Nervous for Black Friday?? Black Friday Survival is possible with some quick and easy tips. Black Friday is my favorite shopping event of the year so much we have built into our family tradition over the years, even the kids look forward to it every year!!! However that day can be very overwhelming if you aren’t prepared for it!!! I am beginning my preparation now since ads are already being leaked now to help plan the day out!!!
Tips for Planning for Black Friday:
- Have a spending limit and take cash! I leave my debit card at home for the shopping day so I am not temped to over spend on deals I didn’t’ really want or need necessarily. I will take a bit of extra cash over what I know I am getting but this still helps to curb my spending!
- Know what or who is left on your Christmas to buy for. If there your family has birthdays right after Christmas this will be a great sale to grab a deal for the person.
- Look at the early ads (I love this ->site for early ads) this is a great way to plan out your drugstore shopping to since typically there is a ton of free items to be had and even money makers with coupons!
- Know what your household needs. On my list this year is a vacuum and a skillet its the best of time year to grab this type of appliances and kitchen gadgets. This is also one of the best times of years to shop for electronics as well!
- Shopping online is now a great way to shop Black Friday from the comfort of home if the holiday isn’t for you!! Amazon is also a great place to shop all of Thanksgiving weekend!
Planning Your Black Friday Shopping Day:
- Note store hours. This year stores are opening at different time be sure to mark the stores with high priority at the proper time and plan extra check out time and travel time to the stores. I start my shopping on Thursday mornings, I get up early and head straight to the drugstores before I put my turkey in the oven. I pick up a paper to so I have physical copies of the ads and go to town with a marker to match my lists.
- Make note if someone is handing out tickets for the item. Walmart has done this often in the past and other stores are following suit.
- Write out a list and staple it to the ad. The ad helps you have model numbers, styles, etc easily at your fingertips while shopping and the list helps you not miss anything you were after!
- Use the buddy system if you are shopping with friends or if a friend is going to a store that you need one item at. I have had friends do this for me and I have done it for others. Works out great and can save you a whole extra stop that day/night!
- If you plan to stand in line pack a blanket with a folding chair that can be carried on your back (another good time for the buddy system one can run the stuff out to the car before the door is unlocked.
- Pack plenty of water and snacks especially if you are pulling an all night shopping spree (I have done this with a friend was a ton of fun) your energy will run low as the night or day trudges on. Lines at the cafes and fast foods can be long with all the other shoppers out.
- Most importantly have FUN!!!!
After Black Friday I try not to open anything (in case something goes on sale even further it sometimes happens). I will tape the receipt to the outside of the box or bag. Plus be sure to update the list of gifts you have bought for the year, this helps to cut back on buying extra gifts. Are you a Black Friday shopper?? What are your favorite tips for that day?
Great tips, especially the one to tape the receipt to the item-I’ve lost a lot of time searching when I’ve found a better sale. My best Black Friday tip is to organize (so much easier with a smartphone): have lists of what you’ve bought and plan to get for everyone. That way you won’t forget that you already bought something for auntie, but still need to get something for cousin.