Black Friday! You either love it or you dread it. Either way, there are amazing deals to be had and easy ways to navigate all the mayhem to save an incredible amount of money.
- Set a budget and make a list. Cash is a powerful way to stay on track with your holiday budget. Did you know you’re likely to spend 10 to 15 percent more when you use a debit/credit card? A hot deal is NOT a hot deal if you’re unable to pay for it within 30 days. Also, make a list of everyone to whom you give gifts. Think outside of the box (e.g., decorations, entertainment, birthdays, showers, etc.). Use Black Friday as an opportunity to stock up on items for a “gift reserve” to use throughout the year.
- Prioritize stores. Determine which store has most of the deals you want. You can even tag team with a friend within a store. Or split up individual stores among a group of shoppers to ensure you get all the items on your lists. Door busters go fast, so you’ll want be prepared and get there early.
- Coupons, rebates and store incentives. Stack manufacturer coupons with a store coupon on top of the sales price. This will save you an incredible amount of money. Print coupons now and save them for Black Friday. If you’re tech savvy, you can use your smart phone for mobile/text coupons. Check with the individual retailers regarding their coupon policies. Also watch for rebates. Make sure you have multiple receipts for individual forms. Some stores offer gift cards or in-store credit during Black Friday, too.
- Price match. If you’re unable to shop at all the stores, price matching is for you. Target, Babies R Us and Wal-Mart are just some of the retailers that will offer price matching. It’s an effective way to save money on toys, games, electronics, movies and more. Show the competitor’s flier to the cashier (at Target you must go to Customer Service). They’ll adjust the price for you. You can stack all those deals with coupons for maximum savings.
- Shop online. Many stores are offering their in-store deals online also—some as soon as a minute after midnight. Take advantage of free shipping offers or shop with a friend and split those charges. You can also use coupon codes to save even more. Those codes can be found on sites like www.RetailMeNot.com, www.Dealigg.com, www.Savings.com, www.Dealio.com and www.YourRetailHelper.com. And don’t forget that you can use rebates from most online purchases. Just keep your receipts organized.
How do you plan ahead and stay organized? Websites like www.BlackFriday.com will have most of the Black Friday fliers available prior to the sales. You also can use sites like www.PriceWatch.com to determine where to find the best price on an individual product. Some retailers even offer apps to help you organize your shopping trip within their stores.
Be a shopping opportunist! Black Friday can be a powerful tool to saving money all year long.
Anna Bannister is a work-at-home wife and mom of three children who lives in Lee’s Summit. Her money saving tips and deals can be found at www.YourRetailHelper.com.