With the economy suffering, and spending being stifled by unemployment and shaky consumer confidence, we might just see some of the best deals in years this upcoming Black Friday. While some of us might shudder at the thought of braving the masses, this year it could truly be worth our time. With Black Friday store advertisements being leaked like CIA secrets, you know there is going to be some great competition among retailers, and that means big savings for you. To ensure you make the most of this cost cutting opportunity, here are a few tips to enlighten you to some of the Black Friday saving secrets.
1. Prepare in Advance
Make sure that when you head out for your Black Friday shopping extravaganza, you are fully prepared. Check newspapers well in advance for sales and store hours, save coupons, and read the fine print on advertisements to find out about restrictions or the ability to combine offers. You can pretty much count on traffic being heavy, so plan your route ahead of time, looking for stores in close proximity to one another so that you aren’t backtracking. It can also be a good idea to bring the newspaper or full advertisements along with you on your trip. This way, if a store tries to pull the ol’ switcheroo on you or give you the run around on a particular deal or discount, you can show them the advertisement first hand.
2. Ask Around
While newspapers and television ads can be great sources of information, you can’t be expected to know about all the best deals. Talk to friends, family members, and co-workers ahead of time and compare notes to see if there is something you’ve missed. Even once you’re out shopping, it isn’t too late to pick up on some inside information. Listen to other shoppers’ conversations to clue you in to deals you may have missed along the way.
3. Check Out Cyber Monday
Actually, just don’t leave home. With the internet becoming an ever more prevalent way to conduct our commerce these days, you might be able to get the majority of your holiday shopping done from the comfort of your own home on
Cyber Monday, the online equivalent of Black Friday. Not only will you save the time and effort involved in getting from store to store, but in many cases, you will be able to find what you are looking for quicker, search for available discounts faster, and comparison shop in a matter of minutes rather than a matter of miles.
4. Ditch the Crew
If you’re serious about finding deals, you might want to leave the family behind. Kids can become distracted, bored, or tired and the same can go for husbands - even wives! You may not even want to take a friend along unless you can count on their support and ability to keep up with you and help with planning and executing your Black Friday shopping mission.
5. Don’t Take the Bait
You’ve seen all the ads, cut all your coupons, studied your store hours, set your route, and now you’re all worked up and ready to buy, buy, buy! But watch out! Don’t jump the gun and start buying the sales items at the first store you hit. Shop around, take your time, comparison shop, and don’t be overcome by the compulsion to buy just for the sake of buying. The hoards of people,
flash of credit cards, and smell of cash can get you itching to buy. If you can’t help yourself and just have to do it, make sure you hold onto your receipts in case you decide you want to return a few items when your head clears.
6. Utilize Friends and Family
Friends and family members can be wonderful assets when it comes to doing your Black Friday shopping. As I mentioned earlier, they can key you in to tips and sales you might not know about, as well as help you find coupons, and share other inside information. But they can help in other ways as well. This season, there are plenty of stores offering a buy-one-get-one-free option, especially when it comes to gifts cards. Consider pairing with friends or family when you make such purchases and then have them pay you cash for the item or items you got for free. For example: if you buy a $100 gift card and get a $25 card for free, consider letting a family member buy the smaller card from you to use as a gift. Even at a discounted rate, say $15, you’re still making money and helping them out at the same time.
About the Author
Kris is a freelance writer who blogs for
Credit Card Compare, an Australian comparison website where you can compare
reward credit cards that make your money go further,
0% balance transfer credit cards that reduce the amount of interest you pay. When he isn't writing, Kris enjoys spending time with his family and reading.
