Thank goodness for Thanksgiving! It’s a most welcome pause in our hectic lives to spend time giving thanks and eating delicious food with family and loved ones. It’s only after the meal is over, when everyone has gone home and the house is once again quiet, that we begin to shift into the next phase of the holidays: Black Friday – the ultimate day for retail therapy and holiday shopping. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned veteran, here are some tips for maximizing and surviving Black Friday.
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Know Thyself
Before you decide where you want to go and which items you are hunting for, you must determine what kind of shopper you want to be. Are you the type to camp out overnight in order to be one of the first into the store? Perhaps you are content to sleep in your own bed and join the queue at 4 a.m. Maybe you are someone who considers 9 a.m. much to early to be awake and functional. You need to determine how aggressive you’re willing to be in order to create a successful plan.
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Prepare
When making a plan for your shopping extravaganza, it’s probably best to accept that the whole experience always takes longer than expected. You may be planning to get in and get out, but even the best laid plans often go awry. Devoting the entire day to perusing aisles and comparing prices is a good place to start.
Next, make a list of the items you need, ranking them in order of importance. This will eliminate impulse buying and help give you a sense of direction if you become distracted by the general madness and mayhem. With your completed list of items, use social media to find the best deals beforehand. Don’t forget to check your local newspapers, which may have useful coupons and information on the sales you’re looking for. While shopping, bring your smart phone along for updates and to find alternative deals should a snafu arise in your original plan.
Finally, dress accordingly. This is just as important as making lists and doing research. Without comfortable shoes or warm clothing, you can burn out quickly and find yourself at home nursing sore feet and the disappointment of an only partially accomplished list. Don’t let all your hard work go to waste – wear supportive shoes and appropriate clothing!
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Maximize
Don’t dawdle. When you first walk into the store, you may be tempted to browse – fight that urge. Stick to your list and make a beeline for the items at the top; chances are they are at the top of someone else’s list as well. The most popular items with the biggest markdowns are always the first to go.
Pay with cash. This is an excellent way to stick to your budget. You should have enough for the items that you need and nothing more. Using cash means avoiding credit card fees and gives you strict boundaries if you tend to impulse shop. If you know you only have enough for what’s on the list, you’ll stick to it!
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Survive
In many cases, Black Friday deals can be found online as well as in stores. If you’re shopping via the Internet, remember to look for coupon codes. Don’t let glee over a half-off sale distract you into hitting purchase before reading the fine print. As with all online stores, check the return policy to see how easily you can return an item. Be sure to note any time restrictions or additional costs.
Think beyond Black Friday. It may not seem like it at the time, but there will be other sales. Don’t let one day of fun turn into a nightmare for your bank account. Just in case you have any morning-after regrets, keep your receipts. Also, you never know- some of the items you bought could be marked down even further as Christmas approaches. Be very sure about final, no-return sales – no amount of buyers’ remorse will get you your money back!