How To Make The Most of Your Black Friday Shopping
Black Friday is notorious for being the best day of the year for deal-hunters. The annual affair for pre-holiday shopping is a tradition worldwide, and this year will be no exception. Consumers are already itching to find the best virtual deals on everything from clothing to household goods to self-care products and more, and retailers are looking for ways to give their businesses a boost to close out 2020 with record sales. As a result, unprecedented online sales are sure to materialize, and for savvy, well-prepared shoppers … they’ll cash in on deals of a lifetime.
So how can you make your dollars go further and find that special something for everyone on your list — at the best price? Follow our 2020 Guide to Black Friday shopping to take advantage of the most wonderful bargain-hunting day of the year.
The 2020 MyUS Guide to Black Friday Shopping
Black Friday falls on November 27th this year, but it’s important to note that the deals are not limited to just one day. The key to finding the best deals this year is to start planning early — and follow these tips for planning your holiday shopping to find the best deals and get the most out of your budget.
#1: Plan ahead
It’s never too early to start planning for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and 2020’s holiday shopping season. So, start getting geared up a few weeks before the big day. Do your homework – it’ll make it much easier to take advantage of the best deals for products and find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list. Start by combing your favorite websites and signing up for the email lists of your favorite retailers. Next, track the activity of products and companies you love via your social media channels. Coupons, discounts, and exclusive deals are typically shared before the Black Friday kickoff, so be proactive in your bargain-hunting, and it will pay off later.
#2: Create a “set in stone” budget
When you determine a budget for your holiday shopping before ever clicking, “BUY”, you’re more likely to stay within your spending parameters. We know budgeting isn’t usually at the top of anyone’s “joy” list, but it’s an essential part of strategic holiday shopping and one that you’ll thank yourself for later. Spare yourself the stress and self-loathing of overspending, and set a budget – then stick to it.
#3 Make a shopping list
Who’s on your list? Are you buying gifts for friends and family members this year on Black Friday? How about that favorite colleague you haven’t seen in months (thanks, pandemic)? To maximize your budget, making a shopping list is a must before delving into the madness of Black Friday. After all, if you have a list, you’re far less likely to make impulse purchases. If you’re buying for yourself, create a “wants” vs. “needs” list. Start with buying what you need. If there’s room left in your budget for something from the want column, perhaps you can treat yourself (without the guilt). Having a list also helps you honor the budget you’ve set… it’s the checks and balances you need to stay on track during the Black Friday shopping frenzy.
#4 It’s a marathon, not a sprint
There’s no need to rush to find the quickest deals and spend your entire budget during the first 30 minutes of Black Friday. Be strategic. Take your time to find the items on your list that fit within your budget. Compare prices from different retailers for the items that you’re looking for. Check websites, apps, and social media to find promos and discounts from your favorite stores. Pro tip: Begin your coupon search at coupon sites like RetailMeNot, CouponCabin, and Honey to find all (or at least most) applicable coupons for your favorite retailers. Do your due diligence and research return policies — become familiar with the policies at the stores you shop at, as they can vary depending on item and store.
#5 Consolidate & bundle to stretch your dollars
To make the most of your shopping and save money on shipping — bundle it. When you’re shopping online, you’ll save more when you consolidate your packages into one shipment rather than shipping directly from multiple retailers. Think about your bundle in terms of weight vs. size. If you buy clothing, kitchen appliances, bath & body products, etc., and then ship them separately, you’ll end up with increased costs for the multiple packages. When you combine your items into a single shipment, you’ll save considerably on international shipping costs – particularly when shopping (and then shipping) across multiple retailers. We’ve made bundling easy at MyUS, giving you access to thousands of US stores and discounted shipping rates. Package consolidation always saves you money when you bundle your orders with us — visit our pricing page to get shipping estimates on your bundle: https://www.myus.com/pricing/.
#6 How to find the best deals for the products you want
The thrill of the hunt for the best deal can be fun, but it can also be exhausting. Where do you look to compare prices on similar items? If you’re looking for a shortcut, try https://blackfriday.com/ and https://hip2save.com/tips/black-friday-price-comparison-cheat-sheet/. Blackfriday.com gives you a head start at finding sneak peek deals at your favorite retailers like Walmart, Macy’s, Kohl’s, Home Depot, Sam’s Club, and Costco. Hip2save provides a cheat sheet with price comparison spreadsheets for anyone hoping to find the best deal on the products they’re hunting for. These sheets are continually being updated with the latest information from the most popular stores. Their elves are closely monitoring the internet for Black Friday ad leaks and are sharing them every minute — follow this closely to find the best deals!
#7 Have fun!
There will be lots of great offers and discounts enticing you to spend money this holiday season. It’s been a heck of a year for everyone. Sometimes, retail therapy is just what the doctor ordered — so find joy in getting a killer deal! Remember to stick to your budget, but treat yourself to something that will make you feel good (but not guilty). Happy holidays!
Sources:
https://www.consumerreports.org/shopping-retail/top-10-black-friday-shopping-tips/
https://clark.com/shopping-retail/online-shopping-guide-get-best-price-possible/
https://www.moneycrashers.com/black-friday-shopping-tips/