Simple Black Friday Tips You’ll Be Thankful For

Are you shopping Black Friday sales? Use these tips to help prepare and take advantage of the biggest shopping event of the year.

Thanksgiving can seem like a two-part holiday; there’s the part where we give thanks for all the good in our lives with friends, family, and lots of food – then there’s the preparation for Black Friday.

With Black Friday deals already available, use these tips to make the most of the extra shopping time.

Black Friday Tips

Build Your Budget

Expenses add up quickly during the holidays. Before shopping, build your holiday spending plan to help you stay on track. If you know there’s room in your budget to purchase a few items from your gift list, now’s a good time to look for savings.

Remember to charge only what you can afford to pay in full if using a credit card. Your deal won’t be much of a deal if you’re paying interest on it down the road.

Do Your Research

Some stores already have Black Friday deals available, so you can start comparison shopping early. Use websites like blackfriday.com to search Black Friday ads; simply type in the name of a product or store to find items on your list.

Take your time when reviewing options. You may find that older models or models with fewer features are less expensive. When deciding, it’s best to compare both price and quality so that you don’t buy an item that’ll need replacing soon or regret your purchase.

Read The Fine Print

Thoroughly review disclosures. Are there limited quantities on big-ticket items? Do the savings include a mail-in rebate? How does the sale price compare to the current price? Be alert – discounts may be overstated and advertisements may be misleading.

Put Together A Plan

If shopping in person, you’ll want to create a game plan. Where will you shop? What will you purchase at each store? Will you take more than one person to divide and conquer? Charge your cell phone. Bring snacks. Most importantly, stay focused. If you didn’t think of something before then you probably don’t need it, so stick to the plan and avoid deviating.

Use Resources

Trying to get the most for your dollar isn’t just something you do on Black Friday. Use apps like ShopSavvy and BuyVia to get the best deals at all times. Before you buy, search or scan a bar code to get a list of the competitors’ prices.

Summary

Watch items, receive alerts when prices drop, and find coupons. With Black Friday sales starting earlier and available online, you may be able to avoid the long lines while securing some great finds in the comfort of your home. Happy shopping!

Providers and products are mentioned for educational purposes only. This in no way constitutes an endorsement or approval by A+FCU. Refer to the external organization’s site for the most up-to-date information as their products and terms are subject to change.