Is there a petition to make Black Friday a national holiday? Because I would sign it! I love a good bargain and saving money! I still like to go to the stores but in recent years have also started doing some of my Black Friday shopping online.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you do your holiday shopping on Black Friday:
1. Have a list of who you need to buy for and how much you want to spend. I have found it handy this year to keep a list of everyone I'm buying for and what I already got them...that way when I can track and make sure I'm spending roughly the same on everyone.
2. Don't be in a hurry! If you're out in the stores for Black Friday there is going to be a crowd. You're going to wait in line to checkout. There will probably be grumpy children being hauled through the aisles at 2am. Be relaxed and just roll with it.
3. Keep your car doors locked and packages out of sight as much as possible.
4. Check store websites for free shipping offers. On Black Friday and Cyber Monday many stores lower what they require you to spend in order to get free shipping. Plus lots of stores offer ship-to-store options that are free. Then you get to shop in the comfort of your home AND not have to pay shipping!
5. Use a cash back shopping site such as Swagbucks before you click a link to a store! Swagbucks offers cash back at over 120 different stores! Kohls, Amazon, Target, Macy's, Walmart, Barnes and Noble, Crate & Barrel, and more! You can get great deals without having to wait in a line!
If you aren't familiar with Swagbucks, here is a crash course in the basics: With Swagbucks you earn points, called SB, that you can turn into gift cards to places like Amazon, Sephora, Target, Starbucks, and even PayPal cash. You earn points by searching the web, watching videos, and even shopping online at stores you were going to shop at anyway!
Click here to take advantage of the cash back, simply create your free Swagbucks account and you'll be all set!
6. Google for promo codes before checking out online. I kick myself when I forget to do this! Do a quick Google search like "Shutterfly promo code" or "Sephora coupon code" and see if anything comes up. Retailmenot is usually pretty reliable. Sometimes I find codes worth a % off, a free item, free shipping, etc! Especially with the holiday season being here there will be lots of coupon codes coming out!
Want more Black Friday tips? Check out this post from 2013!
