Tips like these helped us pay off $127K in debt. You can read our story in Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After.
It’s the hottest shopping day of the year, but is Black Friday really worth all of the hype? Well the answer might be tricky depending on your needs this year and your personal shopping choices. But if you do choose to shop, these Black Friday shopping strategies will ensure you get the best deals for the least cash.
Check the Ads (NOW)
Long gone are the days of waiting for the Thanksgiving Day newspaper to discover what the hot deals will be. Most retailers now drop their ads online at least a week in advance. You can choose to directly go to a store’s website to browse the ad or you can hit a site that compiles and compares ads in one place like TheBlackFriday or BFAds. Here are some of my favorite deals at the big box retailers:
- Walmart: FitBit HR $119, Select Board Games $8.76, Memory Foam Rug $3.50, Select Name Brand Kitchen Appliances $9.72, 34 piece Rubbermaid Set $7.50, 2 in 1 Eureka Stick Vacuum$12.88, Bath Towels $1.60
- Target: Select Beats Headphones $96, FitBit HR $119, Corelle Dish Set $9.99, Towels $2, Pillows $3, iPad gift card deals, Friday ONLY: Spend $75 or more and get 20% off one shopping trip between December 4-13.
- Meijer: FitBit HR $119 – Thursday only (with $25 off another shopping trip), Kids/Mens Graphic T-shirts $4-7, 10 piece Pyrex $9.99, Select Board Games $4, Fleece lined gloves $3.99, FitBit Zip $39.99 (plus $10 off your next shopping trip), Wii U $249 (plus $30 off your next shopping trip). Be sure you use and check mPerks for rewards and more coupons! I think the deals and the opportunities for coupons are best at Meijer. It’s probably where I’ll land this Black Friday.
Read the Fine Print
Careful reading can ensure the best deal! Keep in mind that many stores also now provide a map for you so you know exactly where the deals will be located throughout the store. No more panic around black plastic wrapped pallets filled with toys and electronics. Take special note of store hours, the range of time for specific deals, special coupons, and all of the details. Also, many stores are releasing separate ads for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Be sure you know exactly which one you are viewing.
Also, more than one store is offering coupons that will enrich your deals. Browsing the store’s website, checking the apps like mPerks or Cartwheel or Savings Catcher, and keeping a close eye on your flyers and ads will make a steal of a buy even sweeter.
Do your research now. Then, you can focus on Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving Day. 🙂
Look for the Unexpected
Check any Black Friday ad and you’ll see big screen TVs, the best electronics, and the hottest toys on the front page. I’m never looking for these deals. Instead, my eyes are on the prowl for small table top appliances like coffee makers and crockpots, kids’ pajamas, socks, and underwear, pillows, towels, sheets, dishes, pillows, carseats, vacuums, board games, and other goods that no one else cares about that much. Instead of focusing on this year’s “it” item, be on the prowl for everyday goods that need replaced in your home.
Skip the Campout
98% of the time, long lines in the cold aren’t worth it on Black Friday. While you may score a limited quantity item, you might also miss out even after standing out in the cold. Rarely is the risk worth the pay off. You make a new friend or two while waiting, but you could also end up sick. Whatever savings you score aren’t worth the price you’ll pay in missed school or work, OTCs, or a trip the MedExpress.
If you don’t feel like being out in the middle of the crowds and the crazy this week, you can skip the stores all together. While you might not be able to find the household good deals that I love so much, many of the electronics, toys, and hot items can be found online. Amazon has gone toe-to-toe with Walmart and Target in the last few years. I plan on blogging some of my favorite deals, so you could stay in your comfy pants and snuggle in a blanket, scoring great deals from the comfort of your couch.
Shop Local on Black Friday
In the last two years, I’ve seen the best deals on Black Friday in the non-chain stores. Local restaurants, spas, and boutiques run specials that can’t be beat and might even offer great freebies, too. My two favorite stops last year were JenDaisy and byTavi. I even broke my “don’t stand out in the cold” rule for JenDaisy (rules were sometimes meant to be broken). If you have a favorite destination, call, drop by, or check their social media channels this week to see if they’ll be running specials on Black Friday or Small Business Saturday!
Want more Black Friday tips? Check out:
- Winning Black Friday Strategies
- Five Surprising Black Friday Purchases
- Smart Black Friday Shopping Tips
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free
[…] like Black Friday, you should be skipping the hot, big ticket items and instead be looking for things you really need […]