A 20-minute checklist to prepare for Black Friday software deals

The best Black Friday purchases are decided in advance. Twenty minutes of preparation stops impulse buys and makes sure you do not miss the discount on something you already pay for.

Before the sales start

List what you already pay for. Go through your card statement for software subscriptions. Mark the monthly ones: these are candidates for a discounted annual switch.
Write a wishlist of three to five tools. Things you have wanted but not bought. Note the current price of each.
Set a budget. Decide the total you are willing to spend before you see any countdown timers.
Subscribe for alerts. Deals appear over about two weeks. Getting them by email is easier than checking every day.

During the sales

Check each deal against your list first. Anything not on it needs a good reason.
For tools you already use, look for “existing customers” terms. Some deals are for new accounts only; support will often extend them if you ask.
Stack sensibly: an annual discount plus a coupon is common, two coupons rarely work.
Take a screenshot of the offer terms when you buy.

After you buy

Put the renewal date and price in your calendar, a week early.
Turn off auto-renewal if you want to decide again next year.
Cancel the monthly subscription you replaced.

What usually goes on sale

Annual plans across most categories, lifetime deals from smaller makers, and extended trials or credits from infrastructure providers. Browse deals by category to see what is live now.