Yep, it’s that time of year again – ALREADY! The gift-buying season is upon us… kicking off with Black Friday. Are you ready? Here’s some tips and tricks to make your crazy day of shopping a savings-filled, productive, enjoyable day.
* Plan, Plan, PLAN!
Part of the fun of Black Friday is the planning. Do you enjoy looking through ads and planning where you will buy and/or camp out. The plans you set up will help you more than anything! Decide on items, look into store opening times and figure out what order of arrival will work best for you. Many sites can help you with this ahead of time. Google “Black Friday 2011″ and check it out. Don’t forget a “Plan B”. If the item you want is gone – what is the backup plan?
* Resist the urge to splurge.
It’s so easy to splurge in the heat of the sale rush. The urgency to purchase something is magnified when you stand in a line, then rush to the item of your dreams. Resist the temptation to grab a few extra items – the “just-in-case” syndrome. If you take the time to plan your Black Friday expedition, stick to the plan! Lack of sleep, unusual circumstances and hyped discounts can lead to poor judgment – resist the urge and stick to the list.
* Cash – per person
Designate the amount you plan to spend per person on your gift list. Use a envelope or some sort of filing system and label each designated amount with someone’s name, then add the appropriate amount of cash into that “envelope/slot”. You can put the change and even the receipt back into the envelope/slot to make returns, exchanges and future purchases super easy! Taking lack of sleep into account – the grogginess will not play into your math skills when all you have to deal with is the cash on hand!
* Hedge your bets
I don't feel like Black Friday always offers the lowest price, I believe it the way retailers make space for the new merchandise so don't panic if your long sought after item is gone. Many stores offer a price match guarantee throughout the holiday season. If you purchase something on Dec 1st from Store X, and it is cheaper on Dec 21st at Store Y, take your receipt back to Store X for a refund of the difference. Yes! This can actually happen! One example is Wal-Mart and the offer of putting the difference on a Wal-Mart giftcard, but many stores are offering the same deal. Check into the stores in your area BEFORE Black Friday to make sure that you get the best price.
* Double-dip those deals
Have you noticed how many deals on Black Friday are basic household items? If you will already be out shopping for gifts on this day anyways, you may as well stick with the stocking up philosophy and purchase some personally useful items at a bottom price. Second, for the double-dip part, For example watch Sears for their kids clothing deals – You could get jeans at a great price on Black Friday and then use their Kid Vantage offer later in the season if a kid wears it out.
* Be prepared
Be ready for the cold and DRESS for it! Dress – wearing layers and comfortable shoes. These days most of us have smart phones, be smart and use Google weather or Weather Bug to determine what the low will be and dress accordingly. You can always take some off if you get to warm, but if you don't have enough you will be the person that I am ROTFLMBO at because you showed up in pajamas with no jacket. Yes, it may be warm at 2 pm, but at 4 am, it’s freezing in comparison! And you will likely be standing in line in that weather! As you plan for the stores you will visit, and the items you will purchase, also plan for the circumstances surrounding this experience. Snacks, drinks, warm gloves, etc. can only help.
* Look for additional discounts
Watch your mail – both snail and email for additional discounts at the stores you are going to visit. Check out Facebook for special deals. Stores and brands are working for your business – let them! Use those discounts when the price is best…
* Watch for additional fees
Layaway is back at some stores. If you plan to use layaway, make sure you know what the fees are. If you add the fees onto the cost of the item, is it still a great deal? A deal worth getting up early for and standing in line in the cold?
* Keep a good sense of humor
The insanity of this experience hits me every year. And I just have to laugh. How crazy is it that we are standing in line in the cold and the dark for a discount? Laughing at yourself and the situation will help make your Black Friday experience enjoyable as well as savings-filled. I participate in Black Friday every year, not just for the savings – it is a crazy fun experience I look forward to. If you don’t get the item you wanted, it’s ok – a good deal will come around again. Laugh it off and head for the next one – there is always another fabulous find right around the corner.
Thank you CouponSense!!
Happy Shopping!
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