Save More Money With These 6 Black Friday Tips
Black Friday and bargain hunting go together like JJ Hightail and a racing suit—they were made for each other. The Friday after Thanksgiving is the busiest shopping day of the year, and for good reason. It’s the best time to buy cheap.
While nearly every big store has Black Friday sales and promotions, there are actually a few ways you could save even more money. Just give these Black Friday tips a try!
- Make a list of everything you want.
Listing off everything you’re going to buy on Black Friday might not sound like a money-saving tip, but it is. When you walk into a store on the big day, you’ll be surrounded by bright signs screaming, “50% OFF!” and “CLEARANCE!” By making a list beforehand, you’re less likely to get distracted by other random goodies that you don’t really need.
List items in order of their priority. It may help to group items in categories like Must-Have, Nice-to-Have, and Bonus. When you’re shopping, use the list to help you stay focused. Shop the list from top to bottom.
- Do your homework.
Don’t get caught up in the Black Friday craziness and assume that every markdown you see is a total steal. It’s not. Once you’ve created your shopping list, go online to compare prices at different retailers.
A few of our favorite Black Friday deal websites include TheBlackFriday.com, RetailMeNot, and BestBlackFriday.com. These sites compile Black Friday ads, coupon codes, and more.
Many stores release Black Friday prices in early November, so take a look at which stores offer the best savings and make sure you shop there first!
Keep in mind that some stores will try to make a deal look impressive by hiking up the everyday price, so the discount seems more dramatic. By knowing the typical, everyday price for an item and scouting out the best discounts beforehand, you won’t fall for the usual Black Friday traps.
- Sign up for email newsletters and follow stores on social media.
Many stores will reward their loyal newsletter readers and followers by notifying them first when great deals are dropping. Some stores may even send out coupons!
Sign up for your favorite stores’ newsletters a couple weeks before Black Friday, because it can take a while to start receiving notifications from a company. Don’t worry—after Black Friday you can unsubscribe and unfollow to reduce your inbox clutter!
- Shop online.
These days, you can typically find the same deals online that you’d find in stores—and for a lot less hassle. By shopping online, you also have the advantage of comparing prices from several different retailers at once. If you know you’re not going to research and compare Black Friday prices beforehand, consider shopping online.
It’s also a lot easier to avoid temptation when shopping online versus wandering through aisle after aisle of great deals! Many websites will offer amazing early bird deals, too. These are often available on Thanksgiving Day, and by shopping online you won’t need to sacrifice any family time. Sneak away during everyone’s post-meal nap and snag the best offer!
- Make a budget and stick to it.
Don’t let Black Friday “steals” steal next month’s grocery money. If you aren’t careful, Black Friday can cost you more than you’d like.
Price out your “Must-Have, Nice-to-Have, and Bonus” list and total it up. Set a strict dollar amount that you won’t exceed. Walking into Black Friday with the vague goal of “not spending too much” is a dangerous game. Set a specific budget and stick to it.
- Focus on what you need.
Sounds like common sense, but common sense can also be a scarce resource on Black Friday. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the shopping frenzy. Suddenly, all your minor wants become needs… especially when you see huge markdowns.
Saving $100 on a $300 electric scooter isn’t really a great deal when you don’t need an electric scooter in the first place! Ignore the hype. Buy the things you prioritized on your list and resist the temptation to buy stuff you won’t put to good use or give to loved ones.
Black Friday is a great time to buy cheap. You can find cheap TVs, cheap video games, cheap clothes, and more. Thankfully, though, you don’t have to wait for a special holiday to get something as important as cheap car insurance. Direct Auto Insurance offers great car insurance discounts and flexible payment plans year-round so you can get insured and stay insured with cheap, quality coverage.
Call 1-877-GO-DIRECT, click to get a quote online, or come into a Direct Auto location near you today to learn more!
