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There’s always much controversy around Black Friday. Should you shop? What about how early the sales begin? Is it really worth the time and the crazy and the traffic and the parking lot? My answer is typically yes and no. You can definitely find some items at their lowest prices of the year. You can also wear yourself out and feel overwhelmed. That’s exactly why you need to put some specific strategies into play if you do go shopping this Black Friday. Here are my best tips for keeping the cray cray at bay while you score phenomenal bargains.
Camping Out is Overrated
Listen, I love the great outdoors. I just don’t love the hard sidewalk. I don’t really think it’s worth your time, energy, or the chiropractic bill to get in line hours before a store opens. Yes, you might miss out on a limited number of items but you also run a risk of catching a cold and landing yourself in the doctor’s office with a bill for a prescription. Be there when the doors open or just a bit before, not hours or for heaven’s sake days. No bargain is worth that, friends.
Draw Up a Battle Plan
No one brings home a championship trophy without a game plan. No one achieves a goal with out a written strategy. You need to know what items you plan on purchasing, where, the store’s hours, and even the locations of the items within the store days before you shop. Luckily, the internet allows you to do all of the above. Before Thursday (you want to enjoy your turkey after all), sit down and explore the deals. I love the sites bfads.net or theblackfriday.com to see all of the ads in one place. However, almost every store out there has leaked their ad online already. Gone are the days of waiting for that big fat newspaper and being surprised. You can investigate and formulate your best use of time and money in advance! Many ads even go as far as listing where the doorbuster deals will be located throughout their stores with a map. Again, note the hours that particular bargains can be had – stores are beginning to rotate the times.
Leave No Man Behind
The one thing I have learned after years of Black Friday shopping is that you need a friend and co-shopper to battle the aisles. This is incredibly important in places like supercenters where there can be cart gridlock and you’re seeking to pick up multiple items. Designate one shopper to be the keeper of the cart and park it somewhere under trafficked like the pharmacy or cleaning aisle. The other individual can then dart in and out of the busy store picking up the best deals.
Look for the Unexpected
That hot new toy or electronic item is what everyone else will want this year. But we know you’re not like everyone else, now are you? Instead seek out items that are at their lowest price but with much less flash. I have five items I’m always looking for this time of the year (it’s probably not what you’re thinking) but you should look beyond the flash on the front page and dig through the back of the ad to find what you want.
Stay Home
It’s ok to not love Black Friday shopping. You can still score plenty of bargains and deals. Amazon has taken to price matching the fabulous in store deals and will have phenomenal lightening deals all day long. Many of the big box retailers will also have smashing deals both on Black Friday and on Cyber Monday. If it’s not your thing, don’t force it. Snuggle up in your pjs and see what you can score on the internet.
Do you shop in stores or online on Black Friday? How do you save? Looking for more Black Friday tips?
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