Here’s How to Win Black Friday
(Photo: Thinkstock)
Black Friday. The two words evoke a slew of emotions ranging from dread and terror to anticipation and excitement. While seasoned shoppers have their game plan timed down to the second, the rest of us find our unprepared selves among a mosh pit of confused, sleep-deprived shoppers ready to pick a fight.
So why do it? Though the stay-at-home crowd scoffs at the hoards of harried shoppers, for people on a budget, Black Friday is a chance to purchase presents for friends and family (and maybe something for yourself too) at super slashed prices.
Here are seven tips to make this year’s Black Friday go as smoothly as possible.
1. Dress Like It’s a Sport
Taking into account the amount of ground that shoppers cover, you can consider your cardio covered for the day! Make sure you’re wearing a good pair of sneakers to be able to go the distance and hit every store on your list.
2. Schedule Out Where You Want to Go
Some retailers are open on Thanksgiving Day, while others have staggered opening times on Friday. It’s all about making the most of your limited time, and having a planned schedule will optimize efficiency. You can find the opening times for major retailers here.
3. Plan Your Shopping List
To avoid the kid-in-a-candy-store syndrome, have specific items in mind for your Black Friday outing. Knowing ahead of time what you’re there to buy will increase the likelihood that you actually get what you want, rather than get distracted by endless browsing.
This strategy also allow you to plan out a budget, where you can leave a little room for spontaneous purchases. Black Friday is about saving money, so have a set plan so you don’t end up overspending.
You should also factor in your priority level for your shopping list. Is there a specific flat screen television that you definitely want? Work with your store-opening schedule to build a shopping itinerary around the items you want the most.
Don’t let too many bags slow down your shopping! (Photo: Thinkstock)
4. Bring Larger Tote Bags for Consolidation
A large-sized sturdy tote bag will help hold a number of smaller ones to free up your hands. Better yet, tell the clerk to keep the paper shopping bag and save a tree!
5. Divide and Conquer
If you have a fairly extensive shopping list to check off this week, try to split up the items between shopping buddies. Divide up items for purchase by location between a group to reduce the amount of driving and walking between stores. You’ll not only save time and energy, but will also be more likely to buy desired items before they sell out.
6. Guide to Black Friday Deals
Every store will have a host of special deals this day, but in order for you to plan your day, here are some particularly enticing sales:
Overall Deals Highlights:
Breaking Bad Complete Series 2014 Barrel ($150) Amazon
Keurig Elite ($100) Best Buy
Fitbit Flex ($69) Walmart
Find more here.
Fashion Sale Highlights:
Asos - Take 30% off everything, and save up to 70% off all sale items.
Lacoste - Take up to 50% off select styles from Black Friday through the weekend.
Banana Republic - Until 1 p.m., take 50% off one full-priced item and 40% off your purchase all day long in-store only.
Find more here.
Tech Sale Highlights:
11” MacBook Air ($779) Best Buy
Vizio E550i-AO 55” TB $479) Amazon
Samsung Galaxy S5 2 cents with two-year contract on AT & T Target
Find more here.
(Photo: Thinkstock)
7. Consider Cyber Monday
Before taking the plunge and braving the Black Friday crowds, don’t forget to factor in Cyber Monday. Online shopping on Monday can offer equally discounted deals, which you can peruse from the comfort of your couch. Do your homework, and find out what you can buy on Cyber Monday to save yourself the extra effort of having to physically go in and buy it on Friday.
Thanksgiving weekend can be stressful, and it often leaves you feeling like you need a post-holiday holiday. From Colorado to Peru, these travel deals will spark your wanderlust.
Many Cyber Monday deals aren’t released until the day of the sales, but you can use apps like cybermonday.com, TrackIf.com, and BuyVia.com.
You can bet that larger brands will want in on the online shopping frenzy, so check out the website of a store that you may not have been able to buy a specific item from on Friday.
Happy shopping!
