Martin Lewis issues important advice ahead of Black Friday sales just around the corner

Martin Lewis has shared some pointers on what to look out for, with Black Friday on the horizon.

It used to be one day, but Black Friday seems to last the entire month these days, with shops all over the world taking advantage of consumers' thirst for good deals.

We all remember the chaotic clips from the 2010s, of people stampeding into shops as they opened on the final Friday of November, though it has luckily become a lot more tame.

You shouldn't forget these key points on Black Friday, according to the expert (ITV)

However, there are some tips you'll want to keep in mind before going on the prowl for money-saving discounts on items you have on your list.

This year, the fateful day falls on 29 November, with deals expected to go until Cyber Monday (2 December), and there are a number of things you shouldn't forget, according to the Money Saving Expert website.

Martin Lewis' number one tip

We're all guilty of buying something just because it's 70 percent off, even though we may not have had our eye on it in the first place - but this is the biggest no-no, according to Lewis.

It reads on the website: "If you were going to buy it anyway and it is half price, you've saved 50 percent.

"If you weren't going to buy it, but you do cause it's half price, you've wasted 100 percent."

Check prices now

Google Shopping is a recommended tool for checking prices on a product you really want.

It's important to flick through the stores that are selling the item you want, and compare them against sale prices 'to make sure you've found the best deal on that day.'

Use price tracking tools to check the deals

Price-tracking tool CamelCamelCamel can help you get the best deal on Amazon. What it does is cover several retailers' prices and reveal its price history.

This also helps you compare offers at different times to see if their Black Friday deal is something to shout about.

You should compare the prices of a product to other stores before buying it (Getty Stock Photo)

Look out for sales on one-off items

You should be careful, as if stores are trying to make you purchase items that you usually wouldn't, there could be a reason behind it.

Store-wide discounts on items with 'plenty of stock' are better bets, giving you a higher chance of getting what you want, for cheaper.

Don't dismiss department stores

If you're looking on the brand's site and can't find the item in the sale, it's worth a quick look at department stores, which may have an abundance of stock, forcing them to sell it for cheaper.

People often forget, but they can sometimes offer the most enticing deals come Black Friday.