Going out Black Friday shopping this year? Before you go out spending your money this Black Friday 2018, you need to learn a few tricks that you are going to love.
If you haven’t heard many malls across the USA won’t be opening on Thanksgiving Day because they want to give their employees off.
This year, many companies are kind of playing the waiting game when it comes to deals, and you might see a significant increase in online sales thanks to our friends at Amazon.
You could start seeing online sales on Wednesday night, yes the night before Thanksgiving. As you can see this year Black Friday shopping will be a game changer as it has for numerous years.
Though many malls will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, major retailers like Walmart, Target, among other stores.
That being said, you can still enjoy your Black Friday shopping the old fashion way and like a champ.
If you don’t like or enjoy Black Friday, then this post might not be for you, and that is OK. But for millions of Americans who enjoy it then this post is for you mad people!
Let's face it; Black Friday is gone since stores have been gradually started to open earlier and earlier the past few years.
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If you did not realize that the biggest shopping day of the year is currently Thanksgiving, you have been hiding under a rock (Welcome back, by the way).
From Friday 5 am to Midnight, then Thursday 10 pm, then Thursday 8 pm, to now 6 pm Thanksgiving Day, each passing year led to what was once Black Friday to be moved to Thanksgiving Day.
Well, today you will be able to get ten helpful tips to survive Black Friday shopping from a former retail manager, me!
Because Black Friday shoppers like yourself deserve a medal and these tips will make your shopping experience a better one my friends!
This is the biggest shopping season of the year. It is also a time where store go hard on their sales, and this is not a joke. Prices are down, and consumers take advantage of it. Store goals are to make 4th quarter numbers, and they want to make sure Black Friday sales at the biggest one.
I worked retail for 15 years; these merchandises are marked to sell. Black Friday event now called Event Day takes weeks of planning and preparation just for a few hours!
For those who are against it and don’t want to participate, again I understand. For those who love the thrill and want to grab the bargains, I have some tips for you to survive Black Friday like a boss!
Heads up! Target will be opening Thanksgiving Day 2018 at 5 pm and closing at 1 am on Black Friday. The stores will reopen again at 7 am Black Friday.
Let’s take a look at these 10 helpful tips to help you survive Black Friday, shall we?
How to Survive 2018 Black Friday Shopping
Look at the stores Thanksgiving ads
Start planning as soon as the store Black Friday ads come out. Many of them are leaked online, and you can check them out early. That being said, every region in the USA has a different ad so I recommend waiting until your local store ad is out.
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The reason why is because the items might be different and the prices might be different as well. Always err on the side of caution and check your local ad as soon as it is available.
Make a plan
Start creating your plan of which store(s) you are going to shop that day. You know you won't be able to go to all of them at the same time; this is where the next helpful tips come in.
Also, create a shopping list weeks before and a budget so you can be organized on what you want to get and not overspend your money. Grab the free Black Friday and Cyber Monday mini planner by clicking the image above or the link here.
The more, the merrier
During this day, the sales will be there, and one shopping buddy isn't going to cut it. You need a team to help each other during these crazy hours. Divide into groups and head to different stores; this will up your chances of getting what you want.
Bring your ads
Price matching is king that day. Bring your ads with you when you check out to get the best deals. Again, check your local store as Walmart doesn’t price match anymore and they didn’t do it during Black Friday weekend for us.
Remember that your smartphone can help you score even significant savings when you use coupons and use rebates apps such as:
Stay warm
It's cold, and if you are planning on camping out, you need the right attire. Don’t forget your hat, gloves, scarf, heavy coat, and even a blanket. Oh, and remember to bring a portable cellphone charger too! Your phone is going to be working double time that day!
Coffee and MORE COFFEE!
Black Friday shopping is a long process, and you will be tired. Get your caffeine drinks and keep going.
Have a backup plan
It's called the biggest shopping day of the year, and this means expect a crowd. Expect not to find what you are looking for. Everyone is shopping for the same reason you are to grab those deals!
Also remember this tip: Hot items that the “IT” items this season are not going to go on sale. Expect stores only to carry low quantities of these items which makes it impossible to get during Black Friday.
Relax and enjoy yourself
As difficult as it may be, getting upset or worked up over deals is not worth it. I've seen a lot as a former retail manager, being arrested because you got pushed or someone took that item you wanted is not worth it. People are not the nicest around this time of the year, and you are going to be stuck in long lines.
Adults start acting like kids because of not being able to find that perfect gift they promised their kids. Just take the day and relax! Enjoy the day and have fun!
Avoid Overbuying
Let's face it, the sales might be good, but are they? The hot items of the seasons might not be on sale. Not everything that is on sale at a store is a good deal. Overbuying will happen if you think you are getting a great price.
Always stick to your plan and buy what you planned. You already did your research so you know you are getting the best deal. Don't buy things just because you think the sale price is good if you don't know.
Stay home!
Listen, this is the best thing you can do. Stay home. Shop online. You will be surprised how much you can find online instead of dealing with a crowd.
Start looking for the deals on deal sites because these companies will be working overtime looking for the best deals for their readers.
Conclusion
You will survive Black Friday shopping, and you will enjoy thanks to these helpful tips. Enjoy the chaos, stay warm, and expect the unexpected during this Black Friday day.
Your turn: What other Black Friday shopping survival tip do you have for us? Share it with us!
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Great list, trying to decide if I’m brave enough to get out there!
Last year, it didn’t happen. I was tired and honestly found the what I wanted online. The next day the stores were empty and I found a few things without the crowd.
Good tips. I absolutely avoid the stores on Black Thursday/Friday. I actually heard that the biggest storewide sales are on Cyber Monday, so you are more likely to that exactly what you want on sale. And don’t forget to shop local – Small Biz Saturday!
Yes! Small Biz Saturday!! Thank Karen!
Great tips! I can’t wait to shop- although I’ll probably only go on Friday!
I’m with you on Friday or even EARLY Friday less stressful.
CVS, RiteAid, Wags – that’s my Black Friday – and coupons, too 😀
CVS for us!
Great tips! I usually don’t participate in the madness but I might this year 🙂
http://neatly-packaged.com/
I worked during this madness, it was crazy and it made the day go fast. 🙂
Great tips. I despise the fact that black friday has slowly worked it’s way to thanksgiving day, but I’ve accepted it. I plan on spending my time on my computer vs. out in the store, but there are a couple things I want to grab thursday night before I get too fed up with the crowds!
After working so many years Black Friday I am not a crowd lover. I love it when it comes to that time and the online deals start popping.
These are great tips! I don’t think I’m gonna be participating in the madness this year. Way too cold (and I need more sleep)! 😛
Good for you! Sleep is good. I miss it sometime. Thank you!
These are awesome tips! Black Friday scares the crap out of me. haha
Ha ha ha! I have stories of crazy black Fridays through the years, but I won’t scare you. Thank you. 🙂
Oh My Do I Need These!! I had my very first Black Friday experience last year and I was totally unprepared. I never even considered to start prepping ahead of time. Now I Know!! Thanks so much for these helpful tips!
Thank you Tiffany. Good luck!
great tips! esp on the coffee front haha. I always feel so exhausted after, but the “rush” of BF feels like being in a casino where you feel wide awake when you’re in it and then you don’t know what time it is and when you finish, you’re like passed the f out lol.
Sooo true.. this made me laugh! Thank Tianna.
haha I’m glad 🙂 If you have a free moment, give my blog a visit at http://StorybookApothecary.com ♥ otherwise stay safe on BF!
I love Black Friday shopping, but I simply haven’t been able to get on board with Thursday shopping. All I can think about is how many cashiers aren’t spending Thanksgiving with their families because of everyone’s obsession with sales.
I worked retail many years. Even before the event was moved to Thursday, set up was Thanksgiving. Even when we had natural disasters, people simply love to shop. 🙁 Last year was the first year I was home (not working) I didn’t go anywhere on Thanksgiving.
These are really great tips! This will be my first time doing Black Friday Shopping, so hopefully I survive! I will definitely be consuming lots of coffee!
Ha ha!! Coffee, coffee!! Good luck!
There are never any real big ticket items worth fighting the crowds for, but i know plenty of people who do their Black Friday shopping every year. I’ll pass it along 🙂
Thank you Laura. 🙂
These are some awesome tips. Thanks for sharing them with us!
Thank you for stopping by, Kimberly.
I haven’t gone shopping on Black Friday in years – instead I get on my computer and shop in my PJs. But if I do decide to hit the mall these are great tips!
Thank you Amanda. Online shopping is simply the best in my opinion. 🙂
I have never shopped on Black Friday, definitely not my cup of tea so I will take step number 9 and stay home and let everyone else get those great deals at the stores!
Love your style Tara! Thank you.
Planning to survive it the best way … shopping online. And plan to be completely finished by end of Cyber Monday!
I hear ya! So you got this planned. Start online Thursday and have it done by Cyber Monday. I love it.
I live in Canada so we don’t really have problems with Black Friday Shopping but I’m sure your tips are going to be pretty helpful. I also love to shop online.
Thank you Caroline!
Awesome tips! So glad that one of them was to stay home because I was starting to get anxious up to that point! Lol. Also glad to hear the stores were dead. Maybe I’ll actually get some Black Friday shopping done this year!
I say shop Friday skip Thursday.
Love your tips, haven’t experienced Black Friday but I heard lots about it.
Thank you Shaney! Black Friday used to be a bit more insane than before thanks to online shopping.
This is great! I’m still debating if I will do Black Friday shopping or not, but the deals that are to be had are so amazing.
If you don’t want to go out, check online!
There is no Black Friday in Ecuador. But I try to stay away from shops before Christmas anyways. It’s just too crazy for me.
When I was growing up in Puerto Rico we didn’t have Black Friday. Fast forward now and they do. I think the stores get worst as Christmas approaches.
Oh these are usual I am gonna share wit my mom. i not doing black friday since I am 7 months pregnant.
Thank You Lauren! Congratulations!
Great tips! I have family that will be in town over the holidays so we will most likely be shopping on Black Friday. As for Black Thursday, I will be stuffing my face with turkey and filled with thankfulness that I am not out shopping amid the madness! 😛
-Grace Treherne – The Becoming Mom Blog (http://www.trehernemommy.wordpress.com)
The way I feel right now, shopping tomorrow will be out of the question. Friday…. Friday… LOL
Lol! You’re so right … shopping on Black Friday after all the crowds have gone is awesome!
Indeed. I enjoyed it last year with my aunts and friend. Got what I wanted and stress free!
Great tips! I’m not a Black Friday shopper but I know lots of people who are!
Thank you Emma. Thank you for commenting.
These are really good tips. I, however, avoid it all and take part in cyber Monday.
Thank you, Wow! So far today I haven’t found anything online. Can you believe that? Have a great day and thank you for commenting.
Great tips! I don’t shop on Black Friday for several reasons 1) I live in a big city and every year there’s at least one person who gets killed 2) The deals aren’t worth the madness 3) since having kids I value sleep more than anything else. My husband, however, is a different story…
YES!! Listen Philadelphia is not joke and neither is smaller cities. Since I stay home and by 8pm kids are sleep and we have extended family over the cousins and our husband we head out to our small Walmart to see what’s left. Normally I am looking for stuff we need for the house. Now if I’m tired we head to the store early Friday morning and it was dead. One thing that drove me nuts when I manage a store was having kids at that time of night and with the crowd. It drove me nuts. It wasn’t safe for kids. Thank you for stopping by Sarah!