Last Updated on December 28, 2022
Top Black Friday Hacks to Score the Best Deals
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which also means. . . Black Friday is right around the corner.
While many of us would love to get our hands on a great deal, the hassle of it all can really be off-putting. But I got your back. You too can snag a great deal without putting yourself in danger to do so. With the current pandemic, things may be different in stores this year, but here are tips to keep in mind for both now and the future. Continue reading for Black Friday Hacks that’ll make your life so much easier. Happy shopping!
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Make a list of items you would like to purchase
Before the deals start rolling in, make a list of items you plan to purchase this season. This will help you seek out deals tailored specifically to the items you already planned on purchasing. Furthermore, this will help you avoid overspending and ending up with a bunch of junk you really don’t need.
Set and stick to a budget
Don’t empty out your savings just to go Black Friday shopping. Be reasonable.
Set a budget, and make sure you stick to it! If you aren’t the best at sticking to a budget, add your shopping funds to a prepaid debit card, and only take that card out to the stores with you. That way, if you feel the urge to spend a little more than planned, you won’t even have the option. If you want to take it a step further, you can use budgeting apps to help you stay on track while you’re out shopping.
Write out your Black Friday plan/schedule
Make a list of times your target retailer(s) open for Black Friday, and outline your schedule based on that list.
Plan out when you want to line up, what you want to bring with you to make the wait more comfortable and the process of shopping easier, and don’t forget that shopping list! Having an outlined plan will also save you a lot of confusion and stress when navigating through the store.
Take advantage of Pre-Black Friday Sales
Many retailers will start their special deals in early November, so be on the lookout. Particularly the week leading up to Black Friday, many really great discounts will be popping up. Amazon
Look for deals that you can take advantage of online
Retailers often have pretty good discounts you can find online on Thanksgiving and Black Friday. This will help you avoid the hassle of fighting through the crowds in-store while still taking advantage of great deals.
If you are an Amazon Prime member, in addition to the free 2-day shipping, you can actually gain EARLY access to thousands of deals on Amazon which gives you a head start! Don’t forget to utilize cashback apps like Rakuten to earn cashback while you shop! You should also take advantage of the Capital One Shopping browser extension and/or a website such as RebateKey to easily find additional savings and earn cashback.
Check out the store set up the day before Thanksgiving
Whatever store you have set as your target for Black Friday shopping, go the day before Thanksgiving to check out the setup. Using this idea, you will know exactly where to run when those doors open up and the crowd comes rushing in.
As an added bonus, you may even see the beginning of setups for some of their Black Friday sales so you can have a heads up on what to expect. Additionally, you can casually start a conversation with some of the employees to see if they can give you any insider deets. (Sneaky right?)
Ditch the shopping carts
It is better to have a giant reusable shopping bag than it is to have to grab a shopping cart during the madness. So, if you can avoid having to fight for a shopping cart, that’ll save you a ton of time and energy. Now of course, if you are planning on a large purchase. . . just go for the cart.
Clip some coupons!
If you already know which store(s) you are heading for, clip some coupons for these retailers in advance. Make sure you have those coupons on hand when those doors open, you may find even greater deals in the quieter sections using this method.
Teamwork makes the dream work
Form a team to help you quickly collect items on your shopping list. If you work together and split up, you can get your hands on more deals in a shorter span of time. Maybe one person goes for the electronics while the other heads for the toy aisle, for example.
Don’t forget to utilize loyalty programs and cashback apps
Make sure you are signed up for the retailers’ loyalty programs before you unload your wallets on Black Friday shopping. This is a great opportunity to rack up on some points and bonuses.
Additionally, take advantage of cashback apps as I mentioned earlier like Capital One Shopping and Rakuten to get some money back.
Stay calm. Stay alert.
Black Friday can get pretty freakin’ dangerous. Stay calm. You don’t have to trample over people just to get that almost-free Crockpot. You don’t have to turn violent because someone grabbed the last of an item that was on your shopping list. Deals come and go. There’s no need to get crazy. Furthermore, stay alert. . . not only for those winning deals but pay attention to your surroundings.
We would love for you to share some of your favorite Black Friday Hacks in the comments! Feel free to do so.
