Are you brave enough to face the crowds on Black Friday? If you’re like me, you train all year long for this day, as if this were the Super Bowl. Black Friday has been a tradition for my mom and aunts for over 15 years. I have many memories of being a kid and stealthily grabbing items. I have a collection of Disney snow globes from waiting in line at JcPenney’s. One year we even brought walkie talkies when cell phones weren’t yet popular. Dodging people, maneuvering the shopping cart, and grabbing the last item gives me an adrenaline rush. Shopping on Black Friday is my sport.
However, now that I am a mom, waking up at 4am and waiting in long lines is no longer enticing. Online shopping is definitely where it is at! Same deals as the store with just the click of a button. Fill up on pumpkin pie and turkey and sit on the couch and hope your husband doesn’t find out…(My husband is an accountant and most definitely will find out).
Sometimes there is a big ticket item you have to buy in stores. Sometimes you have so much piled in your Amazon wishlist. Whether or not you prefer shopping in stores or online, I’ve compiled a list of tips to help you get the best deal on Black Friday.
In Stores Tips and Tricks
Look at the ads online beforehand or pick up a newspaper. Pay attention to the times the stores open.
As a general rule….avoid Walmart. It’s too crazy, too crowded, too dirty. There is ONE EXCEPTION. A couple years ago, I walked into Walmart at 6 am for a TV. I was looking around for the line. A random stranger had two TVs in his cart. I asked him, “Is this the line for the TV?” He said, “Yeah. Do you want this TV? We got an extra.” I said, “Yes.” He put the TV in my cart, I rolled my cart to the cashier, and got out of Walmart in less than 10 minutes.
Long lines are not worth it. Last year, I gave up waiting in a line because I had bad shoes on (I was also pregnant and had no patience at all). Just remember, you can order online from your phone quicker than waiting in that line, which is what I did in Kohls last year.
Malls can be bad…The parking lot to one of the malls in a nearby town is insane. If you can find an outdoor shopping area or outlet with multiple stores and you only need one parking spot, this is good.
I plan to go to two stores this year. Most likely I will go midday when all the people are eating lunch, and I will see what is left! If you think you can handle 4am or even shopping on Thanksgiving day, have fun! Most of all the basic moms here will be racking up our credit cards online.
Online Shopping Tips and Tricks
Add stuff to your cart/wishlist beforehand. Some websites will even send you emails like “Please come back to our website, here is 10% off!” Some websites will track you and send you emails saying that the product you liked is now on sale.
Look for coupon codes on https://www.retailmenot.com/. Online, the coupon codes tend to work. Lately, certain in-person stores have been telling me they don’t accept coupons from this app anymore. Always subscribe to the newsletter before you buy anything because they usually email a coupon. Then unsubscribe later on or send it to a spam folder.
This tip is a super secret one that I’ve used recently. Create wedding registries/baby registries a few months before Black Friday. You usually get a coupon for 15% off all remaining registry items. Last year, I had my baby shower on the first week of November. I knew exactly what to buy online when Black Friday rolled around. I got a carseat marked down from Black Friday and an additional 15%!
Don’t hesitate to buy online. I was going to order something off of Target, but I was still unsure about it. So I added it to my cart and waited until Saturday. The next day I go to purchase it and it was sold out!
All in all, don’t go too crazy spending money during the holidays. The average person spent $967.13 during the holiday season in 2017. Spend wisely and demonstrate what Christmas is really about for your children.
Stephanie’s favorite picks at popular stores:
Old Navy – Clothes, Jackets
JcPenney’s – Leather Jackets, Scarves, Purses, Shoes
Kohls – Home Decor, Curtains, Christmas Decorations
Target – Pajamas, Toys, Electronics, Kids Clothes
Michael’s – Craft Storage, Stamps, Paper
Big Lots – Cheap Furniture
Walmart – Electronics
Staples – Computers, Printers, Office Chairs
Sears – Tools, Gifts for Men
Local Downtown Shops – Christmas Ornaments, Personalized Gifts
Esty.com – Personalized Gifts
Amazon – Everything
What are your favorite places to shop on Black Friday? Are you going to shop in stores or online?
I have a few things on my wishlist, but definitely need to prepare more. Wish I would have known about the baby registry before hand !