If you are looking for insider tips on the best prices and the best deals and that one place where you can camp out all night to get the best price on that latest piece of tech or amazing designer purse I have bad news. You need to keep searching the interwebz for an article that will help you with all that.
If, however, you want to have a good day, score a few deals, and not completely ruin your Thanksgiving holiday by acting like some sort of crazy person trying to beat everyone else for the best deals then you will fit right in here! This is kinda like a black friday shopping tips for the normal person who wants to remain normal…
I’m really not much of a shopper and I know that this prevents me from finding some of the best deals out there. But even so I have learned a lot over the last few years as we have developed a strategy for having a fun day while also finding excellent prices. Here is what I do:
Go to one shopping center
I live about 45 minutes away from an enormous outlet mall. Typically I really don’t think that outlet malls have much better prices than any other place, but on Black Friday they really do! We only take the time to go to this one location because we don’t want to spend the entire day shopping – just a few hours.
Pack some snacks
Or even your lunch. There’s nothing worse than being cranky because you are tired and your feet hurt and then having to stand in line at some fast food place for an hour. Taking a few minutes to bring some food along will probably make the day much more pleasant!
Go to your favorite stores first
If you have time (and the energy) afterwards you can visit all the other places. I always visit Ann Taylor and Loft first. I cannot afford their regular prices, most of their clothes fit me very well, and they are much better quality than most of the stores I normally shop. Pick the places that are most likely to have the items that will work for you.
Keep an open mind
There have been years where I have purchased almost my entire summer wardrobe on Black Friday because I was willing to buy off season clothing. Two years ago I got the cutest summer t-shirts for $4 at Loft! If I was set on buying only fall/winter clothing I would have missed out on some great things. Don’t go shopping looking only for specific items – just go and try to find whatever might work for now or in the future.
Have fun and don’t be in a rush
My mom and I have a really good time shopping on Black Friday. We enjoy being together, have fun watching people, and it’s just icing on the cake to get some new clothes at great prices. It’s also nice to be relaxed and not in a hurry to get to the next store or shopping center. No reason to be in a rush anyways since traffic is usually such a nightmare!
It is possible to have a great day and score some excellent deals – and still be nice to the people around you. I will let you know if I find any good deals this year and would love to hear if you find anything amazing!
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