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7 Tips to Shop Black Friday Like a Pro
This post has been sponsored by Pepto-Bismol. All opinions are my own. #PinkRelief
If you read this blog then you know that I am an avid shopper. I am constantly looking for ways to save money and get the best deal that I can get. I am not a coupon or deal blogger rather I want to save wherever I can so that I can spend whenever we want. This takes practice.
Every year when Black Friday comes around, I have been planning for weeks. I get copies of all of the ads and figure out which stores I want to go to. I never shop on Thanksgiving but I do head out early in the morning on Black Friday depending on what is on my list.
1. Set a plan.
Like I said above, I get all of the sales ads in paper and online first. Once those are all gathered, I sit down and plan my day. I figure out a route so I am not backtracking around town and I write everything down that I intend to buy. This helps me stick to a budget and not spend more than I want.
2. Dress comfortably.
This seems like a no-brainer but I have stood in line with women wearing heels before. I always dress in layers because you never know how hot or cold a particular store might be plus you have to figure in the temperature outside as well. A big scarf like the one above is perfect for wrapping up in when you are cold plus it can also be put into your purse when not in use.
I also carry a very large handbag that can fit my jacket, planner, water bottle, snacks and anything else I might need for the day. My shoes are something that I can wear for hours and they will never make my feet hurt.
3. Shop the fringe.
There is nothing like the thrill of standing in line for 5 hours to get that $50 tv, right? Wrong. Those big items that people spend hours in line hoping to get aren't always what we think they are and in fact I have purchased several of them only to return them to the store later. Honestly you have to look at the opportunity cost of standing in line for hours versus what you could have been doing with that time. So I always shop the fringe.
This is one of my favorite tips. I call it shopping the fringe because rather than going for those huge doorbuster items, I shop for those little items that many people forget about. I manage to grab video games for next to nothing along with clothing like pajamas, etc. This is one of my favorite things to do because the chances are that someone on your shopping list really wants some of those smaller items.
4. Keep Pepto on hand.
Shopping on Black Friday can make for a very long day without a lot of time to sit down and enjoy a meal or even digest your food. I want to be prepared for whatever happens so I always carry Pepto-Bismol in my purse. 7 Tips to Shop Black Friday Like a Pro
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5. Stay hydrated & pack snacks.
I carry a water bottle around with me everywhere at every moment of every day. I have to stay hydrated or I just don't feel good. This water bottle pictured above keeps ice cold for up to 18 hours. As soon as I arrive at a store, I refill my water bottle if needed and keep it in my purse to drink from whenever I need it. Staying hydrated means that you can shop as long as you want without slowing down.
6. Keep your phone charged and bring a backup battery.
This is especially key for many reasons. Staying charged up means that you can check online for coupons or last minute sales for the store you are going to. It also means that you can check in with your family or friends if needed or even call someone to share a great deal. You wouldn't how many times I have been in line to have someone tell me that they have online coupons for the store that I am in. I find them ASAP.
Finally, I always keep my phone charged because those lines are long. I have waiting in many lines over the years that were an hour or more. I keep several books on my phone that I will read while I am standing in line. This makes the time pass much faster. My charger can charge my phone 2 1/2 times so this means that I will never run out of battery. 7 Tips to Shop Black Friday Like a Pro
7. Only buy things on your list.
I know that this can be hard but I only buy things on my list. I try not to be swayed by what I find in the store no matter how great of deal I think that I am getting. If I am really wanting to buy something, I call my husband and have him research it.
When I shop by a list that means every one gets exactly what they wanted or what I had in mind for them. This also means I only spend what I intended to spend.
Following these tips will help you plan a great Black Friday shopping trip and really maximize your time and budget. Happy Shopping!
You won’t find me anywhere near a store on Black Friday, but I know so many people who go out will appreciate these tips.
I’m staying in this year! I didnt go last year either and it was the best. Really, the best! LOL. But this post my tempt my husband 😉
I usually avoid black Friday, but if I go then I usually am getting something I need like tupperware (yeah I am SOOO interesting LOL).
Honestly black friday scares me a bit. All I can think about is getting trampmpled to death. I’d rather stay inside and online shop lol These are some great tips though Thank you for sharing x Kat I http://www.beautifullytravelled.com
These are all great tips!! I don’t plan to go out this year, thankfully I am done shopping. I went out last year and the people were out of control.
There are the best tips I have read to help with Black Friday shopping. I know that those large items are so tempting, but you are right, there are other stuff that are more important to purchase.
Ya know, I have never shopped on Black Friday. But my sister does, I will pass this on to her.
I love to comparison shop and black Friday is included. Making a plan and sticking with it is key. I too have jump on TV sales to only come back and return it later. I shop both online and in store which ever has the best price which includes shipping I am for that.
The hardest part on the list is sticking to a list. I am horrible. When I see a sale I feel the need to buy!
I’m going to use these tips. I’m so ready, I can’t wait to see all the deals I can find.
My husband and I hit the roads last Black Friday for our very first “American experience” (we are from Canada). Ended up coming home with a lot of TVs…. lol. I think this year it’ll be all online, and I’m actually looking to buy a camera. Like a point-and-shoot.
Great tips.. So excited for Black Friday sale! We usually check out the ads on last minute.
This is a great list that you’ve put together for Black Friday enthusiasts. I usually avoid crowds and sales because I may not be able to control myself and purchase so much. Lol.
Our 24 hour store doesn’t cloth their BF stuff, so we go about 2 hours early, load up our carts, then are ready to check out as everyone else is coming in. I don’t know why nobody else has caught on to this, but we’ve been doing it every year for the past 5 years lol.
I used to be a hardcore black friday shopper before I had kids. Preplanning with the ads is key!
I love Black Friday shopping! I agree about dressing comfortably! It can really make the difference of a good time and a miserable one.
These are great tips. Number 7 is the best. Only buy things on your list.
I have worked Black Friday but I haven’t gone shopping on Black Friday. Not sure I could handle shopping on that day but I have done it without thinking before.
I’ve never really gone out shopping on Black Friday – the news clips from the States always worry me, lol! It’s not quite as crazy here in Canada, but I do my best to shop sales during the rest of the year, so I don’t have to deal with line ups and impatient drivers 🙂
These tips are essential, thanks for sharing. I need this so that I can control spending for stuffs that I’m not going to use.
I agree that making a plan is very important. I do not want to wait in line for a items with hundreds of other people.
I have never gone BLack Friday shopping in the store before. I prefer to shop online to avoide the crowd.
I’ve always wanted to shop on Black Friday, but my husband always says no. I hope I will be able to drag him this year. 🙂 Thanks for the tips!
These are excellent tips for avid Black Friday shoppers! However i do not like to fight the crowd so I do a lot of my shopping online if I do any.
These are some great tips. I never shop Black Friday though.
I have never been shopping on Black Friday…I’m kind of scared to, lol!
Only buying things on my list would probably be the hardest for me. I would see a good deal and break! I shop Black Friday via my computer only.
I’ll admit I’m a Black Friday phobe! The scary stories about people being trampled have really sworn me off. I will say though your tips are thoughtful!
I usually don’t do black Friday shopping. Great tips to stay on target
The only time I shop on Black Friday if there is a deal I just cannot pass up. Lately, this has not happened.
I was going to resist the hoopla of shopping Black Friday sales, but I think I am going to stand in line for a flatscreen this year with my stepson. Last year, he came back in like 20 minutes…I mean, I hadn’t even finished cooking my pies and he was back. I’m going to have to pack a few essentials to help pass the time, if it gets to that point.
I will be in my PJ’s and home sleeping off my Turkey Coma, Cyber Monday is my special day! I do all my shopping online at this point! 🙂
These are excellent tips. I need to see if I can find an ad for Toys r Us. I have some kids who I need to buy for this year.
I am in Canada so we don’t do Black Friday here, But I’ve always wanted to shop at all hours and do the crazy sales. How fun. This is great! Wonderful tips!
No Black Friday for me, I am the queen of cyber Monday, I have been doing all of my shopping online now for ages! Great tips though! 🙂
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