Last week, as I sat with my morning chai after dropping my teenager at coaching classes, I scrolled through my WhatsApp messages. My sister-in-law’s message caught my eye: “Priti di, Black Friday is coming! Remember that mixer you wanted? Wait for the sale!”
Two years ago, I wouldn’t have given Black Friday a second thought. Like most of us, I did my festival shopping at Phoenix Marketcity or Linking Road, fighting Mumbai’s crowds and traffic. But something changed when my daughter Riya showed me how she found her art supplies at 40% off during last year’s Black Friday sale.
My Black Friday Journey: From Skeptic to Smart Shopper
Initially, I was hesitant. “Shopping without touching the products? What about quality?” sounds familiar? That’s exactly what I told my daughter. But then I needed to buy a laptop for my son’s coding classes. The same model that cost ₹65,000 at Croma was available for ₹48,000 during the Black Friday sale. That was my “aha” moment!
Why I’ve Changed My Shopping Calendar
As a working mom managing a home and a part-time catering business, I’ve discovered some unexpected benefits:
The Pressure-Free Zone
Remember last Diwali? I spent three exhausting evenings after my office hours, rushing through Matunga Market for festival shopping. This year, I’m planning differently. Black Friday sales mean I can:
- Order Riya’s dance competition clothes early
- Replace our ancient washing machine (it’s making those sounds again!)
- Get my husband’s anniversary gift without him tagging along to the store
The Kitchen Connection
Running my weekend catering business taught me about smart investments. During last year’s sale, I bought:
- That sturdy food processor I’d been eyeing (perfect for my bulk orders of chutney)
- Premium steel storage containers (goodbye, plastic!)
- A new air fryer (my low-oil samosas are now a hit!)
My Personal Tips for Mumbai Moms
After some hits and misses, here’s what I’ve learned:
- The List Trick Keep a “Price Watch” note on your phone. I track prices of items we need throughout the year. My current list includes:
- Water purifier filters (always costly!)
- Sports shoes for my growing teen
- That Prestige cooker set my mother-in-law hints about
- The Multi-Cart Strategy I maintain shopping carts on different sites. Amazon might have better deals on electronics, but Myntra often wins for kids’ clothes. Remember that gorgeous Banarasi saree I got from Ajio last sale?
- The Night Owl Advantage Login late night – seriously! I found the best deals on my pressure cooker at 1 AM while feeding my cat, Milo. Less traffic on the websites means faster checkout.
Real Talk: When to Skip the Sale
Let’s be honest – not everything needs to be bought on Black Friday. Skip it when:
- Your local Matunga market vegetables are fresher and cheaper
- Your trusted Crawford Market spice vendor offers better quality
- You need to try clothes with specific measurements (my blouse shopping disaster taught me this!)
A Final Note from My Experience
Last year, I saved enough during Black Friday to add an extra dish to my catering menu by investing in good equipment. This year, I’m eyeing a coffee maker (my morning filter coffee ritual needs an upgrade) and some organizational stuff for Riya’s art supplies.
Remember ladies, we’re not just shopping – we’re smart investing. Whether it’s for our kids’ needs, home upgrades, or our own small businesses, timing is everything.
PS: I’d love to hear about your Black Friday plans! Are you eyeing something special this year? Drop your stories in the comments – maybe we can share some savings strategies over virtual chai!
-Priti Shah Mom, Home Chef, and Accidental Tech Shopper
This article was authored by one our guest bloggers.