by Marisa Seager
Thanksgiving this, Thanksgiving that. I’m ready for Black Friday. Below are some tips that I’ve compiled to help you get the best deals during this holiday season.
- Get started early. Some of the sales have already begun so you don’t necessarily have to wait for Black Friday to start shopping. Additionally, retailers may participate in holiday refunds and return policies meaning that you may be eligible for a partial refund if you purchase items that will go on sale later. Don’t quote me on this one but it’s definitely something to keep in mind.
- Make use of websites and apps. Leading up to Black Friday, track prices so that you can judge how good (or bad) the deals are. Check out the Consumer Reports website which lists current prices at various places for different products. Don’t be afraid to compare prices, check for coupons, and use loyalty programs too.
- Check store policies. Before you start shopping, be sure to know a store’s price-match and return policies. Most major retailers have some type of price-match policy, but it doesn’t hurt to check as you might be able to score a lower price. It’s important that you always read the fine print on sale advertisements as well.
- Shop online. Most deals will be available both in-person and online so why deal with the extra craziness if you don’t have to? Again, be sure to read the fine print just to make sure.
Create a budget to stick to. It’s really easy to get caught up in the excitement of shopping but you also don’t want to regret your purchases later. So, decide ahead of time how much you want to spend, what you want to buy, and try your best to resist the temptation of excess buying.
