Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the biggest shopping days of the year, signalling the kickoff of the holiday shopping season. Both days are synonymous with special sales and offers aimed at encouraging purchases. But how do you sift through the deluge of discounts and promotions to find the genuinely great deals? Here are some tips to help get you oriented.

Preparation is Key

Getting ready for Black Friday and Cyber Monday ahead of time is crucial for shopping success. Some ways you can get prepared include:

• Make a list: Start your plan of attack by creating a wish list of the items you are looking for.
• Budget: Allocate a strict budget for your spending splurge. Remember, a ‘great deal’ that you can’t afford is not a great deal.
• Research: Scour the web for prices on products you are interested in across different platforms to get a ballpark figure. Knowing the average price will help you spot a genuine steal when you see one.
• Keep tabs on your favourite brands: Follow your favourite brands on social media and subscribe to newsletters to be the first in line for exclusive discounts and secret sales.

Shopping-Day Strategies

When the two big days finally arrive, here are some more tips you can use as you race to secure the best deals on the items you want:

• Decide whether to shop in-store or online: Understandably, not everyone is thrilled about elbowing through crowds. Online shopping is your ticket to snagging deals while nestled on your couch. But occasionally, some in-store exclusive deals might just be worth lacing your boots for.
• Prioritize doorbusters: These are likely the best deals you are going to find, and they are often in limited stock. Target them first and be ready to click ‘buy’ as soon as they go live.
• Take advantage of price comparison tools: There are many apps and browser extensions—like Honey and Slickdeals—that compare prices across various platforms to ensure you’re landing the best deal.
• Check for coupon codes: You can also use these same tools and others to find additional promo codes that might just snag you an extra discount on that already-reduced price.

Additional Tips

Keep these tips in mind to help save you money even after your shopping spree:

• Don’t chase every deal: Remember, more shopping days will come, and there’s always another sale around the corner. Once you have what you were looking for, consider it a win and try to ignore other deals.
• Check return policies: Don’t get stuck with a dud. Be clear about return and exchange policies, particularly for online purchases.
• Keep receipts: If a price drops further, some retailers will refund the difference within a specific time frame.

Shopping sprees like Black Friday and Cyber Monday can be both exhilarating and stressful, but you can ensure a fun and successful shopping spree by implementing some of the tips above. So, gear up, strategize, and get ready to save!