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13 Smart Black Friday Shopping Hacks to Maximize Your Savings

UPDATED FOR 2023!

Black Friday is swiftly approaching, making it the ideal occasion to secure bargains on virtually anything on your shopping agenda. Utilize these top 13 Black Friday shopping tips to save substantial amounts of both cash and time this season!

Engage in “Black Friday Week”

Black Friday has evolved beyond just the Friday following Thanksgiving. Retailers, both online and physical, now extend offers starting the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving through to Cyber Monday — the Monday immediately after Thanksgiving. For this year, the dates are November 19-27.

Beginning to monitor sales, notable price reductions, and limited-time flash sales days before Thanksgiving can help you secure some remarkable deals!

Consider shopping online, potentially exclusively

In 2023, there are scant reasons to leave your home, especially if your preferred store has an online presence. For Black Friday deals at stores like Kohl’s, Target, Walmart, Macy’s, or JCPenney, you have a greater chance of procuring the item online. And you’ll be far more at ease.

A recommendation of mine is to shop using a laptop or desktop instead of a mobile device if possible. Websites tend to be more navigable and load faster on a computer, which is crucial when trying to purchase limited-stock items.

Browse through the leaked adverts in advance

Scanning through leaked Black Friday ads helps you strategize before Thanksgiving and gives you insights on whether to seize an online price drop or a store sale in early November.

So, if you discover that Michaels is offering American Girl craft kits at 50% off on Black Friday, you’ll know if you should purchase a kit available during a one-day promotion on Amazon.

Prioritize brands that infrequently go on sale

The holiday shopping season is far longer than the span between Thanksgiving and Christmas (actually, it kicks off on November 1), allowing retailers an extensive period to offer sales and discounts.

If you genuinely wish to visit stores on Black Friday, prioritize items that aren’t heavily discounted in November and December. For instance, when deciding between a game console for your child and a winter sweater you adore, opt for the game console. Sweaters frequently go on sale and may even clearance out in January.

Enroll in store loyalty programs

Register for these rewards NOW to garner not only the Black Friday discounts or perks but also the promotional emails bearing special coupons and pre-sale notices that permit early shopping, particularly on Cyber Monday.

My recommendations? Amazon Prime and the Target REDcard.

Amazon Prime — This provides FREE two-day shipping on items sold and dispatched by Amazon. Often, you also get the opportunity to shop Lightning Deals 30 minutes before everyone else, and occasionally, Amazon offers additional discounts on popular products exclusively for Prime members. Not a Prime member yet? Access a FREE 30-day trial HERE.

Target REDcard — This card offers an extra 5% discount on all purchases. You can opt for the credit or debit card. Additionally, there’s an extended return window for purchases made with the REDcard. Obtain the REDcard HERE.

On the topic of Target, ensure you’ve downloaded the Target Circle app on your smartphone. It’s plausible that Target might provide extra discounts or exclusive promotions via the app.

Expand beyond Christmas presents

Black Friday promotions offer the deepest discounts of the year, so don’t restrict yourself to just Christmas shopping. This is an ideal period to stockpile gifts for various occasions throughout the year!

Here’s a list of items to consider buying during Black Friday sales:

Birthdays — toys, craft kits and supplies, apparel and accessories, beauty products, construction sets

Anniversaries — jewelry, watches

Weddings — small kitchen gadgets, bakeware, cookware, serve ware, linens, bedding

Graduations — luggage, travel gear, electronics

Have a method for managing receipts and rebates

Make sure to keep all transaction-related documents. I recommend having a manila folder or a lidded cardboard box at home to store receipts, gift receipts, and rebate forms in an orderly fashion.

Also, ensure that you promptly submit rebate forms. Rebate processing and receiving the check or gift card can take weeks, so get the required documents mailed as soon as possible!

It’s also wise to capture photos of the rebate forms using your phone or scan them to retain proof that you submitted all the necessary information to the manufacturer.

Buy gift cards at a discount

If you intend to spend a significant sum at a specific store, look for opportunities to purchase a gift card for that store at a reduced price.

For instance, if you’re planning to spend $100 at Best Buy, check eBay or trusted gift card marketplaces for a $100 gift card available at a 5-10% discount. Amazon frequently offers discounted gift cards during Lightning Deals and PayPal also provides discounts on eBay.

You can also support your preferred charity by buying gift cards at full price through Scrip. Chances are good that your child or grandchild’s school runs a Scrip program. You pay the face value for the gift card, and the school (or non-profit) earns a portion of the sale — essentially a commission.

Tactically shop at individual stores

Specific stores are renowned for certain Black Friday deals, so focus on these to maximize your savings.

PERSONAL ELECTRONICS (Tablets, handheld gaming devices) — Best Buy, Fred Meyer, Walmart,Office Depot, Amazon, Target

TOYS & GAMES — Amazon, Walmart, Target

TOOLS, HOME IMPROVEMENT SUPPLIES & OUTDOOR STUFF — Home Depot, True Value, Harbor Freight, Lowe’s

CLOTHING, SHOES, ACCESSORIES — Kohl’s, Macy’s, Old Navy, JCPenney, Walmart, Fred Meyer

SMALL KITCHEN & HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES — Kohl’s, Macy’s, Walmart, Fred Meyer, Amazon, Home Depot

GAMING CONSOLES & VIDEO GAMES — Best Buy, Fred Meyer, Walmart, Amazon, GameStop

COMPUTERS — Best Buy, Office Depot, Amazon, Best Buy, Costco

CRAFTS, KITS, STOCKING STUFFERS — Michaels, Craft Warehouse, JoAnn, Hobby Lobby, Walgreens

Avoid the Doorbusters

Here’s the scoop — the “doorbusters” or those “limited quantities” items hardly ever appear online. Therefore, you truly have to rise at dawn (or skip sleep) and head to the store to snag the deal.

Unless you want to endure hours in the rain and chill standing in line, just pretend the “doorbuster” offers are non-existent. The stock is usually so scarce there’s minimal to no likelihood of actually securing them.

Instead, target the next tier of discounts — not doorbusters, but significantly marked-down items. These are more likely to be in stock and commonly available online.

Shop with a Companion

If you’re keen on hitting the stores on Black Friday and you’re determined to visit a major retailer (Kohl’s, Macy’s, Walmart, Target, etc.), go shopping with a buddy.

Not only can you hunt for deals more swiftly, enhancing your chances of getting all items on your list, but one person can queue up at checkout while the other continues shopping. The queues in major stores are exceptionally long — you might spend hours waiting simply to pay for your items.

Instead, after a bit of shopping, have one person wait in line while the other completes the list. This will expedite your store exit and get you onto the next destination faster!

Utilize Promotions Wisely

Many Black Friday deals feature special promotions, like $15 Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spent at Kohl’s, rewards through loyalty schemes, and purchase-related gift cards.

If you’re using one of these promotions, ensure you redeem them thoughtfully. For instance, if you possess $90 in Kohl’s Cash, be wise and buy items that are:

  1. On sale
  2. Eligible for a coupon code
  3. Truly needed — either for yourself or as a present

Be mindful of the redemption window and expiration dates so you don’t miss out.

Seek Expert Assistance!

You shouldn’t navigate Black Friday solo. Let us assist! Here are three ways the Frugal Living NW team can help you score significant bargains:

Subscribe to our exclusive Christmas deals newsletter — Daily or periodic emails featuring our top deals will be sent to your inbox.

Join our FREE Best Christmas Deals Facebook group — Get daily updates on the best price drops and deals, mainly from Amazon, in your Facebook feed.

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