It’s nearly here. Black Friday is definitely on my list of favorite days of the year, falling right beneath Christmas. I love the rush of finding the best sales, it’s almost calming to me. I love saving money and I love shopping.
So Black Friday? It’s a huge win-win.
If you’re someone like me who enjoys shopping and starting their Christmas shopping early, Black Friday is not something to miss. But if you’re not sure about how to go about this, I’ve compiled my top tips for taking advantage of this magical day.
1. Make a list before-hand
If you go out into the hectic world of Black Friday without a physical list to refer to, there’s a good chance you won’t survive. Some stores can get crazy and if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you’re going to get stuck in the crowds and may even miss out on some of the deals.
2. Look for the best deal
Once you have your shopping list put together start looking for where this item is sold and which of the stores offer the best deal.
For example, I’m a crafty person and often make Christmas gifts. But before Black Friday, I check every different craft store in my area for the best deal on each item. By looking ahead, you can also then plan which stores you’ll need to go to and you won’t miss out on saving the most you can.
3. Prioritize your stores
Some stores are A LOT busier than others. If you’re going to stand in any line, stand in the line for the store that has the best deals and the majority of the items on your list. Choosing the wrong line can easily waste your time. Choose wisely.
Also be sure to consider which stores will be the busiest. Typically, department stores are the most popular on Black Friday. So, if a good amount of your list includes a trip to a department store, consider that your first stop.
4. Search for extra coupons
Sometimes there are extra deals online or through an alternate coupon that isn’t displayed in paper ads. Many people don’t consider the fact that there may be extra deals, so as soon as you figure out which stores you need to go to, check out their online and paper ads.
5. Don’t forget that there’s always Cyber Monday!
If you follow all of these other tips but still don’t find the perfect deal, don’t forget Cyber Monday! You can get almost everything online as you can do in store, so don’t stress when you can’t find exactly what you need.
Tip for Cyber Monday: If applicable, add items you want to your wish list on the store’s site so you can easily purchase them!
Be safe, and happy shopping!
Pictures: Vittoria Cristante