Here's How to Make the Most of Black Friday Deals, According to Two Shopping Experts

Two online shopping experts share their savings secrets with PEOPLE ahead of the year's biggest sales

‘Tis the season to shop, and ‘tis the year to make the most out of Black Friday sales.

Between all the discounts and deals, it can be overwhelming to navigate the annual shopping bonanza. (That's why our shopping team has taken all the guesswork out of it and highlighted the best finds here!) But if you really want to make the most out of the weekend's markdowns, PEOPLE has enlisted two shopping savants to help guide the way.  Rakuten’s Shopping and Trend Advisor Bella Gerard and RetailMeNot's Shopping Expert and Editor Kristin McGrath are offering their two cents on how to save much more than pennies.

Check out these professional tips on how to fill your shopping cart efficiently this Thanksgiving weekend.

Make a Game Plan Beforehand

As McGrath notes, consumers are going to get the most out of their experience if they have a plan before they start shopping. But at this time of year, a simple wishlist might not cut it. Whether you’re heading in-store or scrolling online, Rakuten’s Gerard says setting a budget will prevent overspending and keep you focused on what you actually came to buy.

“It can be tempting when you see the deals and discounts, so stay strong and do your best to stick to the number you’ve set!” she says.

Once you’ve set some spending boundaries, Gerard suggests identifying “top-priority purchases” to avoid “impulse buys you don’t actually need.”

As you lay out your day-of game plan, don’t neglect the importance of timing. According to McGrath, plenty of major retailers start giving deals earlier in the week. (For example: Amazon’s Black Friday sale started a week early, and you can shop it now!)

“Check retailers' Black Friday ads and announcements to see exactly what time their sales kick off,” she advises. “Being ready when the sale goes live can make the difference between snagging a great deal and missing out.”

Related: 50 Under-$50 Target Black Friday Deals You Can Get Now

Sale Prices Aren't the Only Way to Save Money

Go above and beyond discounts and save the most money you can. Even if it takes a little more effort than simply adding an item to your cart, both McGrath and Gerard support smart comparison shopping in order to find the best deals and options.

“Black Friday moves fast, but taking an extra beat to compare across retailers, find promo codes, find cash back offers and get familiar with price history can go a long way toward saving the most,” says McGrath.

So even if you're typically loyal to one retailer, it might pay (literally) to open a few browser tabs before "adding to cart."

“There are so many deals happening on Black Friday, and while many are similar, it’s essential to compare as many as you can to ensure you’ve got the best deal before committing,” McGrath says.

A price history tool, like the CamelCamelCamel browser extension, can help expedite the process — as well give you key information, like how an item’s cost has changed over time.

“That will help you see if an item is discounted deeply, or barely discounted at all,” McGrath says. “Retailers sometimes show a high 'original' price next to the discounted price to make a deal seem more impressive. A price history tool will tell you if that ‘original’ price has ever been offered, or if the discounted price is actually the usual price.”

There’s also a chance an already great deal can get a little better. Browser extensions like RetailMeNot’s DealFinder can automatically generate and apply possible promo codes you can tack on for even better deals.

Another key tool: cash back offers, which doubles savings by refunding you a percentage of what you spend on certain items. Rakuten offers this tool as a browser extension to take the guesswork out of finding where and how much shoppers can save. 

Related: 61 Amazon Deals on the Best Products We Tested in 2023 Ahead of Black Friday

Related: I Find the Best Deals on Amazon for a Living — Here’s What’s in My Cart Before Black Friday

There's No Need to Shop in Person

The days of stampedes at the door and fights over the final item on the shelf are over. (Unless, of course, that’s how you prefer to spend Black Friday — we don’t tradition-shame!) These days, Black Friday can be tackled from the comfort of your own couch.

“Many retailers are opting to focus their higher deals online, or hold off on the best savings for Cyber Monday,” Gerard tells PEOPLE. “If you’re buying a hot-ticket item, online can also be better for ensuring there’s enough inventory to go around.”

Related: Amazon's Black Friday Sale Is On! Shop Lego, Dyson, and Apple for Up to 78% Off

'Treat Black Friday as Round One' — But Don't Hold Out!

“All of Thanksgiving week and weekend have blurred into a deals marathon. Treat Black Friday as round one and get everything you can,” says McGrath. If your first few purchases don’t pan out the way you wanted, you’ll likely have another chance to buy hot-ticket items on Cyber Monday.

McGrath adds that most retailers end up repeating Black Friday deals on Cyber Monday, and in some cases that second discount might be slightly better. However, this isn’t the most reliable chain of events.

“In the past few years, deals have been similar throughout the entire weekend, it's not a good strategy to ‘hold out’ until Cyber Monday,” she explains, advising to snag a deal if you see one and it fits your budget. “The strategy is to start online on Black Friday and hit up Cyber Monday as your final round.”

Related: Walmart's Black Friday Sale Already Has Deals on AirPods, TVs, Legos and More

Stay Informed About Sales to Come

If you missed out on a good deal, don’t lose hope! You’ll likely have another opportunity to take home that coveted item that sold out too quickly.

“Black Friday and Cyber Monday are definitely our most hyped-up shopping days of the year, but there are consistently awesome post-holiday deals to consider as well. Many retailers also clear out their inventory from the previous year in January, leading to some pretty amazing discounts,” Gerard says.

She adds that you can stay informed about sales year-round by using browser extensions (Rakuten has a cash-back button, while RetailMeNot has an extension that runs all the available coupon codes for you) and by keeping up with individual retailers. “Follow your favorite brands on social media, and sign up for their newsletters so you never miss a notable flash sale or markdown,” says Gerard.

Related: Tory Burch’s Black Friday Sale Discounts Are So Wild, We Thought They Were Typos

Shop Wisely, and Know What to Avoid

If you’re looking for some guidance as you sort through your wants and needs, McGrath suggests checking out electronics and small household appliances, like blenders, vacuums, and air fryers, as those prices typically drop to their lowest all year.

It’s also key to pay attention to the quality of the item on sale, says McGrath — rather than just picking the lowest price you see.

“You need to be careful of the very cheapest doorbuster TVs, as they might be older models or lower-quality sets. Go up in quality, as the set might still be at a great price and it'll last you longer,” she notes.

As for what to avoid? There are some key Black Friday traps, says McGrath; for instance, holiday decor isn’t as marked down as one would think: “It's always front and center in retailers' Black Friday ads, but it'll be more discounted at the last minute."

Gerard adds that some categories of retailers won't lean in to the holidays as much as others. (Our sibling sites Investopedia and The Balance can help you nail down best purchasing times for categories you're interested in.)

“I’d suggest holding off on buying linens and bedding, fitness equipment, clothing and accessories, unless you have your eye on a specific item or brand and are familiar with their pricing year-round,” she says. “Lots of retailers save their best deals for other times of the year, when there’s less competition and buyers won’t be overwhelmed with shopping fatigue.”

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