It’s hard to believe that Black Friday is right around the corner. Whether you prefer the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping or would rather stay at home in your pjs, there are plenty of deals to be found. At the same time, there are traps to avoid, too. The Ultimate Black Friday Shopping Guide provides all the tools you need to score the best bargains! Plus, you can stay on track with your financial goals.
Begin Today:
I know Black Friday isn’t until later in the month, but you can begin looking today for the deals that you need. Long gone are the days of purchasing the newspaper on Thanksgiving to discover what the hot deals will be. Many stores already have their ads online on their sites. If you don’t find the the ad directly on the store website, consider using one of the following to narrow your search and begin building a plan.
- The Queen of Free’s Favorite Bargains: Throughout the week, when I find them, this is the best place to discover my best bargain tips on Black Friday and year round. It’s also the quickest way for you to share a deal with the Royal Money Saving Lords and Ladies in the Court of the Queen of Free.
- BlackFriday.com: Find ad scans for every major retailer!
- Passionate Penny Pincher: Check out the Black Friday Price Comparison Chart to see who has the best deal where.
- Queen of Free’s Best Black Friday 2018: My running list of favorite finds for this year in particular.
Surprising Items to Look For:
- Towels: Almost every store has a great deal on bath towels this year. You’ll find them at Target for , at Walmart for, at Meijer for, and at Kohl’s for. These are season (and sometimes year) low prices. If your supply looks a little ratty, snap them up.
- Sheets: In the same vein, bedsheets are another great find for Black Friday. Be sure you do a price comparison and thread count comparison from store to store before you make a final selection.
- Board Games: The holiday season (and winter in general) is a great time of the year to crack out the board games. SO many retailers will be offering great board game deals this Black Friday. Look for great buys at Costco, Target, Walmart, Amazon, and more.
- Small Appliances: While the hot ticket items like Air Fryers and Instant Pots will be at their lowest prices, the best deals are really on the smaller appliances like small slow cookers, stick vacuums, griddles, waffle makers, and more.
Items to Avoid:
- Seasonal Household Goods: Cute sheets with penguins, coffee mugs with Christmas trees, throw pillows and towels themed for the holidays? I know they look so fun on the shelves. But remember, you’ll be packing everything away come January 1st. Save your dollars for those household good bargains that last year round.
- Most Christmas Decor: I know some of you put your tree up WEEKS ago. However, most of us haven’t lugged the tubs and boxes down from the attic yet. Odds are good, you have decor you don’t even remember hiding in there. Most of the Christmas decor isn’t at its best price and probably isn’t necessary. There are exceptions to ever rule and there are some select Christmas tree doorbuster bargains you can bend this rule for. Just don’t get carried away.
- Stocking Stuffers: Now’s not the time to buy your stocking stuffers. We’ll see prices fall as December progresses.
- “Gifts” for Yourself: A major temptation for us all, buying gifts for yourself isn’t a good idea on Black Friday. You’ll end up overspending and without enough money in your Christmas budget for everyone else.
Tips for the Big Day:
- Know the Store: Many stores actually have their maps online and/or on their app. If you know you want a particular doorbuster, don’t miss the opportunity to line up where the deal is at before the deals official begin.
- Shop with Cash: Rather than swiping your card all day long, bring a set amount of cash and stick to your budget. When the money is gone, your shopping is done.
- Check Online (even in the store): Even before Cyber Monday, some of the best deals are online. In particular this year, Sam’s Club and Costco have had Black Fridays exclusively online. If you don’t like the hustle and bustle, you may be able to score bargains from your phone or laptop.
- Work Those Rebates: A lot of Black Friday Bargains depend on your follow through. You should be members of all rewards programs. You need to fill out any and all rebate forms ON Black Friday. Don’t toss it in a pile on your desk. Be proactive to make sure you get the best deal possible.
Want to learn more of my Black Friday Shopping Tips? Don’t miss these posts from past years:
- 7 Can’t Miss Black Friday Shopping Hacks To Do the Week Before
- How to Shop on Black Friday Without Selling Your Soul
- 5 Can’t Miss Black Friday Shopping Strategies
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This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal, learn about a way to save, or maybe even something for free, I may end up making a small commission. All prices are subject to change.
