Every year we over stuff ourselves on turkey and all the fixings just so we can go out the next day and shop until we pretty much drop. Black Friday has become a tradition that seems to end Thanksgiving and start up the gift giving season. With all that turkey and laughter from Thanksgiving still in your system it might be tough to make budget friendly decisions for Black Friday. There are a few ways you can take to the stores and get everything you need without overdoing it. These tips are easy to follow and might actually have you relaxing the day after Thanksgiving instead of getting stressed out and lost amongst the crowds. So, get ready to make this most financially savvy and productive Black Friday you’ve experienced!
1. Shop Online
Sometimes the best way to keep your sanity during Black Friday is to not go out at all. There’s a lot of online shopping that can be taken care of during this holiday, so make sure you don’t miss out on it. In fact, most stores offer the exact same deals online as they do in the actual store! This means you don’t have to shove past other shoppers to get what you want, you get to avoid the long lines entirely and you don’t have to waste gallons of gas looking for parking spaces! A lot of stores will even throw in free shipping for their Black Friday shoppers which makes the deal a whole lot sweeter. You might want to check out stores that only allow you to shop online, like Amazon, because they tend to have some of the biggest deals on the market. The only thing you really have to worry about with online shopping is making sure you have a great connection that will help you stay on top of all the deal releases. So, find your favorite pajamas and make some delicious coffee because you might be in for a long day of shopping.
2. Set the Alarm
Sure, no one wants to wake up to a harsh alarm clock after a day filled with eating, but if you want to get the best deals you’ll have to be willing to sacrifice sleeping in. When it comes to Black Friday you might find that the best deals out there are offered very early in the morning, so you will want to be up and at the store before it opens up. A lot of people will even camp out at the store just so they can be one of the first in line. Make sure you know when all of the best deals are happening so you will know when you should be up. Of course, some shoppers choose to take a nice nap after dinner and hit the deals on Thanksgiving Day. There are a few stores who will help you shop early so make sure to schedule around openings so you don’t miss out on anything. If you do plan on shopping like this make sure to bring water and snack bars with you because it might be some time before you can break.
3. Technology
When it comes to utilizing your time on Black Friday you might want to stick to the technological items on your list. Generally these items tend to be more expensive and usually have the best discounts on the big day. Everything from gaming consoles, televisions, computers, games, movies and music will be discounted greatly on Black Friday. The technology section might be one of the most crowded areas in the store, but you shouldn’t let it bring you down if you have a lot of these items on your list. Getting your technological items out of the way also means you’re finished shopping for the bigger ticketed items so you can easily move on to the smaller items as the season progresses.
4. No Clothes
A lot of people want to spend quite a bit of time going through the clothing section on Black Friday which could be a huge waste of your time. Although there might be some deals out there for clothes you will actually find a better clothing sale in January, so you might want to ditch the clothes shopping altogether so you can get your money’s worth on Black Friday. Of course, if there are a few clothing items you just want to get out of the way then you might want to stick to a simple rule. If the price isn’t a 40% discount then you might want to steer clear of the deal. You won’t get the price you deserve on such a huge day of discounts so just skip it until later. The chances are you’ll find a good deal closer to the holiday anyway!
5. Utilize Smartphone
This Black Friday make sure you have your phone charged and ready to go for an exciting day of sale leads that you’ve never before experienced. As people become more reliant on their cellphones stores have started using special apps to help draw in business, especially on huge sale days like Black Friday. If you have certain stores that you know you’re going to be visiting then make sure to download the store apps before you head out to do some shopping. This will allow you to know when the store will release a new deal as well as what is actually on sale and for how much. You smartphone apps will also give you importation that will show you coupons and rebates that might not be available anywhere else. So, if you plan to do some smart shopping this season then make sure you have your phone ready for action too.
6. Look Early
Black Friday deals aren’t always focused on Friday. In fact, many stores will hold deals the week prior to the day or even the week after. These extended deals could help you save a whole lot of money if you play your cards right. Generally deals that last longer have less of a crowd so you can easily go through and find the things you want without having to feel stressed to grab whatever is in sight. Deals that last longer also tend to feature a wider of variety of goods so you can make sure you get the best possible deal on everything you need. Without the stress of having to fight for the items you want and push through big crowds you will be able to make smarter decisions that will ensure you get the most for your money and get the items needed for your holiday list without having to wait for the last possible minute.
7. Charge It
Although you might not find it wise to charge things to your card all of the time you may want to utilize the credit card during Black Friday. There are many advantages to using the card and most them actually protect you as a consumer. For instance, depending on the card you may find that you get a little more of a warranty with the credit card company than you do with the regular warranty. This is especially great when you’re buying technological items. Some cards will also ensure you have a return policy you can rely on which will allow you to return an item even if the store want to put up a fight about it. Other cards will also offer a discount if you purchase the item somewhere and find that it is cheaper elsewhere. You may need your receipt and proof of the lower price, but you should be able to save more money this way. A lot of cards will also offer points toward future purchases so make sure you pick a credit card that will give back when you shop this season.
8. Gift Receipts
Any time you buy something will be given as a gift outside of the household you should always ask for a gift receipt. This will protect you and the recipient in a number of different ways. For starters, shopping at Black Friday is almost a month prior to the holiday itself which means your gift is going to be out of use for a little while. If it turns out your gift doesn’t work properly on the day it is opened a gift receipt will allow you the recipient to head to the store and get a product that works just fine. You may also find that something doesn’t fit someone properly, with the receipt the person can easily get the correct size or trade it for something of equal value. With this receipt you won’t lose out on money because the gift didn’t work out for someone, instead your gift can be replaces or swapped at no extra cost to you, which is a relief when you’re shopping for people that are hard to buy for.
9. Coupons and Rebates
Even though Black Friday deals are already going to be pretty awesome you may find that there are still amazing coupons and rebates that can save you even more money! Before you go out shopping look online or in your local ads for coupons that take away an even greater percentage off of your purchase. You might want to check to make sure these deals are available on Black Friday so you don’t have to worry about holding up the line with coupons that aren’t valid. Some stores will even have coupons at the entrance of the store so you find great savings before you even start shopping. If you’re looking to buy technological items or items for the car then you might want to look around for rebates before you go out. Just because you’re getting a great deal on your items doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to find a rebate to take a good portion of the money away too. Make sure you know what you’re going to buy ahead of time so you can easily seek out the rebate and get in mailed in soon. You should also ask the sales clerk about rebate options too, just to ensure you get the best deal possible.
10. Research
One of the smartest things you can do before you go out shopping is a little research. You might enjoy the freedom of shopping on any other day, but having a researched and detailed schedule could save you hundreds in the long run. You can easily plan out your shopping routine by going online and finding the deals you want to follow and what else you would like to get at the store. You should work towards getting the more important items on your list first, but make sure you strategize your shopping plan so you don’t have to feel rushed or so you don’t end up spending too much money before you get to a certain item. Keep an eye out for sales plans around a week before the big day so you can easily get your shopping done for less.
As you get ready to venture out and grab the best deals on your holiday gifts you might want to remember to keep the holiday spirit in mind. It might be a frustrating day, but you can also fill it with excitement and fun if you know how to shop right. With these simple tricks you can be on your way to a full Christmas Tree before the month of December even begins. So, grab your coupons and get ready for a huge day of savings that will have you prepped for the busy season ahead of you.
