While Black Friday is one of the more exciting days (and becoming more like an entire week) for some people, trying to make sense of where to go, what to buy, and when is the best time to be online or in a store is getting more complicated all the time.
The best way to get the best out of the day: Follow a few key tips intended to make your shopping more fruitful and more enjoyable.
Start early
“Not only has Black Friday morphed into a whole month of deals and savings, but online retailers also regularly update prices throughout the event,” said Consumer Reports. Very true. Check and check and re-check your favorite stores ads, or looks to sites like Bfads.net. We love this site because, along the right side of the home page, they continuously update new deals by store.
Compare prices
Unless you’re shopping with a spreadsheet that lays out every item you’re interested in and its sales price, not to mention the time and place the items go on sale, it can be a little hard to keep track of everything.
Download the apps
Speaking of apps…Many of these retailers also have free apps that make finding great deal easier. Walmart is already offering Black Friday deals on its app; store maps are also there (Target has the same), making it easy to find where the deals are in the store.
Make a plan of attack
Chances are, you’re finding lots of stuff you want, and it’s spread throughout numerous stores and outlets. That can make things tricky. Working together with a partner (or several) can help if you each take on a store and take care of purchasing each other’s items
Or, stick to one store
If you’re planning to be out shopping on Thanksgiving and/or Black Friday and want to know which stores have the best overall deals, WalletHub can help.
Like and follow your faves
Some of the best – and earliest – deals can be found on social media and in emails. If you’re not connected with your favorite companies, or companies you think you might be buying from over the holidays, now’s the time.
Take advantage of loyalty programs
Loyalty programs can make those relationships even better by paying you back for shopping there (Kohl’s and their Kohl’s Cash is the classic example.)
