We’ve all seen the madness that is Black Friday – insane crowds, angry shoppers, torn clothes … the list goes on and on. To make your shopping experience less of a headache, it’s best to stick to a plan.
LearnVest founder and financial guru Alexa von Tobel knows a thing or two about finding the best deals.
Equipped with the latest research and trends, she offers tips on how to score the very best deals. The secret: it’s all about knowing exactly what you need and when to get it at the lowest price.
ON THANKSGIVING DAY…
Should you really be shopping on Thanksgiving Day? Well, yes! (If you’re looking to score a sweet deal.) Alexa notes that the “Black Friday creep” grows every year and it’s best to buy discounted items a day ahead. She predicts that smartphones, tablets, speakers and headphones will be the best buys on Thanksgiving. However, she suggests doing online shopping so that you can stay home, avoid the crowds and spend more time enjoying the holiday.
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ON BLACK FRIDAY...
“Black Friday is your doorbuster sales. It’s when the stores will pretty much do anything to get you in there,” Alexa says. “The big-ticket items [include] televisions, laptops and appliances. Stores will actually lose money on them to get us to go.”
Alexa says if you absolutely need these items, it’s best to hit the stores. She explains that it’s also the best time to get kids toys, especially the in-demand items that will be flying off the shelves.
ON CYBER MONDAY...
Alexa says this is when you can stock up on smaller items like beauty products, shoes and clothing.
“I love Cyber Monday because you can do it from anywhere – your office, from the comfort of your own home, on your mobile phone,” she explains. “It’s inventory you don’t have to worry about because it’s online.”
Alexa also suggests shoppers look out for airline and hotel discounts as they plan for holiday travel.
One last tip: Alexa believes shoppers should always take advantage of comparison shopping.
“Whatever item you’re looking for and whatever store that’s close to you, figure out what the prices are and then do a comparison shop online,” she says. “If you can do it from the comfort of your own home, then that’s what you need to do.”
