Tips for Black Friday Shopping

Key points:

• Online and in-person Black Friday sales often start well before Thanksgiving, so consider shopping early
• Use coupons
• Make a list, set a budget and research sales in advance
• Compare prices across retailers to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

Black Friday shopping can be a great time to save on everything on your list, from electronics to appliances, home goods and clothing. But the busiest shopping day of the year can also be hectic and challenging to navigate, so here are some helpful tips to help you make the most of your Black Friday shopping this season.

Know that sales start before Black Friday

These days, plenty of retailers kick off their Black Friday sales well before Thanksgiving. This is especially true for stores without brick-and-mortar locations. It also means you can tick items off your list early, often from the comfort of your own home. 

Have a list

No matter who you’re shopping for, having a straightforward, clear list can help keep your Black Friday stress under control.

If you’re shopping for yourself, consider listing which items you want to purchase and what retailers sell them. If you’re shopping for others, try making a list with each person's name, the gift you want to purchase and likely stores.

Find coupons to save even more

Sometimes, the Black Friday price is the absolute lowest for an item, but some stores may offer additional discounts. You may be able to save even more with coupons. A browser extension like Citi Shop^SM can come in handy here – exclusively for eligible Citi® credit cardmembers, the Citi Shop browser extension automatically searches for offers and coupons at over 5,000 online merchants. If a coupon is found, it will be applied at checkout for instant savings. 

Have a budget…and stick to it

Creating a budget — and sticking to it when you shop — is another key to successful Black Friday shopping.

Consider both your overall budget and the individual breakdown by item. Think about where you’re more flexible – for example, you might be willing to pay a bit extra for a new dishwasher, but your television budget is firm. The same goes if you’re shopping by person – maybe you’re willing to splurge on your kids, but your budget for coworker gifts is set.

Compare prices

Black Friday can be hectic, with limited-time deals and tons of sales, and it’s easy to make impulse purchases when you think you’re getting a good price. To find out whether you’re really getting the lowest price, use store sites and apps to compare prices across retailers. You can also track prices on items you want during the lead-up to Black Friday.

Decide on online or in-person shopping

Black Friday has always been known for the crowds, as tons of shoppers turn out to get some of the lowest prices of the year. These days, shoppers can decide whether to shop online, in person or both.

If you have a plan for which stores to visit and don’t mind navigating densely packed crowds, in-person shopping can be a great option (and you might find exclusive in-store deals). On the other hand, online shopping can be an efficient option – you can get many of the same deals as in-store while avoiding crowds and travel time. Shopping online also means you can conveniently ship your purchases to your home or the recipient.

Of course, you can always mix and match to get the best of in-store and online. If you’ve done your research and planned carefully, this approach may help you save more.

Research sales in advance

Many retailers release information about their Black Friday sales in advance, making planning easier. This means you can make a detailed list of specific items, their prices and the stores where you’ll buy them. Knowing exactly what you want and where you’ll buy it can help save time and money.

Disclosure: This article is for general educational purposes. It is not intended to provide financial advice. It also is not intended to completely describe any Citi product or service. You should refer to the terms and conditions financial institutions provide for various products.