20. Shop With Discounted Gift Cards
Are you looking to make the most of your Black Friday shopping trips? Then you've come to the right place!
We've rounded up some tips to help kick your holiday shopping off right!
You can find deals on gift cards at Raise.com for a large variety of retailers, including the likes of Target and Walmart.
19. Opt In For Emails
Buying discounted gift cards is an automatic (and extra!) way to save some cash this Black Friday.
Make sure you join your favorite store's mailing list to get ads and any discounts offered via email.
18. Make A Shopping List
It's recommended to do this at least two weeks before Black Friday.
Prioritize your shopping list by placing those must-find items at the top.
17. Make A Backup Plan
These can be the best deals, or a hot item that's more likely to sell out.
Make sure you have a backup plan just in case your top items are sold out.
16. Shop With A Friend
You don't want to get caught in the crowds without knowing what you're really after.
Why brave the crowds alone when you can use a friend to help you get those must-have items faster?
15. Don't Take The Kids
By working together, you can get in and out of the stores faster and have a better chance of getting your hands on those popular items.
Of course, you can't take the kids when it's them you're shopping for, and there's the whole patience factor.
14. Use Price Checking Apps
You'll undoubtedly be standing in line for who knows how long, and hearing the little ones complain won't make it any easier.
13. Plan Out Your Shopping Route
You can simply download an app, such as Amazon, that allows you to scan barcodes to see if the item is being sold at a better price somewhere else.
You'll obviously want to start at the store that has your must-have items, then you can plan your route based on store hours, sales, and other items on your list.
12. Don't Try To Price Match
But planning ahead will save you the headache of trying to figure out where you want to start when you're already in traffic.
11. Shop On Wednesday
Most store price matching policies aren't honored on Black Friday deals, so don't even waste your time trying to bargain with the cashier or manager.
10. Score Early Deals
Many stores start sales the day before Thanksgiving, giving you the chance not only to get a deal, but to also get those hot items before the crowds hit.
Don't wait until Black Friday to start finding the deals when you can find them online!
9. Shop For Other Events
You can score amazing online deals that may not be available later in the week, plus most retailers are offering free shipping as well.
With so many deals being offered, it's a waste to only shop for Christmas gifts.
8. Don't Wear Red To Target
Plan ahead for upcoming birthdays, weddings, and other events where a gift is necessary, and score those at a bargain while out doing your Black Friday shopping.
7. Know Where To Shop
Avoid wearing red to Target unless you want to be constantly stopped by other customers with questions.
With deals being offered at just about every store, it can get overwhelming.
6. Shop Online Instead
Find online guides to pick where to shop for specifics, such as clothes, tablets, and toys.
Can't stand Black Friday crowds and lines? Then, luckily for you, most stores offer the same deals online.
5. Don't Go To Walmart
And don't forget to use coupon codes, too!
Sure, the giant retailer has some great deals, but everyone else knows about them, too.
4. Start Shopping Early
Avoid the frustration (and injuries!) by staying clear of Walmart the day after Thanksgiving.
And by early, I mean early in the morning on Black Friday.
3. Set A Budget
Getting to the stores as soon as they open Thanksgiving evening or Black Friday morning means more of a chance of actually getting the items you want.
Set a strict budget to follow to avoid those impulse purchases.
2. Not Everything Is Really A Deal
It's also recommended to leave the credit cards at home to help you avoid unnecessary purchases.
Sometimes, stores will offer better deals as it gets closer to Christmas.
Retailers may also inflate prices to make it look like you're getting a deal when in reality, other stores always offer that item at the "discounted" price.