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It can be easy to get swept up in the sales and unbeatable deals of Black Friday. I personally love shopping and have found memories of going with my mom. I’m not one of those people who goes at midnight (or nowadays, after Thanksgiving dinner) – I like to sleep in and leisurely check out ongoing sales throughout the day. Let’s be honest – Black Friday is more like a month and not a day at this point. That is why, more now than ever, we need go in with a plan so we make the most out of this.
HOW TO WIN AT BLACK FRIDAY:
1. Don’t Shop Just To Shop: I know that a 40% or 50% off deal may seem tempting but if you really don’t need anything, don’t shop just get a deal. I’ve done it too many times!
2. Be Strategic: Create a list in advance. I made a list of everything I currently want/need. I’m prioritizing items that rarely go on sale. I’ll run through the list on Friday and pick up what I can!
3. Compare Deals To Normal Sales: Some stores offer the same discount they normally would. Last year Old Navy offered 40% off everything – it’s a great deal but they also offer that discount regularly. While it’s not a bad idea to still take advantage, I’d prioritize my funds for hotter sales.
4. Get Cash Back: Let’s be honest – a lot of us will solely shop online and that’s a smart decision. It makes us think about our purchases and not stray before the checkout (ahem Sephora Beauty On The Fly products). It also means we can use rebate programs like Ebates. If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ve seen me share my love of Ebates. I’ve been using it since 2015 and am not sponsored by them (but would love to be!). I’ve even gotten $500 in cash back since I joined. Ebates is a website that gives you cash back on tons of stores – you can even use the Chrome extension so you don’t forget to shop through them. Every quarter, they will send you a Big Fat Check with all your rebates. If you sign up here, you’ll get an additional $10 back with your first check!
5. Check Return Policies: Always make sure you can return items that you aren’t 100% sure you want to keep. It can be tempting in the moment to snatch up a good deal but make sure you can return it if you change your mind later.
This year is a little different for me because our moving boxes have been severely delayed and honestly we need a few things – bedding, clothes, shoes, and some essentials. I will probably be hitting Black Friday harder this year for that reason. It also means I’ve planned ahead for it (as much as I could) and have a list of what I want. There are things I need anyway and may as well get a deal on if I can! I will definitely share my favorite sales and my picks in a post later this week as well a my haul after I shop on Friday.
While this week and season isn’t just about shopping, if you do partake, I hope you get some good deals!
