How to Survive Black Friday Shopping

Does Black Friday shopping scare you? Do you have horror stories from the last time you went shopping?

All joking aside, Black Friday shopping can be intense. It can even get violent. But what if you could get the things you wanted without all the chaos? Let’s look at how to survive Black Friday shopping.

Compare Prices

One thing you’ll notice when looking through Black Friday ads is that a lot of the same items are available at different stores. You want to carefully look at the prices so that you’re getting the best deals. With that said. If you have one item that is a couple dollars cheaper somewhere else, but one store has everything else at a better price, pony up and pay the couple extra dollars. It’s worth your sanity to shop at as few stores as possible.

Shop Online

Except for doorbuster deals, you can find almost everything on the store’s website. This saves you time, eliminates stress, and you can shop in your jammies. Best of all, if you start searching for things before the sales officially start, you can sometimes find them. This allows you to beat out other shoppers.

I do all my Black Friday shopping online!  I dislike braving the crowds (and I don't want to leave my house to go shopping on Thanksgiving day).

Go with Friends

Shopping by yourself is no fun. No to mention that maneuvering your cart through some areas is almost impossible. One of you can stay with the cart, while the other goes into the more crowded areas to gather the items. You can also use the divide and conquer approach, if you like.

Pay Attention to Start Times

Black Friday sales start earlier and earlier. You no longer start shopping on Black Friday. Some stores have sales starting as early as Wednesday. Many stores are open on Thanksgiving, or open in the evening on Thanksgiving.

Buy What You Need

It can be easy to get caught up in the “great prices” and spend more than you meant to. Go through the sales and make a list. Then go back through your list and whittle it down to what you actually need to buy. This can save you so much money and leave you without regrets.

Get Plenty of Sleep

There are some hardcore shoppers that stay up for days shopping on Thanksgiving and Black Friday and even into the weekend. Don’t do this. Pay attention to the items you really want to pick up and see when the sale starts. Get plenty of sleep ahead of time and wake up refreshed.

Eat Quick Meals

If you’re going to be shopping for long periods, make sure to take breaks for a quick meal. Also make sure to eat something worthwhile, such as lean protein or a protein bar. You want to keep those energy levels up.

Black Friday shopping can be a nightmare. However, with these tips, it can be a bit less stressful.