Want to handle Black Friday like a boss? Read my hacks below to make sure you don’t make these common mistakes.
1. Check prices NOW
I hate to be a Debbie Downer but more than half of the merchandise “on sale” for Black Friday is actually just regular price. Do your research ahead of time. Stores lure you in by the great deals on the first couple of pages of the ad. Good thing you are reading this so you won’t fall for those tricks. 🙂
So if you are determined to get that 50 inch smart tv, check the prices right now and compare them to the ad. This is just ensuring you are getting a good deal. A simple google search using the shopping tab will show you a variety of stores and prices for the exact item you are searching for.
2. Set a budget/list beforehand
You need to have a budget and list of items before you even think about leaving the house. You can do your budget in a number of different ways. One option is just having one total black friday budget. Once it’s gone it’s gone. Another budget idea is planning by store. Give yourself a limit per store that you can’t rollover or exceed. Ex. $200 for walmart, $100 for Victoria’s Secret, $50 for Target. If you only end up spending $150 at Walmart, you can’t roll it over to the next store. Lastly, use cash only. We all know we spend more when we use debit or credit cards so cash limits our spending naturally. I will say, if you have a large budget I wouldn’t recommend walking around with a large lump sum of money in your purse or wallet. Safety is the most important!
Make a list of who’s getting a gift, what they are getting (if you know), and the price range you are willing to spend. This helps with impulse buying. Example below:
- Mom- Apple Watch- $130
- Dad- TV- $150
- Sister- Airpods- $130
- Kid #1- Toys- $100
- Kid #2- Clothes- $75
Now since you’ve written your list, you will go after those specific items. You won’t be as tempted to roam around the store picking up everything that looks like a great deal.
3. Compare Ads/Plan
After you’ve gotten a general idea of the normal prices and made your lists, now you need to see who has the best deals. Everybody has their BF ad online so it’s pretty simple to research. Looking for an apple watch? Google the ads for all the stores selling apple watches on Black Friday.
Once you’ve figured out which store has the best deals for the items you need, it’s time to plan! Check to see what time stores are opening or if they are offering online options. Look at your list and prioritize what items are most important. A lot of stores are starting their sales online before the in store sales. It would probably be in your best interest to try to get it online first. If it sells out, you can still go to the store. This doubles your chances on those popular, limited quantity items.
4. Only go to stores on your list
One of the worst things you can do on Black Friday is roam around the mall without a purpose. Guess what… EVERYBODY will have a “sale.” Guess what else.. if it’s not on your list, you don’t need it! Remember, a lot of this stuff is not actually a great deal. Stores capitalize on everybody being in the shopping mood and do anything to get you in their store. Once you are inside and see everybody grabbing merchandise like wild people, you will do the same. You will hear somebody say, ” Did you see they have these? It’s such a good deal!” Next thing you know, you’ve picked up 5. Don’t fall for it! Stay strong and go to the stores you planned on going to originally.
*Bonus* Don’t fall into the cyber weekend traps
This hack jumps off the topic of Black Friday for a second. The weekend after Thanksgiving, you will be bombarded with emails about online deals you can’t miss. While a few of these will actually be great deals, most of them will be average at best. Retailers know you are in the mood to shop and spend money. Same principles we discussed earlier still apply. Check multiple sites to see if it’s really a good deal. Also, if it’s not on your list then you probably don’t need it.
5. Have fun and spend wisely
At the end of the day, this should be a fun day spending time with your family. I have some great memories shopping with my family on Black Friday. Nothing like realizing Christmas is officially around the corner. I just want everyone to have a good time and not go crazy spending money they don’t have. If you don’t have the money, don’t spend it. It doesn’t make sense to run up thousands or hundreds of dollars on a credit card in one day.
It’s okay to not shop on Black Friday. It’s also okay to only go to one store for one item. Do what’s best for you and your situation. Don’t let other people or social media pressure you into spending.
Are you a Black Friday shopper? If so, What are some tips you’ve learned in past years?
