Top 10 Ways to Save Big This Black Friday

 

Many of us are sitting on pins and needles with anticipation of this week’s Black Friday shopping season to begin. As our dreams have been filled with the promise of scoring the lowest prices of the year on electronics, everything for a new TV, tablet, or gaming system. While you can score awesome deals on Black Friday, there are still several pitfalls you need to be on the lookout for. Some shoppers will get taken in by so-so prices masquerading as basement bargain deals, while others will miss out on deals due to a lack of research and price-point foresight.

Well, no worries, I’ve got you covered with my 10 Black Friday shopping tips, and here’s how you can best save this coming Friday: 

1. Start early. No longer can you just scope out your Sunday circulars to see which local retailers have the best deals. For each store you are planning to shop, be sure to check out their site online for the most up-to-date pricing and product availability throughout the event.

2. Look for leaks. Only rookies head out on Black Friday unprepared. Black Friday veterans get ready for shopping by studying the ads—in print and online—the weekend before Thanksgiving. In fact, Black Friday leaks are already started to appear nationally on sites such as theblackfriday.com, as early as mid-September, that let you filter your searches by product category or recipient. 

3. Compare prices. If you spot a great deal at one retailer, be sure to check out some of the comparison sites, such FatWallet and ShopZilla to make sure you can’t score better deals at home or elsewhere. Also check out apps like NexTag.com, that let you scan bar codes to compare prices, get discounts, and score coupons from local retailers. Even Pinterest has price-drop alerts that will monitor items you’ve pinned on certain websites and email you with the price differences when they go on sale. 

4. Loyalty matters. Store loyalty programs often offer sales and promotions to their members first, allowing them to earn rewards on what they buy. So for stores you shop at most, you can go onto the store’s site and sign up for Black Friday shopping alerts about upcoming promotions, coupons, and discounts. It’s never too late to look for loyalty discounts today!

5. Socialize. The Facebook pages and Twitter feeds of your favorite retailers are a great way to find out about deals and promotions, as stores often reward customers who like and follow them with special alerts to Black Friday discounts. Somes stores also reward customers who sign up for their text promotions as well. So check your phones and feeds for the Black Friday shopping intel in your area.

6. Charge your phone before you shop. It goes without saying that before you shop, charge your phone. You’ll need your phone in the store to comparison shop. You’ll also need your phone for QR-code scanner reader on the major retailers’ apps, such as Amazon, eBay, and Walmart. 

7. Create a budget. When shopping Black Friday deals, you need a budget and you need to stick to it. Your Black Friday budget should reflect your allocations for your doorbuster specials and nothing else. As always, plan to use cash. 

8. Know your stores policies. Always know your store’s price-match and return policies. Some stores suspend their price-match guarantees during the Black Friday weekend on certain items, so read the fine print. Check the return and exchange policies for Black Friday sales to make sure that the store won’t charge a restocking fee for any item you bring back after the holiday weekend had ended.

9. Avoid accessories. You’ve just scored an awesome giant-screen smart TV at an all-time low price. Now, don’t blow your budget by splurging on pricey accessories or extended warranties. If you need batteries, cables, cords, or accessories, check eBay, Amazon, and Newegg first!

10. Sometimes the cheap runs expensive. Doorbuster specials may bring you great seasonal savings, but they might not offer you the best product for your needs. Thinka ahead. Don’t just consider the bells and whistles of the day but how you will use the TV in the years to come. Is it cable compliant and wifi-ready for Netflix binging? Is this TV energy saving? During your Black Friday shopping don’t be afraid to ask questions about all the electronics you’d like to buy this Friday.

So savvy savers, what are your best Black Friday shopping tips? Be sure to share them with me in the comments section below. Have a wonderful Black Friday!