Black Friday is almost here. For the uninitiated, the last Thursday in November (the day after American Thanksgiving) is the biggest shopping day of the year. For me, Black Friday involves three things: Comfy pants, leftovers, and online shopping! If you play your cards right, you can bag some of the best bargains of the year. Get it wrong, and you’ll bust your Holiday budget before the turkey is gone.
Like all things, preparation is key. We’ve created this handy guide to help you navigate the sales without getting sidetracked by stuff you don't want or need. Stay focused, make a plan and stick to our Black Friday Hacks to get the biggest bang for your buck.
Black Friday starts before Thanksgiving
Black Friday officially starts on the Friday after Thanksgiving, but retailers all over the world are pushing those sales out as early as October. The lesson here is that It’s never too early to start researching the things you plan to buy.
Give yourself a budget
Not technically a “hack,” but this is arguably the most important part of your Black Friday shopping plan. It’s very easy to get carried away with all the various deals on offer.
Make a list (and check it twice)
Make your shopping list and include all the people you intend to buy for to avoid last-minute purchases at full retail. This is essential! Once you know who you're buying for and what you want, the fun part begins!
Get the code
Check out the Big Box stores, Amazon, and all of your regular shopping sites, of course, but don't forget smaller boutiques and brands you may not have bought from before. They often offer a discount code to new customers. Don't hesitate to give them your email address or mobile number because the codes are often tied to your details. You can always unsubscribe later.
Be social
Brands often release early (or extra) discount codes to their followers on social media platforms. Subscribe to their email newsletters and follow them on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok to make sure you’re in the loop for their private sales.
Create an account ahead of time.
Online shopping sites can get busy and sometimes crash on Black Friday. To avoid losing your cart (and that big discount) make sure you've created a customer account on the sites you like. Some brands will honor the discount even if you miss their posted sales day, especially if you are a "known" customer!
Black Friday isn’t always the biggest sales day
We do get all worked up about Black Friday sales. Don't forget about Cyber Monday! The Monday after Black Friday is often a deeper discount than the Friday before. You do run the risk of your favorite items being sold out, though which is why our biggest hack is…
Create a subscription!
This is an especially good idea for replenishable items like shampoo, pet treats and your favorite cleaning products. Brands (like ours) offer the deepest discounts to loyal subscribers, and they get priority when inventory is running low. They get the absolute best pricing of the year without having to stress about the sales. It's one less thing you have to think about, and you know you’re getting the best deal, delivered right to your door.
Happy Hunting!
Xx, mlk
