Retailers are already gearing up for Black Friday—the most fiercely competitive shopping period of the year. That means you can start preparing now for how, where, and when you’ll shop on Black Friday and during the days that follow through Cyber Monday.
To get the most out of this hectic shopping stretch, you need a plan. Consider the following practical tips before you leave the house or power up your device on Black Friday.
1. Make Two Lists
Start by setting clear spending limits and researching items ahead of time to avoid overspending on impulse buys. Make one list of friends and family members you want to buy for and assign a budget for each person. Let the list sit a day or two to catch anyone you might have forgotten.
Create a second list for holiday supplies—gift wrap, ribbon, tape, décor, and other essentials—and set a budget for those items as well. With both lists in hand, you’ll have a realistic shopping budget and clearer financial expectations, which will make the shopping experience less stressful.
2. Take Advantage of Social Media
Sign up for newsletters and rewards programs from your favorite retailers and follow them on social platforms. Many retailers share exclusive deals or early notices of sales with their followers. To keep your regular inbox manageable, consider using a separate email address for retailer messages during the holidays.
Instagram is especially useful for holiday shopping because retailers often post timely deals there as Black Friday approaches. Following stores and deal accounts can alert you to promotions you might otherwise miss.
3. Add Useful Shopping Apps
Install apps that help you compare prices, collect rewards, and find coupons. Popular tools for deal hunting include price-comparison and deal-aggregation apps. Coupon apps can replace paper coupons you forgot at home, and some apps reward you with points that convert to gift cards when you shop with partner retailers. These tools save money and time when you’re evaluating competing offers.
4. Don’t Forget a Map App, Too
If you’ll be spending time at a mall or large shopping center, use a map app to save your parking location so you don’t wander the lot with bags in hand searching for your car. Most map apps let you drop a pin or tap the blue dot to mark where you parked.
5. Sharpen Your Tactical Plan
Avoid shopping at random. Prioritize stores that have the best deals for the items at the top of your list. Note each store’s hours and how long a promotion runs—doorbusters are often limited in quantity. Try to group shopping destinations geographically to minimize backtracking. A tactical plan saves both time and money.
6. Shop in Your PJs
If the idea of rising before dawn to hit stores sounds miserable, shop online instead. Many retailers run online-only sales and extend doorbuster-style deals to their websites. You can often find excellent bargains on Black Friday and Cyber Monday without leaving home.
7. Know Who Matches Prices
Research price-matching policies for the retailers you plan to visit. Some stores will match a competitor’s price for the identical in-stock item; others may exclude holiday promotions. Read the fine print because a retailer’s price-match promise may not apply during Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
8. Consider Refund Policies
Returns are common after the holidays, so always ask for a gift receipt. Some retailers have more generous return policies than others, which makes exchanges or returns easier if a gift doesn’t work out. If a store denies a refund, check whether your credit card offers purchase protection that could help you recover the cost.
9. Pay With a Rewards Card
Use a credit card that earns rewards aligned with what you value most—cash back, travel points, or other perks. Rewards cards can increase the value of your purchases, but make sure any new card’s benefits outweigh potential downsides like interest charges if you carry a balance.
10. Power Up Your Electronics Purchases…
Electronics typically see strong discounts on Black Friday. Watch for deals on 4K TVs, tablets, e-readers, smart home devices, cameras, phones, and game consoles. If electronics are on your list, research models and typical prices in advance so you can recognize a genuine bargain.
11. …But Know When the Price is Right
Be aware that some retailers raise prices earlier in the season only to offer steeper discounts on Black Friday, making the sale price appear better than it truly is. Track historic prices when possible so you can spot authentic discounts and avoid being misled by temporary markups.
12. Examine the Ads
Look through store ads and online deal roundups before Thanksgiving to see which retailers will carry the items you want and when their promotions begin. Early ad browsing helps you prioritize where to shop and which deals to chase, so you won’t waste time on offers that aren’t relevant to your list.
13. Gear Up
Prepare a small kit to make the day more comfortable and efficient:
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Dress in layers to handle warm stores and cool outdoor conditions
- Bring your phone and keep it charged
- Carry your shopping list and any coupons
- Make sure you have the appropriate credit card
- Pack snacks and water
- Bring a friend for support and to share the experience
14. Adhere to Your Budget
Stick to the budgets you assigned to each person and to your list of holiday items. Avoid impulse purchases unless they fit within your plan. If you can’t find what you want on Black Friday, remember that similar deals often reappear in December—so waiting a bit can sometimes save you from overspending.