Checking newspapers, flyers and emails for holiday savings can turn into a chore. When shopping this holiday season, don’t let the deals and steals overwhelm you. Use these tips to save while keeping a level head:
Get a head start on planning.
Websites such as BFads.net post-Black Friday flyers way before Thanksgiving. They also offer databases to search for the best deals. Have a plan to save time, headaches and money.
Check sale dates.
Some sales are only early bird specials & others last all weekend. Know where you need to be on Friday and what can wait until the weekend.
Stick to your budget.
Bringing cash instead of cards can help prevent overspending. We all want to enjoy the season of giving, but don’t give yourself financial stress for months after.
Know your prices.
Is a deal REALLY a deal? Retailers are known for marking up prices to mimic a sale. Know your prices before cashing out.
Buy discounted gift cards.
If you plan to do a lot of your shopping at a specific store, purchase gift cards in advance on resale sites such as GiftCardGranny.com. Some gift cards are offered at a 50% savings!
Pace Yourself.
Tis’ the season for deals! Black Friday is known for its savings on hot buys such as electronics. Some better deals on clothes and toys come later in the season. For example, in past years Target has offered 30% off toys for one day only. Stack that with your red card savings, and some deals can’t be beat.
Price match.
While stores typically won’t price match on Black Friday, the rest of the holiday season you can price match! So, if the toy is 40% off at Kohl’s, but the shelf is empty, head to Target!
Save receipts.
Mind your return dates and hold onto receipts for price comparison.
Use social media.
Follow store pages all season for the latest news on sales. For even more insider tips, join Facebook groups for your favorite stores, find deal groups and Black Friday pages like BfAds.
Leave kids & spouses at home.
Let’s be real here, your kids slow you down on a normal day of shopping, don’t bring them into the war zone. And your spouse, unless you have a huge box to carry, leave them with the kids.
Mind your sanity.
If you experience anxiety in crowds or can’t handle a few rude customers, Black Friday may not be for you. Plenty of deals can be scored on other days as well as online, in your PJs. Don’t pressure yourself to save a few dollars.
Treat workers kindly.
Most workers left their families during Thanksgiving dinner to serve you. They are under pressure to be fast, polite and efficient no matter the customer. Make their day a little easier by thanking them for their service, being polite and understanding.
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