Black Friday is here and I have the inside scoop on how to shop it. These Black Friday Tips are from my own personal experience. I have shopped Black Friday for a long time.
Each year on Thanksgiving Day my husband and I let the kids stay with the Gparents, and have a date night shopping. Since we celebrate Thanksgiving at lunch time we are all done by 3 or 4pm.
This year especially I have looked at sales year round and I have learned a few Black Friday tips and tricks along the way.
Here are a few tips that I hope will help you find the best deals this Black Friday and a list of places to shop.
It’s not only in store any more.
In the past few years, many retailers have opened up their sales on their websites for crowd free shopping. Yay! Also, many times they offer free shipping especially the week of Thanksgiving till Cyber Monday.
They will also have free shipping throughout December too, but this is different for each retailer.
Now there are some door busters that you can only get by going to the store but they sometimes even have these online in limited quantities as well. Unless it is something you really want or need then shop online. Now days, Black Friday deals are starting earlier than ever. You will begin to see sale happening as early as the first week of November.
I have noticed that some retailers are saving the best deals for Black Friday shoppers on Black Friday weekend. For instance, many stores are offering 40% off in the weeks before Black Friday weekend, but on that weekend they will be 50% off.
Key point: You can shop the (most) of the same deals online with free shipping.
TV deals are generally better in January.
Tv deals tend to be a hot seller each Black Friday, but did you know that they deals are even better in January? They are usually better TV’s as well.
You also can find good TV deals throughout the year on other sales, such as memorial day, independence day, and other similar sales.
Also, for appliances independence day is the day to shop for those or that week leading up to.
Deal or No Deal?
When I was younger I used to work at Best Buy. At the time Black Friday shopping was opening at midnight and re-opening early Friday morning.
From what I remember the tv deals were on older tv’s but don’t quote me on that.
Tip: You can shop many of those same B.F. deals on Amazon Prime day as well. At least the deals you will find on Amazon.
I have learned that you can find similar beauty deals at Marshalls and TJ Maxx I have found brands like Batiste, Living Proof, Big Sexy hair, and others at one of these places.
Each year I see Batiste dry shampoo go on sale at Ulta, but you can almost always find a large sized bottle at Marshalls for the same price. The same goes with other brands I mentioned.
I used to think ‘OMG, these are on sale for Black Friday so I need to buy them now to stock up.’ Little did I know this is not the case. This is the best of the black friday tips that I have to offer. Don’t think you have to buy everything, make a list and check it twice like Santa.
Stock up on the right beauty products
Each year I shop at Ulta and I check out Sephora, but I find that Ulta has better deals.
This is one of my favorite black friday tips: stock up but don’t go overboard. Remember: Some products expire after opening and even the shelf life expires. Buy what you need for the year.
Many of the makeup deals that I have gotten have been on Black Friday, BUT Ulta always has beauty deals through out the year too.
When shopping Ulta, I would try to score the full sized product deals. In the past, I have gotten the door busters but they were mini sized or travel size. The ones that are prestige brands and you only pay $10-12 before.
These make great stocking stuffers or if you want to try a product out but they are generally trial sized items. You could sign up for Sephora Play monthly subscription and get 5 samples at that price.
One year, I was planning on getting an Anastasia simmer something, but it was so tiny. I decided against it, I did however get a full sized Anastasia Glow kit for a great price last year & I still use it daily.
I have also gotten full sized IT cosmetic brushes for $10-12. Urban Decay eyeshadow primer for $15 or less, Tarte palettes, & more.
You can also shop their 21 days of beauty and 21 days of hair deals throughout the year too, so don’t feel like you have to buy everything now.
Did you know that certain Morphe palettes go for $15 at the beginning of November each year. I have gotten both on mine at this price each year.
Tip: Go for full sized products to get the best deal.
Hot Tools
I haven’t gotten hot tools in a long time, but I am overdue. I have noticed that Chi flat irons are ALWAYS on sale at this time. If that is what you looking for I would snag one now, but I have also seen them at Marshalls and TJ Maxx before, just FYI.
I feel like this is the best time to get these items as they don’t normally go on sale.
This Revlon One step dryer is on my list. You can find it from many retailers on sale right now. $38.
If you have a Costco membership you can find hot tools from T3 at great prices too throughout the year.
Most frequent hot sellers
These items are always on sale on Black Friday but also on Amazon Prime day too.
- Instant Pot
- Ring door bell
- Gaming Consoles
- Roomba and similar brands
- Amazon Fire Tablets
- Alexa devices
- Ninja blender products
- Small kitchen appliances, griddle, coffee makers, etc
- 23 and me DNA test
- Amazon TV (I can’t remember the name)
- Fujifilm Instax cameras
- Fitbit products
If you are in need of these, this is the time to stock up. I have gotten my ninja blender, no accessories for $50, a toaster for $10, Instant pot, Amazon fire tablets, and coffee maker on either Black Friday or Prime day in July.
Check out this Amazon Prime Post to compare
Black Friday Toy shopping
Toy shopping is a little more tricky for me. In the past I have gotten the door buster deals at Toys r us, but I have noticed my kids only played with them for a short while. We were then left with large toys, think train tables, little tikes football goals, etc that took up space in the house.
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This year we are getting smaller toys and buying most of them at Marshalls, TJ Maxx or Ross. The prices are better there and they overstock for the season.
If you are looking for the hottest new toys then your best bet would be shopping for them at Target or Walmart.
Target will have daily toy deals leading up to Christmas. If you have the app it will give you all the updates you need.
We are focusing on Legos this year and other smaller toys.
Places like JcPenney and Kohls mark up their toys and then put them on ‘Sale’ at this time. Kohls may be worthwhile if you are wanting Kohl’s cash. Last year we were able to get a nice JLB speaker there for a good price.
Random tip: If you live near an HEB Plus they also have good toy deals.
Black Friday Clothing Tips
50% off of everything is what you will generally see at this time. Don’t get overwhelmed and buy everything though, it’s tempting, I know.
What you may not realize is that many of these places have the same sales year round. Express, Abercrombie and Fitch, Francescas, American Eagle, Hanna Anderson, Old Navy, The Children’s Place, and several others have the same sale or 40% off throughout the year as well.
If you are looking for a new holiday outfit, getting a new coat, or want a new pair of dazzling shoes go for it, but don’t go bankrupt or in debt thinking this is the only time to buy clothing.
This year I bought myself this coat. I saw it in store, tried it on, and loved it, but it was $220 as good quality cost normally are. I waited for the 50% off sale it bought it at $110 plus tax.
You can always follow me on instagram as well for all of the deets on sales as well. @jennimetz
Check out this post: Express Try on Haul now 50% off
Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday
In my opinion, Black Friday sales are better, especially now that many of the same sales can be found online with free shipping as well.
I have noticed their are still sales but they are not as great as the one you will find now through Saturday.
Small Businesses
I love shopping small businesses and it is great that they offer 20-30% off of their products. If you are looking for unique gifts or cute clothing items that big retailers and everyone else is wearing, small businesses are the way to go. Plus you are helping support their families. Etsy is a great place to find great items, your local boutiques, anyone else that you may know who owns a small business.
Current Sales:
- Abercrombie and Fitch 50% off
- Express 50% off
- The Gap 50% off
- Old Navy 50% off
- Abercrombie Kids 40% off
- The Children’s Place 50-80%
- Hanna Anderson 40% off
- American Eagle and Aerie 40% off
- Nasty Gal 60-80% off everything extra 10% off Code: GOGOGO
- DSW 30% off Thanksgiving day 5-10pm store hours, midnight Wednesday online
- Target Black Friday Deals early access Red card Members
- Ulta Black Friday deals start online 4pm CT Thanksgiving.
- Victoria’s Secret early access for cardholders
Do you have any Black Friday Tips you would add to the list? Let me know below. Also let me know what places you like to shop for this time of year or any other feedback you have.
XO,
