People love Black Friday because it’s a great time to get some excellent deals on things you want. But with all the excitement of the day and all the tempting offers, it’s easy to overspend. If you want to save money on Black Friday and other shopping days, here are some secrets that will help you keep your expenses in check. Before you start planning your strategy for Black Friday, take a look at these tips to help you get what you want without breaking your budget.
Set a Goal: What Are You Really Trying to Buy?
The first step to saving money on Black Friday is to set a goal. This sounds obvious, but if you don’t know what you’re trying to buy, you’re not going to find it. You can shop for anything, but Black Friday is primarily about electronics, appliances, and other home goods. So if you’re looking for clothes, toys, or other non-home items, don’t waste your time during the Black Friday sales. If you need a new computer, for example, you can get a great deal on Black Friday. If you’re in the market for a new washing machine, however, you’re out of luck.
Check Out Online Only Deals Before Black Friday
If you’re looking for something specific, you can get a head start on your shopping by checking out online deals before Black Friday. Some retailers put early Black Friday deals on their websites, so you can get a jump on the competition and spend significantly less money than everyone else shopping on the actual day. Online deals don’t just happen on Black Friday, either. Retailers often offer fantastic deals on Cyber Monday as well. If you’re willing to wait a few extra days, you might be able to save even more money.
Set a budget and stick to it
Some people like to wait until Black Friday to start their shopping, figuring they’ll just go to whichever stores have the best sales. This is a great way to spend more money than you intended. Instead, set a budget before the sales start and stick to it. If you don’t know what to spend, start by finding out how much the item you want retails for. Then find out what comparable items are selling for during the Black Friday sales. This will give you a good idea of how much you should spend.
Avoid Extended Warranties and Services
One of the biggest money pits during Black Friday is extended warranties and service contracts. Retailers know that some people will be too worried about breaking or losing their new items and will be willing to pay extra to protect them. If you’re careful, though, you won’t need these extras. And if you do break an item, you can usually get it fixed for a lot less than the extended warranty would cost. If you broke something last year and paid for the extended warranty, though, you might want to consider getting it again this year. Retailers often change their policies for extended warranty items and might not honor your original contract. If you’re not sure, check with the company that issued your warranty to make sure you’ll still be covered.
Conclusion
The best way to save money on Black Friday is to set a goal, check out online deals beforehand, and set a budget. Avoid extended warranties and services, and you’ll be able to save even more. Whether you’re shopping online or in person, these tips will help you get what you want without breaking your budget.
