Shopping on Black Friday? Don't miss these 5 tips!

I must admit, I am not one who ventures out early and hits the stores to shop on Black Friday. Over the years, I have become more of an internet shopper. I do head out to the malls on occasion, but I do enjoy shopping from the comfort of my own home and computer, sipping on hot coffee in my pajamas.  

And the Black Friday deals seem to come before Black Friday these days anyway.

Now, deals start the week prior, unlike the past when people would camp out the night before (I have never understood this, and I hope I will never have to). Plus, due to not having a lot of time to shop, it’s just been easier for me to do it online. I do enjoy a good cyber Monday!

However, I do understand there are two types of women when it comes to Black Friday shopping. You are either part of those women who get up early and shop all day to find the best deals and really enjoy it, or you are part of those women who do not venture out in the crowds and stay and home either shopping online or waiting until you can get to the stores when it is less crowded.

Both are equally fine and totally dependent on your personal preference.

If you are a woman who gets out and shops or if you shop online, both can benefit from these tips so keeping reading!

Here are my 5 tips for shopping on Black Friday (or around Black Friday shopping):

  1. Do your homework- if you are trying to catch the best deals on Black Friday, it’s best to start your research well before the day is here. So, start now if you haven’t already! One place that is cool to go is www.theblackfriday.com. They provide ads and deals that are going to take place in major department stores ahead of the date. You can check it out so you can determine the best time to purchase what’s on your list. You can also have the times the stores are open.

  2. Use Social Media- Follow your favorite stores and even sign up for their loyalty programs to gain access and information on exclusive deals and reward programs. Sometimes companies offer special incentives for these customers. If you plan to purchase something from them anyway, it can only save you money and you can end up getting a better deal.

  3. Set up price alerts- Is your time going to be used wisely in the hustle and bustle of crowds? Well, that all depends on what you are planning on purchasing. If there is something that has a larger price tag, you can set up alerts now with www.joinhoney.com to receive an email alert when the price goes down. In fact, you can use this site throughout the year for items you wish to purchase where you want to ensure you are getting the best deal.

  4. Have a list, don’t go at it blindly- An expansion of #3, make sure you have a list of what you need to purchase so that you are not blindly shopping. This can lead to overspending and purchasing items you don’t need. And you might end up leaving without the exact purchase you wanted in the first place. This might sound simple, but I have seen this happen more times than I can count.

  5. Prepare your budget ahead of time- don’t overlook this final tip, seriously. Set a realistic budget and stick to it. Don’t go over it or you will be setting yourself up for overspending. And that’s never good for anyone.

If you carefully plan out what you need to purchase, review the prices in the pre-black Friday deals sales, setting up price alerts, and setting a budget, you are preparing yourself for a very successful Black Friday shopping. Get what you need and move on to enjoying the time with your family and friends. And don’t forget to hydrate, refuel, and have fun!

P.S. if you need any help with holiday styling, for a limited time only I have a holiday styling package available. You can check it out here: www.storytellerstylist.com/availablepackages.

Enjoy!

XO,

Carrie

Carrie Hagee