How to Save Big on Black Friday

For bargain-conscious people, Black Friday offers a great opportunity to trim the holiday shopping budget by finding super deals.  Check out these smart ways to maximize your savings on Black Friday and beyond.

Get a head start

While many Black Friday deals may sound like door busters, some of them might not differ much from what they were a week before. That’s why it’s good to get a head start and take a peek at products before the gravy hits those potatoes on Thanksgiving Day. Plus, many online retailers start their sales in the weeks leading up to Black Friday, so you can get most of your shopping done while everything is still in stock.

Shop smart

For starters, make a shopping list and a budget. Use the pricing research you conducted in the weeks prior to set a price limit on each item. Then, when Black Friday is in full swing, make sure you’ll be getting significant savings on each gift. It also helps to set a limit on your total spend and stick to it.

Go digital

Most mainstream retailers will offer coupons and deals on their websites and social media, so give them a look before you go. Not only will you be able to quickly find and save coupons and codes, it’s a good way to see which stores have better deals on the products you want.

A little homework helps

If you’ve done your research, odds are you’ll know where you’ll shop and when, physically or digitally. But it’s even more important to know store policies beforehand. Price-matching for example, while a common practice among many retail giants, is typically suspended during Black Friday events. So, don’t plan on doing all of your deal shopping at one place unless you’ve read the fine print first. Return policies are another one to keep an eye on, as some stores enact a “no-return” policy just for purchases during Thanksgiving week. As long as you stay in the know, you’ll be good to go.

Reward yourself

If you have a credit card with rewards, using it for holiday shopping can be a great way to maximize savings and perks even further—as long as you’ll be able to comfortably make those credit card balance payments on time (and ideally in full).  Plus, as an added bonus, most credit cards have added security features and purchase protections that can keep you and your card information safe. After all, no one wants to stress about a stolen card or data breach during the holidays. Want more credit card tips? This article can help!

Wait it out

Good things come to those who wait…until cyber Monday! If you’re not one for the hustle and bustle of Black Friday, save yourself time, energy and money by avoiding brick-and-mortar stores and taking your business online. Not only is it a more comfortable and convenient way to shop, but some of the items on your list might even be cheaper online than they are in the store, and many retailers will deliver them right to your door.