My TOP Black Friday Shopping Tips

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Wow! The time is getting close. Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just around the corner and will be here before we know it! With that being said, watch the video below if you didn’t get a chance to last year – I share my top Black Friday Shopping tips (and then check out all of the tips listed below the video)…

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0kjSdzXYTw&w=640&h=360](If you can’t see the video, go here.)

[h2s_box]A BIG thanks to the super talented musician, Jessica Frech, who wrote and performed the “Black Friday Night” song featured in this video. If you enjoyed this song, be sure to check out Jessica’s You Tube Channel, website, Facebook page and Twitter page. Thank you, Jessica![/h2s_box]

My top 12 Black Friday shopping tips:

(1) Be prepared. Before you head out to the store, research the Black Friday ads (which I will be posting as the become available) and outline exactly what you would like to purchase. And to be extra prepared, you can even research the layout of your store, so you’ll know exactly where to head to grab the items on your list.

(2) Be ready to stand in line for quite a long time. Wear comfy shoes and appropriate outerwear and consider leaving the kiddos at home (if this is not possible, bring toys or other items to keep them entertained while shopping).

(3) Know your store’s hours (some stores are opening on Thanksgiving night while others are waiting until the wee hours of Friday morning). Again, I will be posting store-specific information in the coming days.

(4) Familiarize yourself with each store’s price matching and/or coupon policy. Keep in mind that many stores have created special price matching policies specific for Black Friday.

(5) Make a list! This will keep you focused and will definitely help to prevent you from being tempted to purchase additional items that are not on the list.

(6) Remember to ask yourself whether the great deal you see is actually a great deal for you. You may also want to research online prices versus in-store prices, as you can often snag better deals online even when you factor in shipping costs. Plus, think about the time and gas saved when shopping online! Love that!

(7) Keep those receipts! After the adrenaline rush is over, you may realize that you got caught up in the Black Friday craziness and purchased items that you really do not want. As long as you have the receipt, you should be able to return them and get a full refund.

(8) Go with your mom, sister, or a friend. Plan ahead and plan to split up so you can snag items for each other. It’s the only way I’ve figured out to help you be in two places at once! If you don’t want to go to separate stores, you can each start out on separate ends of the same store and meet in the middle after you’ve snatched up as many of the things on your (and each other’s) lists as you could along the way.

(9) Gas up the night before so you don’t waste precious sleep OR shopping time at the pump. Also, map out your route based on store opening times to minimize backtracking and missing out on doorbuster items you’re planning to purchase.

(10) Don’t give up! If the item you are looking for is not on the shelf or display, check the front of the store where other shoppers may have left items they weren’t sure about before checking out. Or, check with your cashier to see if someone happened to change their mind at the register and leave the item you were looking for there.

(11) Be friendly. You will be amazed at how people will help each other, even in the craziness, if they are approached with kindness.

(12 ) And my favorite tip of all… skip Black Friday and wait for Cyber Monday instead! There is nothing better than snagging *HOT* deals from the comfort of your own home in your favorite PJ’s! :D

[h2s_box width=”2″ style=”dashed” color=”#000000″]

If you are indeed planning to brave the stores this Friday, November 28th, be sure to check out all the Black Friday match-ups found here and check out the Black Friday Deals 2014 board on Hip2Save’s Pinterest page!

Head over here to check out other Black Friday Ad scans, Deals, and Sale Previews. [/h2s_box]

Join The Discussion

Comments 79

  1. Katie

    That picture is hilarious and adorable! You guys are seriously the cutest! Thanks for all the great tips!

    • Happymama

      I know! I was thinking that pic was taken in your gift closet LOL. It must be huge πŸ™‚

    • nicolegammeter

      You are welcome, Katie! πŸ™‚

  2. Missie B.

    Love the picture! Your family is awesome!!!

    • nicolegammeter

      Awww…thanks so much! πŸ™‚

  3. Amanda B.

    Cyber Monday is sounding SO GOOD this year. However; are doorbusters ever online? I need a few electronics this year but don’t want to brave the “crazies”

    • Emily

      I was able to order my TV at Target when their Thanksgiving sale started online. It was a few days before Black Friday. I was also able to get the camera they had for $99 and Best Buy’s sales start earlier. But, I should say to research the equipment because the TV sounded like a great deal and it was, but the TV had no reviews online and was a reputable brand. We went with it but when it arrived it had a broken remote receiver and the week after Thanksgiving, that tv had a ton of reviews from holiday shoppers that had the same problem. We took it back and bought an Insignia at Best Buy instead.

  4. Kathy

    I will also say that you need to research food. One year we had been out shopping all night and could not find a restaurant to get food any where. We were starving and eventually found one open to get some food.

    • Happymama

      Waffle House is always open.

      • B

        Sadly I think McDonalds or any other fast food restaurant is less greasy & less disgusting than Waffle House & that’s saying something! I’ve only been in a Waffle House one time & the smell of the place was SO GROSS! Smelled like years old grease & dirt or something. And the food was worse than the smell!

    • Kristen

      Amen! The one thing I don’t like is how long it takes until lunch time! lol This girl’s gotta eat! Last year the only thing we could find open at 4 in the morning was Chick Fil A, and a biscuit had never tasted so good!

    • shopper

      IHOP is 24hrs. Some McDonald’s are to.

    • Mika

      The frugal thing to do would be to bring your own food. That way you can save some money and eat whenever you want.

  5. Lindsay

    Great tips! My favorite is #12. Lol
    Actually, I find that a lot of the Black Friday deals I tend to buy are available online, often of Thanksgiving Day. My favorite deal is when Kohls offers $15 Kohls cash for every $50 spent. Hoping they do that again.
    Wishing you a great season Collin! Thanks for all the $$$ you save us πŸ™‚

    • nicolegammeter

      You’re so welcome, Lindsay! Happy Shopping! πŸ™‚

  6. Kristen

    I really like that Walmart is saving their sales until FRIDAY this year! Imagine, Black Friday on friday! I wish all the stores would do this and respect the holiday of Thanksgiving! But I guess that’s a time wasted argument..Great tips Collin! Thanks!

    • annadm

      walmart will be open 6pm on thursday

      • Kristen

        I saw on a Black Friday preview they were not opening until Friday, but that could’ve been wrong. I hate when stores do this, especially for those cashiers who don’t want to be working on Thanksgiving!

        • annadm

          i work at a hospital and will be working in the morning too. they, as will i get extra pay for working. Its the wrong job if you dont want to work holidays

          • JenJen

            The pay between a cashier and a health care provider is very different.

            • Momof3

              Most of the time, so is their education πŸ˜‰

          • Cheryl

            Retail workers don’t get any extra money for working holidays. Most of the time its mandatory to work, managers and everyone.

          • Luv

            Not every hospita give extra pay for working holiday. I work in a hospital and we do not get extra pay for working any holiday, it’s just another day but they do give working employees a voucher for a meal on thanksgiving and Christmas Day in the hospital cafeteria. I am just thankful for employment.

        • B

          They’ll be opening at 6pm on Thursday. Even worse is Kmart which will be open at 8AM on Thursday which is absolutely ridiculous!

          • Kristen

            Exactly- so does Black Friday even exist anymore? More like Black Thursday

          • Queenjen87

            I always end up working Black Friday, so I don’t mind the stores opening Thursday evening. I actually get to shop some. I always spend all morning cooking and spending time with family. Then when everyone falls asleep with a full belly I can sneak out for presents πŸ™‚ well, okay usually 1-2 things because I shop all year. Oh and last year I shared my extra fisher price coupons with other patrons at kmart Thursday early morning πŸ™‚

        • Cari

          My sister worked at Target through college and she knew she would have to work Black Friday. Those are jobs for high school and college kids… Not people supporting a family.

          • Kristen

            Some of them still like to be with their families, anyway..I don’t like the idea..maybe I’m old fashioned tho!

          • Kelly

            I used to work for target and to say working Black Friday is only for college students and not for people supporting a family is absolutely wrong. I was supporting my family as were many many many of my coworkers. Yes lots of college students work at target but so do many parents and other people supporting a family. It’s wrong to take that holiday away from anyone that celebrates it and then force us to work at 6 at night until 230 in the morning.

            • Diana (@bizn93)

              yup but most people have this thought that everyone can afford to go to college and get a better job than retail, and so they always say, “they dont like it, get another job” its the old “let em eat cake” argument ..dumb

    • Serena

      Costco and Menards are good for staying closed on Thanksgiving and respecting their workers and the holiday.

  7. Emily

    So many stores put their entire Black Friday ads on sale online earlier Thanksgiving week. Knowing what you want from each store makes it easy to look and see if it is part of that sale and order it if it is. One less place you have to go and you can focus on only the hottest items for the in-store deals. Plus, you can score extra cash back using Upromise, Ebates, etc.

    One year we were driving 12 hours to our family’s house and weren’t going to make it there before midnight. I had put the item I wanted from Best Buy in my cart and saved it. At midnight, the sale started and I made sure I wasn’t the one driving, pulled out my phone, logged in and bought it. It was fun!

    • nicolegammeter

      Way to go, Emily! πŸ™‚

  8. Julie McClure Sutton

    That video was great! I agree! I will be waiting for Cyber Monday and relaxing and getting those great deals in the comfort of my home. πŸ™‚

    Thanks for everything you and your team does Collin!!

    • nicolegammeter

      So glad to help, Julie! πŸ™‚

  9. Mariar

    Love the video Collin!

    • nicolegammeter

      Thanks! πŸ™‚

  10. Sara

    Love the pic. Are you going to add a Black Friday button on your menu of pull downs. That would be the best help

    • nicolegammeter

      Thanks, Sara! Yes, I’ll be adding one. πŸ™‚

  11. patricia

    I am planning on logging on for cyber monday this year but dont know what time to start?

  12. Steph

    You put MA to work. #12, #12, #12 definitely!

  13. Suba

    Great tips…u r awesome

    • nicolegammeter

      That’s so kind of you! πŸ™‚

  14. Sam

    How soon do the black Friday papers start coming out?

    • Tanique

      if you google, some are out very early! LOL

      • Sam

        Okay, great. Thanks!

      • Angela

        Check bfads.net and blackfriday.com

  15. Hilary

    #12 is the BEST one of all! With all of the amazing deals online, there is never a reason for me to venture out on Black Friday. Actually, I can honestly say that I have done almost all of my shopping online for a few years now. Thanks to you!!

    • Momof3

      Same here! I’m still in shock to see moms with infants and toddlers out there πŸ™

    • Susie

      Me too, actually last year the entire week of Thanksgiving had many rock bottom prices online, all snagged from the comfort of my home. My family still goes to the mall during the Christmas season, but more as a tradition instead of a serious shopping trip, and not when it’s zoo wild like on Black Friday.

    • Bobbi

      The problem with Cyber Monday is that I’m back at work that day, and I don’t usually have a lot of time to shop online while I’m at work. So I get what I can before and after work, and I always go out on Black Friday too. Call me crazy, but it puts me in the Christmas spirit to get out and shop with the masses. πŸ™‚

    • MARGOT

      Never a reason? We go to Home Depot for their $1 full size live poinsettia plants (limit 12) for instant holiday decor, AND they make great gifts. PLUS Home Depot has coffee and pastries for waiting in line before they open.

  16. Jana

    I agree #12 is the best!

  17. thefancybeach

    YAYY!! been waiting for something like this, thanks collin! <3

    • nicolegammeter

      You’re welcome! πŸ™‚

  18. gisela

    OMG collin u r great i love all ur work and love, to help us save not just for you but 4 everyone thank you God bless ur great family

    • nicolegammeter

      I appreciate your sweet comment. Thank you! πŸ™‚

  19. sun

    i absolutely agree with #12! I’ve noticed that in stores like jcpenney and kohls, the prices are even better online because you can use coupon codes that are not available in store. And the sales start as early as Wednesday night online, so you’re not worrying about things selling out. Last year, I was trying to apply a 15% coupon online which wasn’t working, so I called kohls customer service and they gave me an additional 25% off on an item that was already 60% off. I don’t know that I’ll ever go out shopping on Black Friday again.

  20. Emily

    I have been working black Friday in retail for a long time, and I can tell you, things are almost always cheaper now, up until the weekend before thanksgiving, and after the first week of December. Retailers use the black Friday hype to over price an item on sale, just to include it in an add. I worked in clothing, and the exact same coat, on sale for $25 bucks on black friday, would be $20 the week before. And even down to $15 the week before christmas! Just be careful getting caught up in the madness lol!!

  21. Chris

    As someone who has worked in retail for years, please please be pleasant to associates! A friendly smile and a thank you goes SO far. πŸ™‚

    • Cindy

      I always take candy and hand it out to those who have to work that day. I gave it to one of the people working in the aisles at ToysRUs and she started crying and gave me a hug! It is so much fun to suprise those who do have to work with a little pick me up! I also have a bag of mints I share with people in line.

  22. Judy Trac

    Can’t wait for BF this year

    • nicolegammeter

      πŸ˜€

  23. Rebecca

    I haven’t been to Black Friday since before my kids were born, so about 6 years ago. I have worked it before they were born too, both at CVS & Blockbuster (remember that place? Lol). The worst was working xmas at, once again, Blockbuster. But yes we got overtime. Although these days, with my husband deployed for the holiday season (and yes they’ll be working 12’s on all holidays, like normal days), it’s hard for me to have sympathy for those complaining about working Black Friday. Even though I probably did back when I worked them lol.

  24. dana

    What time does cyber Monday start?

  25. Denise Graff

    Where did you get that cute shirt? Your adorable

    • nicolegammeter

      I found it at a thrift store. πŸ™‚

  26. Alma

    Shopping cyber Monday sounds awesome only thing I’m worried about is how long shipping will take. We fly out of the country mid December and I’m afraid I won’t get my order on time. πŸ™

  27. Lucy

    Well considering I’m pregnant and my due date is Black Friday, I probably won’t be doing much shopping that day, lol. Even if I deliver early (doc doesn’t want me to go past due date), I’ll have no energy to shop at Walmart and deal with crowds. But Cyber Monday….watch out world!!!!!

    • nicolegammeter

      Congrats!! πŸ™‚

  28. Alma

    Anyone know if macys does good deals on mens watches? Worth waiting for Black Friday? My husband and I want to get his brother a diesel watch.

  29. Vishnu

    Can’t mention this enough times. Use price matching offered by credit cards. Buy hot door buster items at regular price, days ahead and have your credit card pay u the difference . This is what we did last year. Discover card does this upto 3 items, upto 500$ diff per item max.

    • Julia Logs

      Great idea! Can you share any additional info on this? What does Discover call it? I’m interested in doing this with Capital One. I wonder if they have the same thing.

  30. Marcy

    SO you can print your Wal Marts black friday map? Where do you go to do this? Does target have that too?

    • nicolegammeter

      Customer Service at your local store should be able to help. πŸ™‚

  31. Katie Zeugner

    Super cute!!!!!!

  32. Sarah

    Collin, you clearly got all of your adorableness from your Mama. She must be a lovable hoot!

  33. Kayla

    I would strongly suggest paying with cash as much as possible this Black Friday. My card was hacked last year from the Target data breach most likely from using my card on Black Friday. Maybe I’m a bit paranoid, but it took my bank a month to send me a new card and I don’t want to deal with that again this year!

  34. Lory

    Your videos make me smile. πŸ˜‚

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