Can you believe it’s already almost that time of year again? The Christmas Season and all its madness have quickly creept up upon us. And with the Christmas season naturally comes that special occasion of Black Friday where just about everything is on sale. It can be a little bit extreme in some circumstances, but fear not. Here’s a few of my Black Friday shopping tips for getting the most out of the occasion!
Taking It All In Fun:
I’m not at all an advocate of consumerism. I used to be very against Black Friday Sales thinking it was just some ridiculous marking ploy to make people part with their money. And to some degree it is. But like many things in life, I’ve learned to see things from a different angle and just go with the flow. If you think of Black Friday as more a “running with the bulls” type experience than as an actual shopping event, it can be a little more fun.
Now I DON’T wake up at 3AM or stand in line at Best Buy for days or anything like that. I just wake up at my normal time and take advantage of all the non-door-buster deals that are going on. I’ve snagged printers, USB drives, flash cards, and dozens of other things I know I’ll need throughout the year at some pretty decent prices.
And in terms of actually buying presents, you can pick up some pretty fantastic buys at a great price. Last year my daughter and I were able to get something very sparkly for Mrs MMD because of a little research and a great sale that was being ran on Black Friday.
So if you’re up for a little bit of craziness, here’s a few Black Friday shopping tips that I’ve learned to help make the day a success.
Black Friday Shopping Tips Surviving the Experience:
Even if you’re not after the door buster sale, Black Friday is not one of those days where you leisure your way around Target and take your time to think. It’s a war zone. You have to get in, find the hostages, and then get out as quickly as possible. In order to be successful at this, a good solider needs to have the following:
1. Do Your Research. Make sure you look up and browse through the sale ads ahead of time. Most of the popular ones like Walmart and other stores will have their ads available far in advance. Plus it doesn’t hurt to print or bring the sale ad in with you!
2. Make a list. Check it twice. Once you know which items you’ll be going after, make a list and stick to it. It will be far too easy to get to the store and want to buy everything in site (and the stores will be counting on this!). So avoid paying regular price for everything else by just sticking to your main list. Plus it helps to limit yourself to only a few select items where you stand a good chance of getting them.
3. Do a little comparison shopping online first. Even though you may think that Black Friday offer is pretty good, what if its already that price on Amazon or another website for cheaper (and with free shipping)?
4. Can I use a coupon? Black Friday Shopping Tips or not, it never hurts to use a coupon to save even more! The Internet is full of coupon sites where you can type in the name of the store you’re about to go to and see if you can score a few extra bucks off the already discounted price. It’s worth the few seconds it takes to do the research.
5. Remember to maximize your rewards points. If you’re going to spend money, you might as well do it in a way that pays you back! Check your credit card’s rewards program to see if they have any good seasonal deals going on getting extra cash back. For example my Chase Freedom card has a 5% cash back deal for everything I buy at Kohl’s. Strategize enough and the rewards will add up quick!
6. Don’t get caught up in the moment. Like I said, it’s going to be a war zone! Go in with the full expectation that things are going to be crazy and you won’t feel so anxious. One of the worst mistakes you can make is getting overwhelmed by all the ruckus, and then just buy the overpriced bottle of perfume at Macy’s or pay regular mall prices simply because you happen to be at the mall and just want to get the shopping over. Don’t do that! Make sure you stick to your list and go with the choice that’s going to give you the best value.
Readers – Who among you will go out on Black Friday looking for Christmas presents? Any good shopping tips for getting the most out of the experience?
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Image Credit: deanzajour21.blogspot.com
Holly@ClubThrifty says
I got my shopping done early this year so I can avoid the whole giant holiday shopping mess! Now all I have to do is wrap gifts!
MMD says
You are very, very wise! The majority of ours is done too. I do like to see if I can score at least one major gift for the wife on Black Friday. Plus my daughter and I have made a little tradition out of going out together and it can be a lot of fun.
John S @ Frugal Rules says
Good tips, but I’ll be enjoying it from home! 🙂 One other point to keep in mind is to be aware of the store’s return policy. Many stores will not take returns on the deeply discounted items.
MMD says
Good point! You have to watch those pesky return policies!
Michelle says
I have never gone Black Friday shopping, the lines are just too long!
MMD says
It’s something to try once!
Thomas S. Moore says
Honestly I still feel like you used to feel about Black Friday. I hate the crowds and the sales too many people packed and waiting in line for things I want. I prefer to just shop online. Usually something new comes out after the holidays that I want so I will take my chances. Nice tips for those willing to be brave.
DC @ Young Adult Money says
I think picking out a few things and sticking to only getting what’s on your list is the best strategy. I will look at some of the deals and will probably end up getting luggage for myself and my wife and maybe some gifts.
You also don’t need to get up at 3am anymore…Target opens at 9pm and Wal-Mart at 8pm! I can only imagine that other stores will start pushing their hours up so that you can just stay up late instead of getting up early.
MMD says
I’m glad to see the whole 3AM thing is gone … but for the wrong reasons. I wish they would leave Thanksgiving Day sacred and open at normal times the next day.
Budget & the Beach says
Great tips! But I’ll be staying home not buying much, or better yet out playing beach volleyball working off the pumpkin pie. 🙂 I’m afraid if I walked into any store I’d lose control over spending on things I didn’t need.
MMD says
That would be amazing to go to the beach on or after Thanksgiving! Why don’t I live in California again?
Justin @ The Family Finances says
I thoroughly enjoy getting out on Black Friday. My usual starting time is 5:00 am. I check all the ads and have my list made up well in advance. I usually only buy a few things, but I enjoy the experience and think its quite fun. One of our strategies if both me and my wife go is that she’ll get in line right away while I run off to grab our few items for purchase. By the time I get back, we don’t hardly have to wait at all to check out.
MMD says
Justin, that is a pretty brilliant strategy! Good team work between you and your wife! And I agree – it’s all in good fun.
femmefrugality says
I just can’t do it this year. Seems like the sales have steadily gotten worse and worse over the years, and it’s not worth the headache of dragging the little ones out at 6 AM. I guess I could find a sitter, but I think I’ll just celebrate Small Business Saturday instead. There’s always Cyber Monday for those internet deals, too!
MMD says
The Internet deals have really lowered the importance of Black Friday. Gone are the days of having to fight crowds for that one and only item that might be all gone if I don’t rush out and get it.
Lance@MoneyLife&More says
I doubt I will go for Christmas presents but may pick up something I was looking for ahead of time.
MMD says
There’s always something good on sale that I was going to need anyways. I’m thinking new hard drive this year …
Mo' Money Mo' Houses says
Even though we don’t technically have Black Friday here in Canada, we do get deals online around the same time. That’s how I got some pretty good deals on Christmas presents last year. Great tips!
Brian says
There are always some crazy stories from Black Friday. Some people just take it way too seriously – its funny to watch from North of the border. However, some of the sales are pretty good, so I am jealous about that.
Jason Clayton | frugal habits says
I have never been out on Black Friday. I’m usually sleeping and wake up by the time it is all over.
That being said, these are some great tips on maximizing your efforts… especially like the rewards idea.
MMD says
Might as well double-dip on something you were going to buy anyways!
justin@thefrugalpath says
We’re going to staples/cvs/and a local grocery stores. No long lines, no waking up at 3 am. And we’re not buying any presents. Just getting good deals on stuff that we need. I don’t see the point in camping out at Best Buy when I can spend time with my family playing Clue (my brother in law is addicted to it) and having fun.
MMD says
I completely agree. I stood in line really early only one time in my life, and I’ve never done it since. Even when you hit the stores at 10AM or so, you can still find some pretty decent deals.
Kim@Eyesonthdollar says
I always feel like I need to wear a shield or something. Too many people make my head spin. We may go out if there is a really, really good deal on tablets, but no way will I be up at 3 AM.
MMD says
No need to wake up at 3AM or anything. You’d probably be ahead to just go with a Kindle or iPad for a tablet off the Internet.
Untemplater says
I love looking for deals, but I won’t fight the crowds. If I do end up spending money on Black Friday it will be online. I have to work though, so most of the good stuff might be sold out by the time I get around to checking.
MMD says
You have to work? That’s too bad. The deals are good, but you realistically could probably just fine what you need online for a still very good price.
RichUncle EL says
I have to agree, I have scored great gifts and a few items for myself on black Friday, all I do is get up regular time and head over to the stores that will have the least amount of traffic. The good thing for me is that my area is highly populated and we have an abundance of retail stores. In a two mile radius I can hit three malls. Can you believe that?
MMD says
It can all be a numbers game! If there are more stores than people interested in Black Friday, then you’ve got some real opportunity.
Alexa says
This will be the first year in a long time that I don’t have to work on black friday. I am definitley not a person to fight the crowds so I will probably just skip the door busters and go a little later in the afternoon.
MMD says
Even when you go in the afternoon, you’ll still find some good deals. I’ve even gone on Saturday and found some great buys!
MMD says
Even when you go in the afternoon, you’ll still find some good deals. I’ve even gone on Saturday and found some great buys!
Nurse Frugal says
I am guilty of the black Friday shopping. What I do is I do all my shopping and research online. What’s the sense in going in to the chaos when I can accomplish the same stuff online? My husband and I usually save up the majority of my clothing money for this time of year since I can find majorly discounted items 😉 Most stores honor the same discount online that they do in stores……save the gas money and the headache!
MMD says
Very constructive strategy! Even in the week before and after Black Friday, you can still score some pretty decent bargains. We just did a little shopping today and almost every store was entirely half off.
Matthew Allen says
I have no aspirations to ever “run with the bulls,” as you put it. And I won’t be shopping on Black Friday anytime soon. I can’t stand shopping with regular weekend traffic, let alone with all the crazies who come out for this ridiculous annual event.
MMD says
It’s all good Matt. One less person to compete with that day.