I love Black Friday! Nothing beats the thrill of getting the things I want or need at a great price!
However, I don’t enjoy the stress, the crowds and the super long lines to at the cash register. This is just way too much stress for me.
👉 So, I stay home, and shop from the comfort of my own home. I end up having a stress free Black Friday, yet scoring some great deals.
In order to make the best of this day without all the stress and still save, planning and getting ready is essential.
There are so many sales and so many deals, it can be overwhelming: What deals are live first? or what promos you can stack with your rewards codes and keeping track of time in order to snag the Doorbuster deals and so on.
To add to the stress, Black Friday shopping use to be only on the day after Thanksgiving. Then they started ‘on Thanksgiving Day’. Now deals start on November first. To prepare for this big shopping event and avoid the stress and prepare.
How to prepare for a stress free Black Friday?
Start your shopping list early:
Don’t wait around until a few weeks before black Friday. Throughout the year try to keep a list of items that you or your loved ones say they want or needs, that can wait to be purchased. It is super easy to keep this list handy by saving it to your cellphone, or just telling your Google Assistant or Alexa to add the item to your Black Friday list.
I also use the GTracker App. This app keeps track of prices, sorts by stores, has a note section for discounts and its free. There is a paid version if you need more than the basics though.
Gift list for kids and teens
Most kids love to talk about the new toy they want – ALL THe Time. To get them talking may as simple as turning on a tv show and wait for commercials. The latest toy advertisement is sure to pop up. Another tactic to use, take your kid shopping with you, and visit the toy section. Just wait for the OOHHS & AAHHS and add to your list.
With older kids, just ask what they want. Typically, gift cards are the most popular gift with teens, but a personalized gift shows you care more. Paying attention to what they wear gives you a clue. If you choose to give a personalized gift, get a gift receipt just in case they don’t like it.
Sign up to get emails and store ads from the retailers where you do your shopping. There are so many advantages to signing up ,that this is worth doing for year round savings anyway. A lot of retailers will offer you a discount, a promo code or free shipping when you sign up.
Department stores like Macy’s or Walmart, for example, will give you early access to shopping events, and offer this exclusivity via newsletter or email.
Walmart Deals
Customer Appreciation Advantage
Sometimes retailers have freebies for their customers, and they’ll let you know with a nice email. Be sure you’re signed up to get store ads in case there are any ‘free with purchase offers’. Black Friday ads are sent to subscribed customers as soon as they are available.
Don’t wait for the Sunday paper
Don’t wait until you get the Sunday paper to view the store ads. This year, Target leaked their Black Friday ad on November 1st. To kick off the event, shoppers were able to snag Black Friday Prices on certain items on that day.
Its worth it to be social
Following your favorite store on social media is great way to find out the latest events and deals. Often other followers will post deals they snagged. This means you can snag that deal too.
In addition, you can join forums, groups, deals sites, boards that post Black Friday deals to keep up with the latest.
Mega Store Tricks
The best time to start a 30 day Prime Trial is Black Friday season
Specially if you plan to shop at Amazon, which has fantastic lightning deals for their members.
Not an Amazon member? start your free 30 day trial period around Black Friday. Not only will you be able to snag the lowest prices, get 2 day free shipping but also have access to members only early deals.
If you are a poor college student, don’t fret! You’re eligible to get 6 months Free Amazon Prime membership when signing up with your college email.
SNAP, EBT Discounts
Both Amazon and Walmart also have exclusive savings for Snap, EBT holders
Read: EBT SNAP Discounts at Amazon
Holiday shopping is fun, but it shouldn’t increase your debt.
As tempting as it may be to just take advantage of all the awesome deals, creating a budget for your Black Friday shopping is a must. Overspending is not only stressful, but it can mess with your mental health. All that stress is not worth going overboard.
Stick to your budget
Planning a budget can be done in a couple of different ways: If you already have a monthly or annual budget, include Black Friday expenses into your budget.
If you don’t have a budget, determine how much money you are able to spend shopping on Black Friday.
Some people do all their holiday gift shopping on Black Friday. If you want to try this in order to save money, then add the money you want to spend shopping for holiday gifts to your Black Friday pot.
You do have a Black Friday pot right? If not, don’t worry. You’ll start one next year. For now let’s focus on the budget for the holidays.
Budgeting TIP
To help you get your budget in order, the popular YNAB (You Need A Budget) has a free trial offer. This is the perfect time of the year to try this app.
Once you know how much money you have, make a list of the people or charity you want to buy for or donate to, and how much money you are allocating to each person.
Track your expenses using a software, app or if you prefer paper and pencil, there are several holiday planners to keep organized
Part of your preparation to make the most of your Black Friday or Cyber Monday shopping should include maximizing the use of your payment method.
What are you using to pay for your purchases? Did you know there’s money you can get when you shop?
The most common form of payment when shopping for anything, and the method that offers consumers the most benefit is using credit cards. Some credit card companies offer cashback percentages for paying with their credit card.
Also Read: Saving money with apps and credit cards
Price Protection
You can see in this video how this benefit works. There is also a great service that some credit cards offer but few consumers use: price protection.
With price protection, you get the difference back when something you purchased has a lower price either where you bought it or somewhere else.
If you prepare and plan ahead for Black Friday deals and stick to your budget Black Friday should be fun and stressless
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