TOP 12 Black Friday Shopping Tips

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Black Friday

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! Black Friday shopping tends to be most successful when you are prepared – so check out my Shopping Tips below IF you plan to brave the stores and all the craziness that comes with Black Friday shopping.

My top 12 Black Friday shopping tips:

(1) Be prepared. Before you head out to the store, check out the Black Friday ads 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). And don’t forget to keep yourself hydrated and fed. If you are planning to shop late at night or very early in the morning, research which restaurants will be open so you can plan to refuel!

(3) Know your store’s hours – some stores are opening on Thanksgiving night while others are waiting until the wee hours of Friday morning and some are even opting to stay closed on Black Friday! Stay tuned as I will be posting store-specific information in the coming days and weeks!

(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, grandmother,friend etc. 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 to other customers and store associates. You will be amazed at how people will help each other, even in the craziness, if they are approached with kindness. One Hip2Save reader always takes candy with her when she shops and hands it out to those who have to work on Black Friday.

Amazon Prime Never Asks Me to Put on Pants

(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! 😀


Head over here to check out Black Friday Ad scans, Deals, and Sale Previews.

Join The Discussion

Comments 67

  1. Bunny

    Love that you post pictures of your beloved Ma! May her sweet memory live on forever Collin! <3

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      <3

  2. Kat

    Number 6 is my mantra, always! So easy to get caught up in the moment and buy something we don’t need, just because the price s relatively low. I’ve learned from past mistakes. Still learning. Lol

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Yes. So true Kat. Thanks for sharing.

  3. 😍

    So when is cyber Monday normally?

    • Amy

      The Monday following Thanksgiving.

    • Dayna

      The Monday after Thanksgiving

  4. kim

    Nice photo and good tips 🙂 this is a tradition in our family and very happy I don’t have to get up at 2am anymore… just saying

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Sounds fun Kim!

  5. Dallas

    First year in about 5 years I will be skipping black Friday this year. Thanks in part to Hip2Save I about 80% done Christmas shopping!

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      That’s great Dallas! So happy to hear you are almost done with your Christmas list!

    • Michelle

      My 13 year old daughter was very scared that we would NOT be participating in Black Friday this year due to all the pre-holiday shopping I have done. However, my sister is visiting from Germany and has never done shopping quit like this…so we will be going all night for sure. My birthday is this month so I have so many b-day coupons I may shop this year completely free! Plus this is the one day of the year we go to “Steak and Shake” at some point in the middle of the night! I really truly look forward to the fun and all the craziness that Black Friday brings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      • Dayna

        I agree. This has become a yearly tradition for my mom and I. We have been doing it for 15 years and hope to continue for 15 more!

  6. danielle

    We take those big blue IKEA bags with us when we go. Nothings worse then having to carry everything in your hands because there are no carts. Those bags are so easy to sling over your shoulder and hold a bunch!

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Great tip Danielle!

  7. michelle

    Most of the Black Friday Ad scans on that link are from 2014. The ones from 2015 haven’t gone live yet except for Macy’s.

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Yes, hopefully they will be available soon!

    • Michelle C

      Try http://www.bfads.net they have several already plus enter their giveaways!

  8. Stacy

    OMG Collin you are too cute!! I love that picture of you in the hoodie! Hilarious 🙂

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Thanks Stacy! 😉

  9. llc

    If you plan on going to Wal-Mart, The black Friday items are never in the part of the store they are usually stocked in. I wasted 30 minutes last year finding this out. Get a map from an employee at the entrance. It shows were each item is kept for the event.

    • Shannon

      You can actually print out a map online a few days before for the Walmart you are going to instead of waiting to get it at the store

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Thanks for sharing! Good to know.

    • Melissa

      Although last year a few of the sale items were NOT where the map said! I spent 40 minutes with another lady (stranger) and several employees/managers trying to figure out where the disney infinity sets were at (when they were not where it was listed on map), only to find out they never got moved from their original spot! LOL

  10. Amy

    I love number 11! I may use the candy idea this year. I’ve had more experience with people being friendly and helpful than rude. By far!
    My mom, sisters, and I make this a huge fun shopping day. It’s one of my favorite days of the year just for that time with them. 🙂

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      That’s really sweet Amy. Thanks for sharing.

  11. Shannon

    #11 is so true!! My husband goes with me black friday shopping…one because he is tall he can reach things I cannot and 2 he is the only one I can get up to go with me! LOL But he was amazed the first year he went with me how people were happy to help. One year our daughter wanted a razor scooter and he just knew he wasnt going to be able to grab one before everyone else. The guy in front of him asked what color he wanted if he could get it, the sweet man was able to grab him one and slipped one back to my husband! I’m so grateful for the ones that love to help out and just enjoy the black friday rush not the ones who act crazy about it.

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      That’s awesome Shannon! Thanks for sharing your story 😉

  12. Cheryl

    Great tips! Also check online–sometimes the in-store deals are also offered online which saves you the waiting in line and some sleep.

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Yes! So true. Great tip Cheryl!

  13. cg

    My best tip. Bring a stroller as a cart!

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Great idea!

  14. Dee

    We don’t buy a lot of gifts but I love Black Friday deals to get things for our home. It’s a great time to stock up on new sheets, towels, dishes, appliances, etc. Macy’s in particular usually has fantastic deals on things like toasters, sandwich grills, etc and I’ve gotten some really nice pans there on a huge discount for Black Friday doorbusters!

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      I totally agree. Great time to find what you need for the house!

  15. Casey

    I enjoy Amazon online deals starting on Thanksgiving! Parade viewing and shopping before stuffing our faces is a tradition 🙂

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Sounds fun and Yummy 😀

  16. barbara

    The only things i absolutely want to get is a new 40-46inch tv and a mario 3d world wii u bundle for my whole family to enjoy! If enough is left after those it will be clothes and house stuff! So excited!

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Hope you are able to snag them at a great price Barbara!

  17. deanna

    Noticed that quite a few stores have their black friday sales going on the entire week of thanksgiving if you shop online. Last year, I just shopped online for the things I wanted from kohls and a few other stores and got some “hot ticket” items without having to deal with crowds, low stock in stores or waiting in line 🙂 AND did it all right before thanksgiving! Loved it. Check to see if your favorite store is doing something like that this year :).

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Thanks for sharing Deanna!

  18. Caran

    Ma!!

  19. Teri

    I thought Black Friday was dead this year. I am seeing amazing deals on Amazon all ready. With even more to come. And the items that we really want….not junk versions of an item!!!!!

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Yay!

  20. Tara

    Heads up…Kohls had a great Veterans day sale and coupons last year, better deals than Black Friday on toys!

    • Linda

      Great that’s what I wondering I was there today eyeing a toy on sale but was hoping it would be better if I waited. We’ll see.

  21. Heather N

    The picture of you in the road… just died laughing.

    • Happymama

      Right? I heard the Rocky theme song, LOL

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      😉

  22. Nellie

    Collin,
    What is the name brand of blender for shakes that you like? It’s in the picture and it’s one that was given away for your birthday?

  23. thehenrydthoreau

    This will be an interesting holiday season. Reports state that retailers expect a bad season. We already see competition for our business (i.e. Best Buy and Amazon). I am 98% done due to the steep deals I’ve found year round. I want to see what retailers will do to woo people into their stores.

  24. Katie

    It will be fun to see how many hip2savers run into each other on black friday with their t-shirts! Looking forward to the pictures.

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      😀

  25. Lucy

    #12 for sure

  26. KC

    How do you get the hip2save shirts?

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      There is a picture with the link on the right hand side of the Hip2save website 😉 Hope that helps!

  27. Coke Code Fairy

    Coke Cap Code: F9TXPWPPRP6KPW
    Please mark as used if you use it!
    Thank you 😊

    • thehenrydthoreau

      Thanks for the code =)

  28. Jennifer

    Thanks but no thanks. With all the deals you give us throughout the year I will be sitting home on my couch in my jammies on Black Friday.

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      That is a good plan as well Jennifer 🙂

  29. Jessie

    I don’t go since the stores have all started opening on Thanksgiving day. Which means everyones Thanksgiving becomes about shopping and not about the holidays.
    The stores that still open on Friday like Costco seem not to have great big discounts.
    Thanks for posting the internet deals because that really seems like the best option

  30. Happymama

    Love the pic of you and Ma, Collin. Thank you for sharing:)

  31. Stacykay

    This may be the first year I’m not really waiting on Black Friday! Thanks to Targets Amazing toy deals this week!

  32. E

    We are in the process of buying our first house! Gonna need a washer & dryer so I’m hoping to find a great deal Black Friday or before:)

  33. Crystal

    Hey Collin,

    Thanks for all you do! I am wondering if you will put up a temporary “Black Friday” button at the top so it will make it easier to filter the site for black friday deals? For some reason I feel like I remember you having one in years past? If not, no worries!

  34. usafsam

    Sears is having a pre-BF Family & Friends sale this Sunday!! BF pricing with additional 20% off and extra points for the Shop your way rewards program

  35. Stephanie

    When we shop, my husband and I usually split up, one of us gets in line first thing while the other grabs the items (our list is usually short and specific for items that we know are best deals for black Fri only, save the rest of shopping for later). And we wait in the parking lot til the store opens instead of waiting in line, about 10 min the line enters, everyone has spread out and we have never had an issue getting what we came for.

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