Don’t risk not being prepared for your Black Friday shopping this year! Follow these DOs and DON’Ts to guarantee a fun, thrifty, and successful day.
Don’t forget to check http://www.retailmenot.com/
They have both printable coupons for in store purchases and promotion codes for online shopping. This website can (and will) save you A LOT of money if you choose to use it. Simply search for a specific store, and various coupons and promotion codes will pop up. They have coupon codes and coupons for 130,000 stores. They even label each code with its success rate!
Do save some money for Cyber Monday
Don’t know what Cyber Monday is? It is the Monday following Thanksgiving when tons of stores have big sales and offer generous discounts to customers who order merchandise online. This year Cyber Monday is Nov.28; it will be a great day to buy clothes online.
DO check out http://www.blackfriday2011.com/deals
This site is your holy grail when it comes to planning your adventures on Black Friday. First of all, it lists pretty much every Black Friday ad out there. When everyone else is waiting for their Black Friday ads to come in the mail, you will already know where all the hot deals are! The site also lists stores that participate in Black Friday, along with a little blurb about the store and its sales and/or discounts. One of the handiest parts of the site is the section devoted entirely to the stores hours of operation on Black Friday. Now you don’t have to search around tons of stores websites for their hours, and many of these stores do not list their Black Friday hours on their website anyways. Simply click onto the store hours tab at the top of the page to plan out when and where to go!
DON’T wear heavy winter clothing during black Friday
Of course, if the stores you’re going to are primarily outside there is an exception to this rule. If you’re planning on being in the mall all day though, chances are they have a heating system and you will not need that jacket, scarf and gloves. You will probably be taking off your cold weather gear anyways, and you don’t want to risk losing that cute scarf do you?
DO get caffeinated
There are sure to be plenty of long lines, tons of walking around, and no seats to sit in during Black Friday. Too tired to make that cup of Joe? Take a few minutes to pick up some coffee or an energy drink as you head to your shopping destinations, you’ll be thankful you did.
DON’T bring the BF
OK, most boys don’t like to shop anyways, so why drag them along on your most important shopping trip of the year? If he agrees to go, just make sure he knows what he’s up for. Warn him of what your intentions are for that day, such as where you’re going and how long you plan to be out
DO like on Facebook and follow on Twitter stores you’re planning on going to
Many stores will likely post about sales and deals they will be having, and you don’t want to miss! Some might even be giving away freebies and offering other incentives for showing up, like big discounts!
DON’T wait until Thursday night to plan
First of all, you’re going to be super stuffed and tired from Thanksgiving Dinner. The last thing you’re going to want to do is be planning out your trip for the next day, plus you should be spending time with the family! Also, some stores have sales and offer discounts prior to black Friday. Yep, you might have been able to order those boots the day before with free shipping and 20% off, instead of waking up at 4:00 a.m. on Friday morning
DON’T carry all those bags around all day
Don’t be unwilling to take a quick stop to the car to drop off your new purchases. It will be so much easier to walk through all those crowded stores, and you won’t constantly be worrying “Where are my bags?!”, or risk losing them.
DO wear comfortable shoes
Don’t put your shopping trip in jeopardy because your feet are killing you. Sure those heels are adorable, but you won’t care when they’ve given you blisters from walking around all day
DON’T plan on hitting the food court
It most likely going to be VERY busy, dirty, and there is likely not going to be anywhere to sit. Instead slip a sandwich and a snack in your bag you munch on between stores.
Are you planning on going Black Friday shopping this year? Do you have any other tips? Let us know in the comments below!