As retailers roll out early deals throughout November, Black Friday can seem more like an entire season than a single shopping day. And plenty of Americans are prepared to shop ahead of the holidays this year.

On average, Americans are planning to spend nearly $900 each this holiday season on gifts, decorations, food, and more, according to a 2025 National Retail Federation survey.

Completing your holiday shopping list doesn't have to result in an empty bank account come January, though. Have a financial plan ready to help you avoid overspending this year — especially if you’re using a credit card.

Here are a few things to keep in mind so you can avoid debt and save money this Black Friday and beyond.

Decide on a budget to guide your spending before you head out this Black Friday. Maybe it’s the total you’ve already set aside in savings throughout the year for holiday shopping or simply a portion of your normal budget.

You can also get specific by breaking up your overall budget into subcategories. Say you have $500 to spend on Black Friday deals. If your main goal is to cross off the majority of your gift list, maybe you’ll allocate $400 of that to gifts while reserving $100 for any great savings you come across for yourself.

Take a look back at last year’s spending to help you budget better this year, too. Review your old statements and receipts. Were you satisfied with the amount you spent, or are there items you wouldn’t repurchase?

Online and in-store retailers alike may bombard you with limited-time offers and must-have new items, but making a game plan before you shop can help you avoid falling prey.

Nearly every big box retailer and plenty of smaller merchants release their best Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals in the weeks leading up to the big shopping days. Use these previews to find savings on the items you need and make your shopping list early. And don’t forget to look for roundups online cataloging the year’s best discounts.

Read more: Black Friday 2025 deals from Amazon, Walmart, and Target are live: Here's what to shop during the biggest sale of the year

If you’re unsure whether you’ll be able to pay down your balance in full by the time your monthly payment is due, a card with a 0% APR introductory offer for new purchases could be worth considering. After you open your account, you'll have several months (typically between 12 and 18) to pay down your balance before interest kicks in.

Just remember: You will still need to pay your purchases off in full by the time the intro period ends. Otherwise, you’ll start to accrue interest at the standard APR, just like any other credit card.

Here are a few top 0% APR offers available today:

While they can offer savings, 0% APR cards can also be risky if you tend to overspend during the holiday season. But if you have your spending and budget planned out, and know you can pay off the balance over the next several months, a new 0% APR balance transfer card could offer a way to avoid debt this season.

Related: Is it possible to request a 0% APR on an existing credit card?

Most shoppers' email inboxes are flooded even more than usual with deals and discounts throughout the holiday shopping season. But for some people, this might be a time to reduce spending instead of splurging.

If you already have credit card debt, consider whether Black Friday shopping is a good idea this year. Instead, reward yourself by making an extra payment toward your balances.

Consider using a cash-only method for holiday shopping. Withdraw only the amount of cash you can spend on gifts and other purchases, and leave your credit cards at home. And if you haven’t already developed a debt payoff plan, start getting ahead of the issue now.

Credit card rewards can offer a big boost to your holiday shopping savings.

If you’re in the market for a new credit card and have an increased budget for Black Friday weekend, you may want to take advantage and work toward a high-value sign-up bonus. Here are just a few examples of rewards credit cards you can benefit from throughout the holidays and use for everyday spending the rest of the year.

Before you shop, look beyond sale prices for other opportunities to score deals.

If you’re shopping online, download browser extensions that can scour the internet for coupons and cash-back offers you may qualify for. In-store, Black Friday retailers may price match discounts from other stores, helping you save the difference at checkout.

Start watching prices early and set up price alert notifications for items you want. Knowing what regular prices are in the weeks leading up to a big sale can help you decide whether the discounted price is actually worth it later.

Many credit cards provide benefits that can protect eligible purchases in case of accidental damage or theft. In some cases, you might also be able to receive reimbursement if a merchant won’t accept an item for return. These perks could be especially useful if you plan on purchasing expensive holiday gifts, such as a new phone or television.

Here are some protection benefits to look out for when considering different types of credit cards (specific benefits can vary by card and card issuer):

Purchase protection: Covers eligible new purchases against damage or theft.

Extended warranty coverage: Provides additional warranty coverage to eligible purchases with existing manufacturer’s warranties.

Cell phone protection: Covers eligible cell phones (on plans paid for by your applicable card) against damage or theft.

Return protection: Provides reimbursement for eligible new purchases if the retailer won’t allow you to return them.

Put your extra spending during the holidays to good use by earning a credit card welcome bonus on purchases you’re already making. Many credit cards require you to meet a spending threshold over the first few months to qualify for a sign-up bonus, so this could be the ideal time to align your increased spending with earning loads of cash back, points, or miles.

Here are a few cards offering generous welcome bonuses today:

It’s common for credit card issuers like American Express, Chase, and Citi to provide targeted shopping offers to cardholders. These offers provide a discount if you make an eligible purchase from a specified retailer, and your targeted offers can vary depending on your location and spending.

For example, you might see a Chase Offer in your online account for 10% back on a Holiday Inn stay or 5% cash back on Sony electronics. These offers may not add a ton to your overall budget, but they can add up if you receive offers for purchases you were going to make anyway. To use an offer, add it to your account and then make the eligible purchase. There’s often a limit on how much you can save, so be sure to read the offer details carefully.

Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.