2013: Black Friday and Cyber Monday Survival Tricks

November 26, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: iCLIPART

The mayhem is about to commence. During Thanksgiving week, stores are gearing up for deep discounts, crowds of customers, and money in their safes.

In preparing for the crunching numbers craze, I found these Black Friday and Cyber Monday survival tricks to make the best use of our time this shopping season.

Black Friday

Tips – Yes, take the store advertisement with you.
Store hours
Apps – Without a smart phone, I cannot confirm the usefulness of these apps. However, I trust the source from which these recommendations came.
Early online deals
Amazon deals

Cyber Monday

Tips – Consumer reviews are very valuable as I have been saved from a bad product many times by reading the reviews.
Start at Ebates or Shop at Home
Use Promotional Codes

Our 2012 Black Friday Experience

Though Black Friday is quite popular, our family has found Cyber Monday and on-line deals a better option. Last year, we missed a Black Friday deal for a 40-inch television priced at $250. We chose to spend time with our family rather than wait in long lines at the store.

Fast forward to a week before Christmas when Amazon put a better quality 40-inch television on sale, we snagged it at the $250 price. We received the television on Christmas Eve at our doorstep, and our television was one of our favorite deals of 2012.

As you scour the advertisements and find really great deals on items you or your family needs, know your bottom line. If the deal does not match your need or your budget, then let it go. There really will be other opportunities.

In using time wisely, use your knowledge and your Black Friday and Cyber Monday survival tips to maneuver through the deals to find the ones that best fit your needs. Happy hunting!

Question: For what item(s) are you searching this holiday season?

2013: Black Friday Store Hours

November 16, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: iCLIPART

Not sure what to call this season anymore as Black Friday has expanded to include a few days on either side of the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Some stores are calling their event the After Thanksgiving Sale, but their on-line sale starts before Thanksgiving. *Hmm.* Since I am unaware of a new term given to this event, I will stick to Black Friday.

If you are interested in this craze of great deals which will save you lots of money when you time it right, then plan what you want to purchase, check your timing, and hunt for your favorites. The lines to some stores begin weeks, days, and hours prior to these sales.

To plan accordingly, here are the Black Friday Store Hours arranged by the time the stores open their sales.

Thursday, November 28

6:00 a.m.

Kmart

5:00 p.m.

Toys R Us

6:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Old Navy

8:00 p.m.

Friday

5:00 a.m.

6:00 a.m.

Home Depot (normal business hours)

8:00 a.m.

If you head out, be careful. Yes, the deals are great, but fighting, pushing, and trampling is not a way to using time wisely. Most stores are organized making this a time of fun, and I wish you lots of savings as you venture out, stretch your dollars, and use your time wisely. Happy shopping!

Question: Will you head out to the stores for Black Friday deals?

Black Friday: Family Shopping Trip

November 25, 2011 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Mills Apartments)

Before Paul and I had children, we could be found waiting in line at Best Buy at about 3 a.m. on Black Friday morning. We enjoyed mapping out our plan of attack and working together to gather our savings. Though I still enjoy the deep discounts found on Black Friday, I find spending time with my family more valuable than shopping.

As you know, shopping is not one of my hobbies. I shop to feed and clothe my family. With that said, I really love the deals and steals found on Black Friday and now Cyber Monday. What I do not love is the move to choke out Thanksgiving to make room for another shopping day. Though the stores are opening earlier and offering scattered discounts, our family will not be standing in the lines, protecting each other from the rush, or staying up all night for that big deal.

Though the initial shopping is NOT for children, Black Friday shopping can be a great family activity at about 10:00 a.m. By that time, the rush is over, the big ticket items will be gone, and the checkout process calm. Two years ago, our family ventured out to Wal-mart with our list in hand. Though the store had been open for 5 hours, we found every item on our list. Of course, we were looking for toys, games, clothing, and household items. The trip was successful without the mayhem.

Though I do not recommend taking children to the rush, Black Friday can be a fun family shopping activity. If you venture out, I hope you find those deep savings while using time wisely with your family! Enjoy your weekend!

Question: How early did you venture out on Black Friday? Please add your answer to the comments.