With prices, interest, and inflation still riding high this year, it’s more important than ever to shop smart for the holidays. Black Friday is no time for window shopping and impulse buys. Instead, you need to prepare for where, when, and how to shop on Black Friday to stay on budget while filling up your gift sack.
Although experts aren’t sure whether Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) spending will rise or fall this year compared to the previous years, one thing is certain—American consumers will nevertheless spend billions of dollars over the biggest holiday sale week of the year.
So, how can you make the most of these sales? Take a look below at tips for creating your very own “Black Friday: What To Do” plan.
Whether you plan to brave the crowds or shop from home in your favorite slippers, knowing how to shop during Black Friday and Cyber Monday can save you time, stress, and money!
Before you start your holiday shopping, sit down and decide on a total budget for gifts, as well as costs for entertaining, travel, and decorations. Ultimately, you want to account for the whole shebang so that you aren’t shocked by your bank statements come January.
You can also keep your spending in check during the holiday season by:
Just as a grocery list keeps you on track when perusing the aisles of your local supermarket, a gift list can make sure you don’t get distracted or overwhelmed when holiday shopping for friends and family.
To create an optimal gift list that helps you stay on task (and on budget), consider:
RaiseRight pro-tip: To guarantee that you continue raising funds for your organization while indulging in the shopping frenzy, browse some of our holiday resources:
Check out the latest RaiseRight Holiday Gift Guide Shop popular holiday gift cards Don’t forget stocking stuffers Choose gift cards for stores family members love, and wrap them with a personal touch!
These days, many Black Friday sales begin right as you’re plating turkey and cranberries. In other words, some retailers offer savings starting on Thanksgiving Thursday (or even earlier) rather than Black Friday.
While this means you can get ahead on your shopping, are the early offers worth cutting into family (or nap) time? Do you have to choose between one or the other?
If you’re a diehard Black Friday shopper ready to camp out in front of locked doors all night, consider making it a family event! Or, see if your favorite retailer is offering BFCM deals online on Thanksgiving day, and host a post-dinner “shop sesh” with the fam.
By planning your strategy ahead of time, you can start your shopping early and make the most of Black Friday deals while still getting in time with your loved ones.
Let’s face it—none of us escape smart marketing ploys. The best you can do is to prepare yourself with some knowledge and tips to make sure you see through the sales pitch to judge a purchase objectively.
Start with these facts:
So, the next time you see that free shipping offer, feel pressured to get all your shopping done during BFCM, or go down an online rabbit hole, come back to your shopping plan and budget, and think objectively about whether it’s worth the cost, stress, or time.
In 2022, the average BFCM discount level peaked at 25% off the listed price on Cyber Monday. In fact, average overall BFCM discounts by category were:
In spite of toys hitting the top of the list, they’re actually a category that tends to be discounted even further come mid-December. So, when should you shop to get the best deals? Is BFCM worth it, or should you wait to check off your gift list?
For 2023, NerdWallet recommends buying:
For tools and home improvement items, it’s best to check price histories, or buy or give a RaiseRight gift card and recommend they wait for June sales!
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