Make a plan

Having a plan in place is essential to making the most out of your spending spree.  The first thing we recommend is to decide on a budget that you can stick to while making your purchases. Once you’ve established a budget for your Black Friday shopping trip, it’s time to do some research to make sure you are getting the best deal. When you find a good price for something on your list, use a price comparison website or app such as blackfriday.com, pricegrabber.com, ShopSavvy, or ScanLife to make sure there isn’t a better deal online or at a different store. It’s also an excellent idea to familiarize yourself with each store’s return policies for Black Friday items because some retailers charge much higher restocking fees than usual for returning these items. If you are looking at doorbusters, be sure to check the specs on each item to ensure they match what you want or need. In some cases, the items being offered are not standard models and may have stripped down specs making them less of a good deal than they seem.

Stay connected and organized

Following your favorite stores on social media can often provide you with an edge over other shoppers as many companies announce special discounts or previews of sales to their followers that you can’t find anywhere else. Connecting with these stores via social media can also allow you to take advantage of retailers that start their sales early or extend them beyond Black Friday. If it looks like discounts on any of your items are in the form of a rebate, it pays to keep your receipts and rebate information organized. Many companies use rebates as their primary discounting mechanism because customers often forget to send in for their rebate or are not organized enough to file for it on time. Make sure you don’t end up paying full price for a heavily discounted item by getting your information in on time.

Consider the crowds

Just because you are one of the first ones into the store does not mean that it will be a quick visit. Additionally, if you have multiple stores you plan to visit, it could make for a long day so be prepared. Having just a few essential items such as snacks, water, and entertainment while you stand in line can make your Black Friday shopping experience more enjoyable. It may also be a good idea to bring some toilet paper with you because the high volume of customers almost assures that some stores will be unable to keep the bathrooms stocked. It also behooves you to work together with a group of friends to allow you all to shop at multiple stores at the same time. If you choose to go this route, it is a good idea to keep in contact during your shopping so that no one misses out on any major items on their list.