The holiday season seems to sneak into life earlier and earlier each year. However, for most people, the holidays begin at Thanksgiving. The day after this holiday, Black Friday, is by far the biggest shopping day of the year. Many stores offer amazing discounts on this day. The idea behind this is to get you into the store so you will do the majority of your holiday shopping there. However, smart and savvy shoppers take advantage of these Black Friday deals to get the most for their holiday budget. Before you head out to the sales, keep the following tips in mind, and you will win the holiday shopping game!
Pay Attention to Doorbusters
The doorbuster sales are what make Black Friday such a good time to shop. These deals are the reason to step away from the leftovers and go out shopping. If you are a savvy shopper, you can find the best prices of the year. However, when you are looking at these deals, make sure you check out the fine print. In some cases, the store may only have two or three of the item in stock–this means you could find yourself on a wild goose chase and miss out on time that you could be out chasing other deals.
Compare and Shop Around
While you are out taking advantage of the Black Friday specials, you may be tempted by an impulse buy. During this season, more than ever, it is important to compare prices. That blender that seems like a good deal at one store could be half the price with a doorbuster deal at another store. Luckily, there are a number of online tools and apps that can make it easy to compare prices. When you spend the time to compare prices and shop around, you can avoid making impulse buys too–saving your holiday budget for more important purchases.
Take Advantage of Price Matching
More stores are offering price matching as a way to get you to choose them for your holiday shopping. Look into the price matching options and you may be able to do more of your shopping at the same store, saving you time as you save money.
Shop Online with Free Shipping
Some of the best Black Friday deals can be found online. Practically every large retailer and many small ones have online stores that sell the same products that are available in person. Additionally, you may find a larger selection of sizes and styles on the website. Check out the online coupons and deals. If you can find free shipping, these online deals can be even better. Shopping online saves you time, gas and stress.
Utilize Holiday Shopping Tools and Apps
Using a deal finding tool, available online or via an app, makes it easy to locate those doorbuster deals and special offers. You can also view ads and store hours online. These tools can make the entire Black Friday process much easier and less stressful. Now that you have learned a few techniques for approaching Black Friday, it is time to review the ads and make your list of “must-get” gifts. If you approach this big shopping day with a solid plan and the right tools, you can knock out a lot of your holiday shopping, save money and have some fun in the process.
Bio: Missy enjoys finding the best deals and the best prices and Black Friday is no exception. When she isn’t shopping, she’s thinking up ways to decorate her new home.
