Black Friday Shopping Debt Could Linger Into 2027 for 1 in 5 Americans

Black Friday offers some of the deepest discounts of the year, yet for many Americans those purchases may come with payments that last well beyond the holiday season. A recent survey indicates that about one in five shoppers expects to still be paying for Black Friday buys after January, underscoring the hidden cost of seasonal spending.

With credit card balances already straining household budgets, even an affordable-looking purchase can become expensive once interest starts building. As Black Friday nears, understanding the financial risks behind those deals may help families avoid entering a new year with added debt.

Why Black Friday Debt Can Carry Over Into the New Year

A 2026 Black Friday survey from Omni Calculator found that 22% of respondents expect to keep making payments on their purchases after January 2027. The same survey showed that 6% are still paying off items bought during the prior Black Friday, a reminder that shopping debt can linger for a long time. Still, not every shopper will be in debt for the full year, since repayment schedules differ widely.

Among those surveyed, 18% said they plan to use credit cards while carrying a balance, while another 15% expect to rely on buy now, pay later services. Together, those numbers point to the possibility that Black Friday spending can become a longer obligation than many shoppers first expect.

Holiday Debt Is Already Putting Pressure on Households

Warning signs extend beyond Black Friday itself, especially for households still working through earlier holiday bills. An October 2026 DealAid survey found that 22% of respondents were still paying off purchases from the previous holiday season. In addition, 28% said they expected to take on new debt for holiday shopping, and 51% reported feeling pressure to spend more than they could comfortably afford.

For families already juggling rent, groceries, insurance, and utility payments, one more monthly bill can take away money that might otherwise be set aside for emergencies. The issue is not just how much people spend during the holidays, but how those purchases affect their finances months later.

Credit Card Interest Can Cancel Out the Savings

A marked-down television or laptop can seem like a good deal until interest changes the final cost. Imagine a shopper who puts $1,000 on a card with a hypothetical 24% annual percentage rate and pays $50 each month without adding new charges. Using monthly interest calculations, repayment would take about 26 months and generate roughly $290 in interest. In that case, the $1,000 purchase would cost about $1,290 in total, potentially eliminating the savings promised by the sale. The point is simple: a discount only helps when borrowing costs do not outweigh the price cut.

Buy Now, Pay Later Comes With Its Own Risks

Buy now, pay later plans are appealing because they break purchases into smaller installments. But the Omni Calculator survey found that 53% of buy now, pay later users expect to still be making Black Friday payments after January, compared with 16% of other shoppers. Although many of these plans advertise interest-free installments, missed payments can lead to fees or other penalties depending on the lender and terms.

Juggling several payment plans at once can also make it harder to see how much of next month’s income is already committed. Before choosing an installment option, shoppers should check due dates, late-fee policies, and whether the purchase fits alongside existing bills.

Past Holiday Spending Shows How Fast Debt Builds

Past spending trends offer another reason to be cautious around Black Friday. A LendingTree holiday debt study found that 37% of surveyed consumers took on holiday debt in 2025, with borrowers averaging $1,223. Parents with children under 18 reported even higher average debt of $1,324, reflecting the financial demands many families face.

Among holiday borrowers, 40% said their interest rates were at least 20%, making repayment especially costly. These results show why families should set spending limits before browsing deals, instead of deciding what they can afford at the register.

Some Shoppers Are Rethinking Black Friday

Some Americans are already changing how they approach holiday spending. A Bank of America survey conducted in late October 2026 found that only 17% of respondents planned to do most of their holiday shopping on Black Friday, down from 25% in 2025. Meanwhile, 29% said they expected to do most of their shopping in early or mid-December, suggesting the traditional rush may be losing some of its pull. The survey also found that 87% expected to keep holiday spending the same or lower than the year before.

Spreading purchases over several weeks can give shoppers more time to compare prices, though it only helps financially if overall spending stays within budget.

The Best Deal May Be Ending the Year Without New Debt

Black Friday savings mean little if the resulting payments interfere with next year’s financial goals. According to Experian’s 2026 credit card report, the average consumer credit card balance reached $6,659 in March 2026, showing how much debt many borrowers already carry. Adding holiday purchases to existing balances can raise interest costs and slow progress toward emergency savings or other priorities. Before checking out, shoppers should consider whether the item is truly needed, whether the discount is real, and whether they can repay the cost without giving up essentials.

Would you rather pass on a Black Friday bargain or spend months paying for it? Have you ever regretted a holiday purchase because of debt? Share your experience in the comments.