[imagesource: Flickr / Jernej Furman]

In eight days, you’ll be encouraged to buy things you really don’t need with countdown timers and claims of limited stock.

Yes, Friday, November 25 is Black Friday and the FOMO is real.

Rather than going in blind with your credit card at the ready, I’d suggest a little foresight.

Make a list of what you need, or really want, so that you have some degree of focus and don’t end up blowing the December budget before summer has even been declared open.

While there are great deals to be found locally, some of the biggest savings come from overseas giants like Amazon, Target, Best Buy, Walmart, and so on. Many of those deals are available online well before November 25 and it’s here that you can get extra crafty.

Rather than gawk with envy at the discounts abroad, South Africans can still order goodies from retailers that don’t ship to South Africa through Postbox Courier.

You’re provided with a free overseas shipping address, and you can ask for free quotes on the costs associated with having any purchases sent to South Africa before you go forward.

Once you’ve given the all-clear your purchases will arrive at your door in three to five working days, shipped over as a single delivery.

No customs hassles, no hidden costs, and if you get cracking you might even have your goodies before your neighbour who ordered off a local site on the day.

Buying from trusted retailers, like those big names we mentioned earlier, also ensures you don’t end up being taken advantage of over this period, when cybercrime notoriously spikes.