Category Archives: Black Friday

James Allen Black Friday Deals 2025: Engagement Rings & More

No Early Black Friday Sale in 2025

James Allen typically runs an Early Black Friday sale from mid- to late-October. Last year, they gave us 25% off sitewide through October 28, 2024. This was pretty consistent with years past, except in 2023 when there were higher percentage discounts — but only on a few select items.

In 2025, though? There was no Early Black Friday Sale. You had to wait for the big day itself. Luckily, that day is already here.

How long does it take to get a ring from James Allen? Typically, engagement rings ship within 7 to 21 days. But that timeline can vary depending on the production schedule of your ring.

Black Friday Sale: Up to 20% off select items through November 30

The James Allen Black Friday Sale is officially live! It’s running Nov. 21 — Nov. 30, 2025 this year, so hop on the savings while they last.

This year, you can shop select items for up to 20% off while the Black Friday Sale is live. Some of the discounts will be less, and not everything listed on their ‘deals’ page is discounted.

I have to be totally honest – this is quite different from last year. In 2024, James Allen offered 40% off sitewide, with a few select exceptions. To be fair, that sale was quite the outlier – it was the best one that ran in the 10+ years I’ve been watching the company. Prior to 2024, sales were typically either 25% off sitewide, or 25% off engagement rings only.

So while this year’s sale is not as earth-shattering, it’s not terribly far off from years that weren’t 2024. And up to 20% off of something as expensive as an engagement ring can add up to big bucks when you look at the dollar amount. You can still find a good deal if you take the time to look. James Allen already tends to offer prices lower than traditional brick-and-mortar jewelers, and the fact that you can customize your engagement ring really ups the offerings compared to the standard.

PRO TIP: Sales run in Eastern time. That means if you’re in California, technically the Black Friday sale will end at 9p on November 30th.

James Allen Cyber Monday Sale 2025: Biggest Discounts Ever

The James Allen Cyber Monday sale is up to 50% off in 2025!

To give you some context, up until 2023, the James Allen Cyber Monday sale was identical to the Black Friday and Early Black Friday sales. That usually equated to 25% off. In 2024, it was also 25% off while the official Black Friday sale was 40% off.

Now, the caveat here is that the 50% off doesn’t apply to everything on the site. But it does apply to a lot. The Cyber Monday sale lasts through December 6, 2025.

While 50% off is the biggest discount I’ve ever seen from James Allen, there are other items with smaller percentage discounts. These items tend to be more expensive, so even though it’s a smaller percentage it may end up being a wash in terms of real-dollar savings. It all depends on what you’re buying.

For example, there are a ton of wedding ring bands included in the 50% off sale, but if you’re custom-building an engagement ring, you can get up to 20% off engagement ring settings through December 6, 2025.

Plus, if you order from this sale, you could have your ring in time to propose over the December holidays! At the time of writing, engagement rings are shipping by December 19, 2025, and many other items that aren’t necessarily customized are shipping by December 4, 2025.

BONUS IN 2025: Post-Cyber Monday Sale

Something fun happened this year! There’s a post-Cyber Monday sale…and it’s pretty darn good. Through December 15, 2025, you can get 40% off fine jewelry. The discount only applies to this category, but the savings is pretty darn huge.

Missed the December 15 deadline? You can still save! After that, the 30% off fine jewelry sale will kick in through December 25, 2025.

Happy savings, and I hope they say ‘yes!’

11 Great Reads of 2024

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It’s holiday shopping season!

I do have a few Black Friday posts up for you:

But as a writer, I wanted to take a minute to encourage you to give the gift of a book this year. Books present knowledge in a way that’s harder to come across in our bite-sized-attention-span culture. They can provide us with fantasy, escape or art.

And ultimately, buying one supports an author.

I read some truly incredible books this year, so I’ve put together a list to give you some ideas as you make the holiday shopping rounds. I’m recommending you shop through Bookshop.org where possible, which sources its books from local, independent bookshops. That way you know the money you’re spending is supporting a small business rather than a soul-sucking megacorporation.

Plus, Bookshop.org already has sales live on most of these titles. I’ll be watching them to see if the price goes down further as we get closer to Black Friday/Cyber Monday.

TIP: While it doesn’t necessarily work for gift giving, if you want to read any of these books but don’t have the budget, put a request in at your local library. If they don’t already carry the title, the request may get it put on shelves. That way the author gets paid for the purchase (made by the library), and you get to read the book. For free.

The Feminist Financial Handbook

by Brynne Conroy

Obligatory ask! If you’re a reader here on Femme Frugality, you’ll almost certainly like The Feminist Financial Handbook. Every copy purchased helps support yours truly, and I’d love to hear what you think after you read.

Great Money Reads of 2024

2024 was a great year for money books! Here are 5 that you should definitely pick up.

F.I.R.E. for Dummies

by Jackie Cummings Koski

I work in this money space. I’m familiar with the FIRE (Financial Independence/Retire Early) movement. I’ve run my numbers. And I’ve arrived at the conclusion that it’s not a viable pathway for me.

But if there’s anyone that could encourage me otherwise, it’s Jackie Cummings Koski. Jackie breaks the mold when it comes to your typical FIRE stereotype, and this book does a really good job of inspiring anyone, regardless of your life path, to pursue this type of freedom. And of course, she provides the framework to help you break down the numbers and do the math.

Even though I know my numbers, she energized me enough to run the calculations again. To imagine I could reach them. I don’t know that I’ll ever get there — my financial obligations are larger than most people’s. But thanks to this book, I started dreaming for the first time that maybe, just maybe, I could.

I’m going to have a full review of this one up in the coming weeks. Be sure to sign up for the newsletter — you’re not going to want to miss it!

Neurodivergent Millionaire

by Shalese Heard

GET IT HERE

Looking for a quick read that will release you from some money shame — especially as a neurodivergent person? Pick up this book!

Full Review: Neurodivergent Millionaire

Stock Market 101

by Michele Cagan, CPA

If you’re interested in FIRE, you’re highly likely to be interested in this book, too. Michele Cagan is a super-savvy CPA, and is uniquely adept at breaking down complex topics into manageable, understandable content for lay people.

I’ve got a full review coming for this one soon, too! Keep an eye out.

Starting a Business 101

by Michele Cagan, CPA

Same incredible author. Slightly different focus. This one is best for small business owners or would-be entrepreneurs. Again, full review coming in the next few weeks.

The Great Transformation

by Karl Polanyi

Maybe you feel like there’s something “off” with Adam Smith’s conception of capitalism. But you can’t quite put your finger on it.

Or maybe you can definitively put your finger on 40 different things, but you can’t tie them together cohesively.

Enter Polanyi. He absolutely tears Smith and his ideology apart, pointing out the numerous errors in his work and correcting them. If you work with money or capitalism directly or tangentially in any way shape or form, this is a must-read.

I honestly feel like I’ve been waiting for this book my entire life.

It was published in 1944.

It’s existed my whole life.

And I only heard about it in 2024.

I’m still wrapping my head around that fact.

Great Non-Money Reads of 2024

Believe it or not, I don’t only read about money. Here are the other phenomenal books I’ve read this year, listed in the order that I read them.

Race, Politics, and Irish America: A Gothic History

by Mary M. Burke

This book is mandatory reading if you’ve ever:

Called yourself Irish.
Worn a t-shirt that says “Kiss me! I’m Irish!”
Used St. Patrick’s Day as an excuse to get drunk.

I’ve begged a couple people this year to read it so I’d have someone to discuss it with. To no avail. I’m not going to lie — it’s the densest book on this list. So I understand why no one has taken me up on it.

But I’m really hoping one of you will. If you do, let me know?

Pro tip: Immediately after reading, watch Killers of the Flower Moon. Even if you’ve seen the movie before.

After: A Doctor Explores What Near-Death Experiences Reveal about Life and Beyond

by Bruce Greyson, M.D.

I don’t know what to tell you all. But there’s probably something after this.

Over my life, I’ve oscillated on whether or not I believe in an afterlife. Any guesses I made at it seemed somewhat irrelevant.

But the scientific approach Greyson takes to the topic in this book is simultaneously pretty convincing and moving. It makes you think about how you conduct yourself in the here and now, too.

Highly recommend.

Inland

by Tea Obreht

Obreht writes magical fiction. It’s really an experience. Every story of hers that I’ve read involves some Bosniak characters, and it was cool to see their place in American history highlighted in this book.

Another good one by Obreht is The Tiger’s Wife, though that admittedly wasn’t a 2024 read for me. Read that one a number of years ago now.

Soul Fury

by Rumi & Shams Tabriz

I’ve read a ton of Rumi over the years. You know how they say art is the thing that makes life worth living?

That’s how his poetry makes me feel.

And this one is no exception.

It was the first collection I read with a significant contribution from Shams Tabriz. And I’ve gotta say…his work may be a little too crude for my tastes. Lots of bodily functions. I understand the metaphoric purpose that serves. But it wasn’t my favorite.

The Indigenous Paleolithic of the Western Hemisphere

by Paulette F.C. Steeves

The only reason this one is listed last is because it was the last non-money book I read this year. But HOLY WOW.

Not only does this book decolonize archeology, but there are some pretty big bombshells in there aside from the now-obvious “Clovis-first-is-not-real.” For example, there may have been hominims that weren’t homo sapiens in America — and the reason we know that is because some of the archeological sites Steeves examines are from a time before homo sapiens had left Africa.

The most important lesson in this book is that Indigenous people in America have been systemically disenfranchised from the right to have their own history acknowledged on an international stage — though that should not be confused with the fact that they do and have claimed this history in spite of massive oppression.

But another lesson I got out of the pages is that when you disenfranchise Indigenous peoples, you’re really cheating everyone. Out of knowledge. Out of history. Out of science.

Read it.

Like the Irish book, it goes beyond a recommendation.

It’s an obligation.

The awful book I read this year.

Then, there was one that wasn’t so wonderful. I’m not really someone who DNFs books typically, so I did give it an honest shot. Read it all the way through. And the epilogue was a big part of what made it so terrible.

Hippie

by Paulo Coehlo

DO NOT GET IT ANYWHERE

Earlier this year I found myself discussing Sufism at a social event.

We weren’t gathered to discuss Sufism. We were there to hear our friends play music.

But when you socialize with me, those are the kinds of conversations you’ll find yourself having.

In the course of this discussion, someone suggested Hippie. When I was younger I had read The Alchemist and loved it. Thought it was soooo deep. I was much less impressed when I went back to read it again a decade later. I had grown. The writing hadn’t.

But for the sake of sentimentality, I thought I’d give the Hippie recommendation a shot.

Bad call.

Coelho is decent at poetry that lays it on a little thick. I’ll give him that. But this books also reveals him to be a raging narcissist, and an unaware one at that. By the time I got to the epilogue I found myself asking,

“What the hell did I just read?”

Do not recommend. And if you read it, please don’t spend any money on it. Again, the library is free.

Sailor Moon Gift Guide (On A Budget)

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This post is in collaboration with Etsy.

I’ve been living my best 90’s life lately, and that includes a renewed obsession with Sailor Moon. Today, we’re going to take a look at gifts for the Sailor Moon fanatic in your life. Because inflation feels bonkers after the past few years even though we’ve settled into a lower YoY rate, we’re also gonna keep you on a budget.

Plus, starting tomorrow, you can find prices even lower with Cyber Week sales at the Etsy holiday hub. You’ll wanna hop on those as they end on December 3, 2024.

And also because depending on which shop you purchase from, shipping can sometimes take a beat when you’re shopping on Etsy. Other times it’s super speedy. It all depends on the individual shop owner.

Happy shopping, fellow nerds!

Sailor Moon Christmas Ornament

Price: $11.00
Get it from: TeamGiftsThatGlitter

Sailor Moon Mug

Price: $28.01
Get it from: AnimeCharmsNL

Sailor Moon Journal

Price: $14.70
Get it from: AzuDraws

Sailor Moon Music Box

Multiple designs available
Price: $24.97
Get it from: TotoroTunes

Luna iPhone Case

Price: $24.99
Get it from: TheWhimsyBoxx

Sailor Guardian Fridge Magnets

Price: $6.63
Get it from: PixelNerdEU

Sailor Moon Pot Holders

Price: $14.00
Get it from: JustJoAndCo

Sailor Mars Print

Price: $19.37
Get it from: yuzimiONLINE

Vintage Tuxedo Mask Doll

Price: $13.95
Get it from: WrenLane

Sailor Moon Apparel

From tees to hoodies to earrings, from Chibiusa to Usagi Tsukino, this gift guide has something for everyone — all for under $30 a pop.

The Wicked Lady Tee

Price: $10.38
Get it from: pinkSHARKs

Sailor Squad Hoodie

Price: $22.00
Get it from: AllintimeCollabs

Serena Tee

Price: $28.73
Get it from: lushloverose

Sailor Moon Earrings

For cosplay or everyday use. Whether you’re fighting evil by moon light or joining up with the Spectre Sisters. Sailor Moon earrings for everybody — even if you’re on a budget!

Sailor Saturn Earrings

Price: $16.00
Get it from: StarBucketDesigns

Koan Earrings

Price: $25.00
Get it from: PearlsandPaperRoses

Shop Smart: Black Friday Appliance Sales in 2024, Featuring Maytag Black Friday

Can I get my free electric stove from the government yet?

Remember the Inflation Reduction Act? It was the law that issued a whole bunch of money to states for their citizens to make green updates to their homes. One of the clickiest headlines was that the government would buy you an electric stove.

And in some instances, it will. Other home appliances that will be covered by IRA credits include:

Heat pumps.
Water heaters that use heat pumps.
Clothes dryers that use heat pumps.
It’s not just stoves — also covered are electric ranges, cooktops and ovens.

The credits are applied upfront, which means it reduces your price at checkout. Depending on the item, it can make your purchase 100% free. No waiting until tax time to get your money back. It’s money you don’t have to take out of your wallet in the first place.

But there are a few questions you’ll want to ask yourself first.

Is my state’s HOMES program live yet?

The oven and other appliance credits fall under the HOMES program as defined by the Inflation Reduction Act. In 2024, the first states started implementing these programs. But there’s not many of them that are live.

Some of them that are live are only initially covering a single item, like a heat pump. Most states that have live programs require you to make your purchase through or with the help of a state-approved contractor. So it’s not like you’ll be able to make your purchase online with Black Friday promo codes, though as more states open up their programs there is a potential for that option in the future.

The states that currently have the appliance program (or some abbreviated version of it) live are:

Do you live in South Dakota?

South Dakota has definitively decided not to participate in the Inflation Reduction Act rebates. So if that’s where you live, there’s no point in waiting to make your purchase. Go ahead and shop those Black Friday sales without hesitation.

Keep reading — we’re getting to the big deals in a minute!

What is your income level?

The appliance rebates only apply if you’re in the right income band.

If you make 80% or less of the median income in your area, these rebates could make your purchase completely free (depending on the initial sticker price.)

Look up your area median income (AMI) here.

If you make 150% or less of the median income in your area, the credit is good for up to 80% of the purchase price.

At least at the federal level. States are allowed to make the income thresholds lower, but they’re not allowed to make them higher.

What this means is that if you make 151% or more of the AMI, there’s no point in waiting for the appliance credits. You’re not going to qualify for them no matter where you live. Depending on your state, the tipping point may be even lower.

Is this a purchase that can wait until next year?

If your oven is broken, you need a new oven. In this economy, you can’t wait until 2025 to start cooking food in your own home again. Shop the Black Friday sales.

But if nothing’s broken and you can wait until next year to make the purchase, it might be worth holding off. We’re expecting a flood of states to open their IRA appliance programs next year.

See where your state is in the process here.

Plus, many of the states that already have their programs in operation will be expanding beyond the pilot phase, which will make the credits easier to access in 2025.

Maytag Black Friday Sales

Alright, so you’ve determined that one of these three scenarios applies to you:

You live in South Dakota.
You make 151% of the AMI or more.
Your appliance is broken broken, and needs to be replaced NOW.

Let’s take a look at some of Maytag’s Black Friday sales to save you some money!

Maytag Black Friday promo codes

There are two promo codes you’ll want to know. The first is BF5. That code will save you 5% off your order through 11:59p EST on December 4, 2024 if you’re buying with a new account. But there is some fine print:

Excludes ground shipped products and express delivery. Only valid for select models. Discount taken off regular or sale price excluding taxes, delivery, install/uninstall and haul-away. Only valid for new orders on maytag.com. Offer subject to change. Promo code sent to new account holder email. No cash value. While supplies last. One-time use only.

The other one is more lucrative if you’re buying multiple appliances. You can use promo code BMSM to save $100 if you’re buying 2 major appliances, or $200 if you’re buying 3+ appliances. Your total basket has to be at least $1,000 for the promo code to apply. And again, it’s good through December 4, 2024 at 11:59p EST. Some more fine print for you:

Excludes ground shipped products and express delivery. Only valid for select models. Discount taken off regular or sale price orders above $1000 excluding taxes, delivery, install/uninstall and haul-away. Only valid for new orders on maytag.com. While supplies last.

Black Friday free shipping

Shipping on major appliances can be EXPENSIVE. That’s why it’s super cool that you can get free shipping on orders of $399+ through December 4, 2024 if you place your order by 11:59p EST. No promo code needed. Here’s the fine print on this offer:

Delivered to a single U.S. address. Availability of delivery, install & haul-away services vary by location see checkout for services available to you. Excludes ground shipped products and express delivery. Dollar threshold based on sale price of in-home delivery products excluding taxes, delivery, install/uninstall, and haul away. Only valid for new orders on maytag.com. Major appliances limited to washers, dryers, refrigerators, ranges, cooktops, wall ovens, microwaves, dishwashers, hoods, ice makers and compactors.

Maytag Black Friday Sales Prices

Then, there are the base sale prices — before any promo codes or other offers are applied. There are some good ones this year! But you will have to keep in mind that these are starting prices. While you’ll see reductions all over Maytag’s site, even with the reduction some items are going to cost a little more.

Here’s what you can expect for starting prices across categories through December 4, 2024 at 11:59p Eastern.

Dishwashers as low as $469
Washers as low as $549
Dryers as low as $549
Ranges as low as $679
Cooktops as low as $899
Wall Ovens as low as $1,499
Refrigerators as low as $769

Are there other ways to save money?

There sure are! Let’s take a look at two options.

Existing state rebates

Whether or not your state has their IRA rebate program up and running yet, it may have other, pre-existing rebate programs that could help you get some of your money back after you shop the Black Friday sales.

For example, in California you can get anywhere from $250 to $1,000 back when you purchase an electric range or induction oven. The amount depends on which type of oven you’re switching from and where you’re located in the state.

Let’s say you’re in the City of Healdsburg and you’ve got a gas stove. You replace it with a $679 electric range on sale from Maytag. Plus, you purchase with a new account and use the promo code BF5 to get 5% off, bringing the price down to $645.05.

Then, after your purchase, you apply for your rebate with the city. In this case, the rebate is $500. That brings the total price of your oven down to $145.05.

Not bad!

You will want to check with your state or city’s program to ensure the model you’re buying qualifies. But these programs can save you a lot of money if your state’s IRA rebate program isn’t up and running yet — or if you don’t qualify for your state’s IRA rebate program.

Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit

For select items, you can claim the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit on your taxes when you file in the Spring. If you can get the IRA credit, that’s better. The credit amount is larger and it’s applied at checkout.

But if you need to make your purchase now and your state’s IRA program isn’t up and running yet, the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit can still help with some purchases. It can help the most with:

Heat pumps. Must meet specific CEE standards.
Heat pump water heaters. Must meet specific CEE standards.
Biomass stoves or hot water boilers. Thermal efficiency rating of at least 75%.

If you purchase one of these items, you’ll be able to claim a credit worth either 30% of the project price or $2,000 — whichever is less — on your federal tax return.

It’s important to note that this credit doesn’t put money back in your pocket. It can only reduce your tax burden down to $0. But if you’re making the purchase anyways, you might as well claim it!

Saatva Black Friday Deals 2022: The Best Sleep of My Life

Early Black Friday

Last year, Saatva kicked the shopping season off with its ‘Black Friday in October’ sale. This sale ran from October 14, 2021 to October 16, 2021. The deal was up to $400 off your total purchase.

It was the first Black Friday sale Saatva ever held that early, and it ended up getting extended a few days through the 18th.

This year, they didn’t run an ‘Early Black Friday’ sale quite so early per se, but they did offer a similar deal in October.

Through October 27, 2022, you were able to get $200 – $400 off your purchase with the Mattress Extravaganza. The amount you saved depended on how much you spend:

Spend $1,000 – $2,249 to get $200 off.
Spend $2,250 – $2,499 to get $225 off.
Spend $2,500 – $2,999 to get $250 off.
Spend $3,000 – $3,999 to get $350 off.
Spend $4,000+ to get $400 off.

Will a Saatva mattress sag? Saatva makes super high quality mattresses, so they’re highly unlikely to sag. However, if you personally have repeated issues with sagging mattresses, you might be interested in the Saatva HD Mattress. It uses 12.5-gauge steel coils that are 25% stronger than the industry standard.

Second Early Black Friday Sale

The Early Black Friday Access sale is here! And it’s running through 11:59p on Nov. 18, 2022.

UPDATE: This deal was extended through Nov. 21, 2022!

With this sale, you can get anywhere from $225 to $500 off. Here are the spending tiers for the discount:

Spend $900 — $2,199, get $225 off.
Spend $2,220 — $2,999, get $250 off.
Spend $3,000 — $3,499, get $300 off.
Spend $3,500 — $3,999, get $350 off.
Spend $4,000 — $4,499, get $400 off.
Spend $4,500+, get $500 off.

Did Saatva prices go up? They sure have! I’ve counted four price changes in the past year. Each time the increase has been marginal — prices on mattresses in particular have gone up by $40-$80 ish total, depending on model. The product is still worth the price, in my opinion, but it does make shopping sales all the more important.

Saatva Black Friday

Saatva’s 2022 Black Friday sale has launched!

From Nov. 22 — 27, 2022, you will get the same deal that was offered during the Early Black Friday Access Sale:

Spend $900 — $2,199, get $225 off.
Spend $2,220 — $2,999, get $250 off.
Spend $3,000 — $3,499, get $300 off.
Spend $3,500 — $3,999, get $350 off.
Spend $4,000 — $4,499, get $400 off.
Spend $4,500+, get $500 off.

PLUS, during the Black Friday sale, you can get $225 off Adjustable Base Plus bundles.

Is Saatva made in China? No, Saatva is not made in China. Every last mattress is made in the United States.

Cyber Monday

In 2021, the Cyber Monday deal didn’t just last one day — Saatva ran the sale through the entirety of Cyber Week.

We can be relatively confident that the base Cyber Monday deal will stay the same as the prior two sales. When Saatva ran its Early Black Friday sale, it went out of its way to assure customers that they wouldn’t get better deals if they waited to shop longer.

They wanted to give people plenty of time to place their orders and get it shipped in time for the holidays, which also alleviates strain on supply and delivery chains.

We may or may not see them do something similar to the Black Friday sale, where they throw in a unique bonus discount on top of the discount-per-amount-spent.

We’d expect either the Black Friday sale to be extended a couple of extra days, or the Cyber Week sale to start on Saturday. It’s highly unlikely that Saatva would leave people without holiday savings over the weekend.

Who is Saatva owned by? Saatva is owned by co-founders Ron Rudzin and Ricky Joshi, representing the furniture industry and entrepreneurial circles respectively. Saatva is privately owned.