20 tips for tackling Black Friday shopping

Don’t go into Black Friday shopping blind. Have a plan of attack for your shopping day. This plan should include when you intend to start, which stores you’ll visit, in what order, and what you’ll buy at each store. 

Piggybacking off that last tip, make sure you have a list of what you’re after when Black Friday shopping. It can be an overwhelming process if you haven’t given it any thought, so go in with a clear idea of what you want to buy. 

Black Friday is a major day for retailers, so most, especially major retailers, release their deals in advance. Scout those deals before the day comes to help you plan for your shopping trip. 

While you’re scouting those deals, you may notice that Black Friday pricing has already begun at some stores. If feasible, get some of your shopping done ahead of time. It’ll make the actual day less hectic. 

Black Friday deals are often quite good — so good that they can be very tempting. Set a budget before your Black Friday shopping trip so you don’t go overboard or make unnecessary purchases. Just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean you need to buy it.

Not everything needs to be purchased on Black Friday, and you might not get everything on your list. Prioritize your shopping list so you’re focused on what you most want to get on sale. 

Be sure to sign up for store rewards at the places you intend to shop at ahead of Black Friday. This could result in an unexpected perk on the day you’re shopping, and it’ll help you save money in the long run if you shop there often. 

In the spirit of sticking to a budget, pay with cash. This is a good way to ensure that you stick to your budget no matter what. There might be retailers that don’t accept cash as payment, but you’d rather miss out on buying something than overspend. 

Lots of Black Friday shopping exists online. If braving the cold weather and crowds isn’t your thing, opt for a virtual Black Friday shopping trip instead. You’ll likely get just as good a deal without having to get out of your pajamas. 

Don’t buy anything you can buy at multiple stores without comparing prices first. This will take some research, but it’ll get you the best price. 

If you want to remain loyal to a particular store but want another store’s price, show a staff member their competitor’s price. Stores will often drop their prices to compete with other retailers, and you’re the one who directly benefits. 

If you’re an at-home shopper and you want to compare prices and find the best deals most efficiently, use multiple devices while shopping. You can have stores queued up on your laptop while finding deals and coupons on your phone. 

Black Friday shopping isn’t the best day to buy items you’re not sure you’ll keep. Know the return policies before making purchases so you don’t end up buying something you can’t get a refund for if necessary.  

Throughout Black Friday, stores will introduce new sales and deals, which are shared on social media. If there’s a store you love, make sure you’re following their account so you know the best time to strike. 

Apps often have Black Friday deals that aren’t advertised on a store’s website or in-store. If you’re more of a casual Black Friday shopper, using the apps is a great way to score some deals without putting in too much effort. 

Yes, you can absolutely still shop on TV. And if you monitor the TV, you’ll find some great deals on legitimate items. Don’t discount TV shopping just because it seems outdated. 

Black Friday can be super overwhelming, no matter how prepared and organized you are. If it just doesn’t sound like something you want to participate in, but you still want to take advantage of discounted prices, wait to shop until Cyber Monday (the Monday after Black Friday). You’ll still get great deals without the Black Friday frenzy. 

Black Friday shopping isn’t like normal shopping. It’s hectic, and it’s best to be prepared in every way possible. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes for your trip so you don’t feel compelled to quit early because you’re uncomfortable. 

Not all deals are created equal. Some items are discounted at an unbelievable rate for a reason - they’re not worth purchasing. If a deal seems too good to be true, the product is probably cheap. Be wary of scams and only purchase from trusted, legitimate retailers. 

Black Friday shopping can be a great way to save some money, but it’s not the most reliable day for making purchases. Don’t rely solely on Black Friday for your holiday shopping. Make sure you have enough room in your budget to buy certain items full price sometime in December.