The official start of Christmas shopping season is almost upon us! This Friday marks Black Friday, a day in which you can clean up with great deals at retailers of all kinds. From big box stores to smaller shops, you can find great bargains almost everywhere. However, it can be a stressful experience, both for your brain and for your pocketbook.
Before embarking on your holiday shopping journey, it’s important to make a plan so you don’t overspend, and to ensure you’re choosing the perfect gifts for your friends and family. Here are a few of our tips on how to have a successful Black Friday – and a positive shopping experience overall.
- Come prepared with research on the deals you like. You may read about a killer deal at a department store for a laptop at more than half the retail price. But there are important factors to consider before you get in line at 4am. What brand are they selling? How many are they keeping in stock? Do you have to get in line early for a redeem ticket? These questions, plus many more, are ones you’ll want to ask yourself before committing to a purchase, especially one that’s being hyped.
- Don’t buy something just because it’s on sale. You may see a deal for an 8-piece cookware set at a bargain price. While you may be tempted to snag this deal, consider whether you think it would make a good gift, or whether you’d use it. Don’t fall for good sales just for the sake of it – make sure it’s worth it.
- Create a personal spending limit. This is easily the most important item on this list. Before you go, take into account the money you have and your preferred spending limit. While shopping, use Polam’s mobile app to keep track of your transactions in real time so you don’t go over budget.
- Consider off-the-beaten-path shopping options that may not do Black Friday deals. There are a number of reasons to not buy into the Black Friday hype – long lines, overwhelming crowds, no guarantee that items will still be in stock. Stores like TJ Maxx also offer good sales all season long. Also, Cyber Monday after Thanksgiving is a fantastic way to shop, with online retailers providing countless deals on all sorts of items.