discount. Shipping fees, taxes, and additional charges can increase the final price.

For subscriptions, check how long the promotional rate lasts, whether it automatically renews at a higher price, and when you'll need to cancel to avoid additional charges.

Does It Fit Our Budget?

Even a great deal isn't worth creating financial stress.

Before Black Friday and Cyber Monday, make a list of purchases you're already considering and compare their regular prices. This makes it easier to recognize genuine savings without getting caught up in the excitement of holiday sales.

And remember, there will always be other opportunities to save.

Final Thoughts: Look Beyond Traditional Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales

Black Friday and Cyber Monday aren't just about electronics, toys, and Christmas presents.

Some of the most worthwhile discounts can be on things our families already use, from groceries and streaming subscriptions to educational apps and family memberships. Even Travel Tuesday offers another opportunity to save on experiences and trips we may already be planning.

But finding a great deal doesn't mean we need to take advantage of it.

For me, the goal is to spend money more intentionally, not simply buy more because something is on sale.

With a little planning and research, we can focus on promotions that genuinely benefit our families while avoiding unnecessary purchases.

And if there's nothing we need, there's nothing wrong with skipping the sales entirely.

Sometimes the best way to save money is simply not to spend it.

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