Since 1952 Black Friday has been viewed as the beginning of the Christmas shopping season, and nowadays all major retailers open their doors early to offer incredibly attractive promotional sales across a wide range of different products. Whether you’re on the market for a 4K TV, a first-class camera, a new game or even a web hosting deal, you’re in luck!

In the United States, Black Friday is always set on the Friday immediately after Thanksgiving, and it is widely known as an almost insane day where people line up for hours on end in anticipation of incredible bargains for clothes, fridges, carpets, laptops, and other items.

Because the countdown has already begun and we are only nine days away, here are the six deals you should keep an eye on:

1)   Bluehost

Bluehost is renowned for being one of the top hosting providers to offer free domain registration and budget-friendly hosting services, especially when combined with a limited-time offer or coupon. We all know that web hosting services can be expensive, sometimes taking a significant toll on your monthly budget. That’s why Bluehost is a service that offers affordable alternatives for a large client base –ranging from individuals to small businesses or even larger-scale multinational companies. The goal is to allow each entrepreneur to follow their hosting ideas without having to compromise on quality or range of services.

To enhance affordability and encourage people to join the field of hosting, while satisfying returning customers, Bluehost introduced discount coupons –some of which you can find even outside the Black Friday event. This allows users to obtain high returns on investments for products and services which would otherwise cost an arm and a leg. In fact, Bluehost offers a great deal here, an attractive 75% discount for website owners, service providers, entrepreneurs, and others. Recommended by top-tier online marketers and numerous blogger, Bluehost is one deal you should keep an eye on this Black Friday.

2)   Game.co.uk

Game.co.uk is known for launching its Black Friday deals on Thursday evening before Black Friday. Whether you’re on the market for a new console or controller, the latest Assassin’s Creed game or any equipment for your gaming den, this is the place to look for it. During the last couple of years, we have seen deals go live around 8 pm and sometimes even earlier than that, as most customers have their alarms set for the moment when they can grab the best possible deal. Of course, you will need to bear in mind that the there is a limited stock allocation and thinking quick is the way to guarantee that you will grab your dream bundle deal. You might even find yourself looking at consoles, Xbox Live subscriptions, GTA V shark cards, or games you may not have wanted before gasping at these incredible deals.

3)   Debenhams

Debenhams has a whole Black Friday webpage that you can use to stop the top discounts on kitchen appliances, TVs, furniture, makeup, and even clothes. It’s rare to find people who don’t know or love Debenhams, and that’s due to the vast array of products featured both in store and on their webpage. If you’re looking for significant discounts which typically start at around 30% of the original price, this is an excellent option for you. Hey, you might even find yourself a new king-sized bed!

4)   Currys.co.uk

Currys.co.uk is another online and high-street brand that features incredible Black Friday deals. Including names such as PC World, Mobiles.co.uk, or Carphone Warehouse, Currys talks about ‘black tag deals’ rather than Black Friday. Their discounts make themselves known as early as the beginning of November, undercutting its rivals by revealing some amazing deals and exclusive products.

In the week before Black Friday, it becomes more and more apparent that Currys doesn’t shy away from rewarding its customers with attractive offers on TVs, fridges, consoles, mobile phones, kitchen hobs, and many other trinkets that you may not need but want due to the incredible price. Their top brands include Nespresso, HP, Samsung, Dyson, Sony, Bosch, Beats and LG, and these are just some of the most well-known names that you’ll have the pleasure of potentially purchasing.

5)   Argos.co.uk

Competing with Currys.co.uk, Argos features an impressive range of electrical products, starting from coffee machines or tumble dryers to consoles or controllers. There is no denying that Argos loves Black Friday and was one of the very first retailers to understand the fantastic opportunity to generate some serious revenue.

Although their deals start in early November, you will be able to see a price drop-down as the month goes on, thus ensure that you keep an eye out for these incredible options. A side note would be that last year, Argos promised that if it deals prices would be different by the end of November, they would happily refund you the difference!

6)   Amazon.co.uk

This is undoubtedly a moment you have been expecting. We are all aware that Amazon is basically responsible for creating Black Friday as the online shopping phenomenon we know it as today.  In fact, Amazon.co.uk does not shy away from astonishing deals on almost any item your mind can conceive. It’s essential to note that while the giant retail store believes that its Prime Day deals are even better than Black Friday, people are more likely to closely watch as the clock turns to the 24th of November –marking the day when Amazon goes all-out with its best-thought deals.

For those who are not yet aware, thousands of products will have a reduced price of up to 50%, including high-end electronic gadgets such as Kindle e-readers, Echo Dot speakers, 4K TVs, mobiles, and other little bits and pieces. Don’t forget that if you’re a Prime member as well, you will get early-bird access to some of the best deals Amazon has to offer, and reductions on consoles such as PS4 or Xbox One are some of the most common things that gamers love to get their hands on!

It’s fair to say careful spending is one of the biggest challenges of life in the 21st century. Thanks to economic turbulence, rampant inflation, and the rising cost of living, it’s getting harder to live without debt.

In fact, a majority of adults in the United States owe money to banks, credit cards, insurers, or student loan companies. Without careful management, these debts can spiral out of control. So, it’s imperative you stay on top of balances, deadlines, interest rates, and other details.

The good news is there are plenty of ways to escape the red zone and get back to black. Keep reading our guide to money management to find out more.

Establish Goals

Often, people find it hard to save money because their goals are too vague. You’ve got to give yourself clear, precise targets to work toward. Don’t commit to saving some money. Pick an amount and a timeframe and stick to it.

Set Up a Savings Account

One of the simplest ways to save is to take the decision out of it. If you set up an automatic payment, once or twice per month, it will happen without your help. Even the smallest amount – five or six dollars – can add up to something valuable given enough time.

Pay in an Orderly Fashion

Credit card debts are particularly nefarious because they carry high interest rates. If you owe money on multiple cards, order them according to percentage. Always prioritize the bill with the highest rate, as this is the highest stakes debt. Where possible, pay off more than the minimum amount. Otherwise, you’ll end up paying off the interest, rather than the actual debt.

Reduce Your Bills

It is easy to shave a chunk off household bills. In fact, turning the thermostat down by just one notch is usually enough to cut costs down to size. This can be tough in winter, but there are plenty of options. Turn the heating down just a little and relish the chance to dig your coziest socks and jumpers.

Change Your Cell Plan

Cell phone plans are like car insurance or mortgages. Most people stick with their current plan just because it involves less work. However, you could be missing out on major savings. Get in touch your network provider and ask about a cell phone downgrade. They’ll fill you in on the best possible package for your budget.

Pocket Spare Change

It sounds like a trivial detail, but you’d be amazed at how much money gets thrown away as change. Having a pocket full of coins can be a bit frustrating, but it’s worth holding on to them. Find yourself a jar or container. Throw in your cents and quarters. Before you know it, you’ll have a heap of coins that can be turned into notes at the bank.

Put the Credit Card Down

Credit and debit cards are wonderful things until you stop viewing them as ‘real’ spending. This is quite common. As no physical money is behind handed over, it often feels like card payments don’t really count. To reverse this effect, commit to paying for everything with cash. Set out a specific amount each day. When it’s gone, it’s gone.

Don’t forget that saving cash and taking control of your debts is all about little steps. It’s important to be patient and realize that, even though it might be a long journey, perseverance will lead to success.

It’s common to hear that choosing an accountant is similar to selecting a new business partner, and that’s because there will be a degree of trust and reliance you will depend on. Especially in the case of small businesses, making the right decision could mean the difference between you closing your doors or building your business. A good accountant can and will save you both money and time, but with thousands to choose from, it can be a daunting decision to make.

There are many excellent services available, and one such example is Xero accountants in Brighton. Their services allow clients to run their businesses as normal, then sending statements or invoices and seamlessly keeping their financial health in check.

Of course, there are multiple aspects which make this company a leader in the market, and today we will look at some of the top things you should know before making your decision:

Does location matter?

Once upon a time having an accountant nearby was an essential part of the service. Nonetheless, nowadays companies are collaborating online using innovative cloud-based technology which makes it easier for both parties. In other words, location isn’t a top priority anymore, unless you deem it absolutely necessary. Cloud accounting allows both you and your accountant to view data in real-time and even at the same times, regardless of where you currently are.

It’s essential to remember that the one-size-fits-all rule doesn’t always apply in the real world, despite it being a liberal approach. When it comes to your finances and the competitive market we are dealing with as part of our day-to-day lives, the decision of where to find an accountant will come down to your business needs. For example, some entrepreneurs are happy to attend video calls or conferences, to have discussions over the phone or via email, especially if they are prone to travelling or rarely finding spare time. In other words, if you don’t want to make compromises because of location, and you don’t have to!

You may find it easier to communicate face-to-face, finding someone who deeply understands the specifics of your industry or business and is able to attend business meetings alongside you. If this sounds similar to what you’re expecting, don’t settle for less, and pick an accountant who works nearby or is willing to travel for when you need them.

Choose a certified or chartered accountant

You will find that in nearly every country, accountants are regulated by professional bodies that hand out accounting qualifications –ensuring that the highest professional standards are maintained across the border. It will depend on the country in which you reside, but as a general rule of thumb, professional accountants may be called Certified Public Accountants or Chartered Accountants. The latter are renowned as highly qualified professionals who have completed a degree-level study in addition to work experience or competence and evaluation programmes.

The experts do come with a premium, but they can significantly add value to your business from the get-go. Mainly if you are looking to expand your company, it’s essential to have these financial Mavericks close to you from the beginning. Alternatively, you can use accountants who aren’t certified, registered, or chartered, but it will all depend on your business goals. Of course, more straightforward tasks such as tax preparation, financial management, or bookkeeping might not require a qualification or certification, but once your company gets bigger and better, the situation might change.

Choose an accountant with relevant expertise

Although it’s the feature of a good person to give people the benefit of the doubt when it comes to financial documents and tax returns, it’s best to play it safe. This means that it’s smart to choose an accountant who has experience in working with a company of similar size and revenue to yours. For example, if you are used to cloud-based software services, then pick someone with relevant cloud computing experience.

A former background of working with similar companies or in a related sector will also help, as you will know that they are in a position to understand the unique goals and needs of your organisation. If their CV shows that they used to work for larger and more prominent companies, then that’s a bonus –they will be able to handle the evolving needs of your business.

Who will I be dealing with?

Although you may think you will always interact with the person you hire, it’s not always the case. With larger firms, the person you had initially met with can pass you off to the office junior or anybody else in the firm.

As a first-time business owner, you may not be aware of this fact, and some companies will take advantage of this otherwise tiny detail.

Are we a good match?

Although this may seem like an insignificant detail, having an accountant who is loyal to your cause is indispensable. The right person will go beyond their initial prestige, being able to offer relevant advice and insight into a particular issue.

With studies showing that a staggering 59% of start-up entrepreneurs are running a business for the time in their lives, it’s important not to be naïve about your goals and needs. For example, you can ask the following questions:

    What other companies in the sector have you worked with?

    Do you have any relevant experience in this industry?

    What are the difficulties you have encountered in that industry?

    What services could you imagine providing over time?

These are just some of the questions you can address in order to test their breadth of expertise and ability to think of the evolving needs of your business.

Conclusion

Accountants offer different levels of engagement, and you will want to make sure that you establish who you will be in contact with and how often. Of course, less money will mean less being in touch, but that’s not always good when spotting issues or when handling inquiries. Make sure that you’re on the same page and that your goals align.