Planning to hit the stores for the Thanksgiving/Black Friday onslaught? Here's a few tips to survive the day, get your deals and still keep your sanity.
Plan your plan of attack: View the Black Friday ads ahead of time, determine what you want, and where it's at and make your plans for where to go and when based on store hours. Click here for the current Black Friday ads and here for a list of store hours.
Dress Appropriately: Layers are best so that you can bundle up while waiting outside, and then remove items in hot stores to cool down if needed.
Go Cart-less: Unless you need one to haul big items, avoid shopping carts. You'll be able to maneuver and move around easier and get in out with your purchases faster.
Price Match, Price Match, Price Match!: Price matching can be a great way to get all of your most wanted items all at one place and still make it home in time for breakfast. Click here to see my guide on price matching. Note: Some retailers will not honor price matching on Black Friday, so it doesn't hurt to call ahead to make sure they will do it before you get to the register.
Bring Coupons: Yep. Unless the ads specifically state otherwise -- you can still use coupons on Black Friday! Search online for your favorite retailers, join their mailing lists and become Facebook fans of those places you'll want to hit. Watch here for retail coupon roundups over the next few days as well!
Don't Depend on Door Busters: Before you spend 2 hours in 20 degree weather waiting on a doorbuster, find out ahead of time if "limited quantities mean 2, 200 or 2000 for your location and decide if it's going to be worth the wait to have a shot.
Tag Team: If you're shopping w/ a buddy and the lines are super long, tag team. Have one person wait in line, while the other shops and then switch -- or have one person hit one store while you hit another.
Hit the ATM: You'll be able to check out quicker and stay on budget better if you pay cash for your purchases. By carrying cash, you'll be able to easily tell at a glance what you've spent, and you're far less likely to spend money you don't have.
Skip the Lines: Look for less busy checkout locations to save on wait times in lines. Cosmetic counters, customer service, home improvement or other departments cashiers can usually ring you up and the lines aren't nearly as long.
Check out return policies: Before you make a MAJOR purchase, it never hurts to check return policies. That way if you change your mind or find a better price you aren't shocked by a no return policy or a restocking fee.
If you miss a deal, don't despair: There will still be many more to come in the next couple weeks!
Don't be Afraid to Shop Black Friday Online: Many retailers are offering just as good of deals online & free shipping when you spend a certain amount. If you live in a small town w/ no shopping like me, don't want to drag the kids out, or just don't like crowds -- this is definitely the way to go!
Keep your Receipts: Keep all your receipts in one place in case you need to make returns or exchanges later.
Remember -- It's just Shopping! Remember your manners, don't have a meltdown in aisle 3 because you missed a deal ,and definitely don't stampede poor retail workers to death. Most deals will come around again, and no deal is worth hurting others or yourself over.
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