It’s that time of year again, Collegiettes! Black Friday is rapidly approaching, as you may or may not have noticed, and it’s time to gear up. We all know the madness that Black Friday is notorious for. Despite the pushing and shoving for discounted retail items and waking up extremely early, Black Friday can be an amazing morning full of retail triumph. This year, many stores plan on opening Thanksgiving evening (and some even opening Thanksgiving morning), making the competition for the best sales and deals even fiercer. But fear not, for I have created a foolproof Black Friday Survival Guide that will make your Black Friday a little less crazy.
1. Preparation is Key
Before leaving the safety of your own home, make sure to have a solid plan of attack. Make a schedule of what stores you need to go to at what time in order to ensure that you will be successful in purchasing what’s on your wish list. For example, if Target is having a BOGO sale on all makeup (can this happen please?!) from 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM only, and Walmart is selling TVs all day for 70% off starting at midnight, you will definitely need to plan out your priorities. Be at Walmart at least an hour in advance to make sure that you’re able to purchase a super cheap TV before anyone else, then make your way to Target for the BOGO makeup.
It’s all a process of planning out where to go and when, rather than scrambling around like most people do on Black Friday. Shop smart, not hard. Also, make sure to look through advertisements that you get in the mail and those available online to search for the best deals and at what time they will be going on. Making a list of the sales and deals in order of priority will greatly aid you in determining what stores you need to go to. Yes, I know, it is quite the science, but if you want those amazing deals, you have to work for it!
2. Create a Shopping Team
If you haven’t decided if you’re going shopping on Black Friday or not, I suggest you decide as soon as you can so you can build your shopping squad. It is crucial to build a tough and hard-working Black Friday team to accomplish all retail goals. Gather up a group with a few of your best friends, your parents, your siblings, your extended family, your roommates, or even your professors! Build your team wisely with a strong group of shoppers who have quick reflexes and unlimited credit cards. After you have created your team of Black Friday enthusiasts, it’s time to take on the nearest mall. Use your team to divide and conquer.
TIP: Make sure all of your phones are all charged up and ready to go – nothing says Black Friday disaster like one friend with a dead phone who is lost in a sea of shoppers at Macy’s.
3. Stay Focused
I’ll let you in on a personal struggle I face every single Black Friday. I go in extremely focused, with an organized list of where I’m going at what time. But the moment I step in to a store (usually any clothing store found in the mall), all of my focus dissipates. I immediately want to go shopping for anything I didn’t plan for, such as the cute new boots that H&M has displayed perfectly, right in front of the store. This causes my concentration to be destroyed, leaving my perfect budget in shambles. By the end of the day, I end up with 5 more shopping bags than intended (and less money in my wallet). Learn from my mistake, ladies. Stay focused. Resist the temptation to buy more than you planned for. Stay on track with your must-haves, unless it is an absolute retail emergency.
Good luck with all of your Black Friday escapades, Collegiettes! May the odds be ever in your favor…