Southern Belle in Training

Fashion, Travel & Lifestyle Blog || Est. 2012 || Virginia Beach, VA

November 19, 2015

Black Friday Shopping Tips.




      What is (in my humble opinion) one of the best holidays of the year is almost here... the Blackest of all Fridays, and -America's Day dedicated to Retail Therapy! I have been Black Friday shopping every year since I was in 8th grade, and it's an annual tradition that I don't plan to be stopping anytime soon! I have enjoyed partaking in this holiday in various states: Maine, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, and this year I'm very excited to be Black Friday shopping at one of my favorite malls in the country, and in a state that I've never done Black Friday before in! (Any guesses to where I'm headed?)


     With so many years of "experience" behind me, I thought that I would share some of my best Black Friday tips for all of you.


1. Have a game plan. It's very important to organize some sort of a plan of attack before Black Friday happens. Early November is a good time to start doing this! Having a plan doesn't mean that you need to have an agenda so strict that it has a long list with the order of what stores you're going to at what times, or what part of the mall you're planning to park at. Part of the fun of Black Friday is the craziness, which means to expect the unexpected!
But things that are smart to plan out are things like how much of a budget you're allowing yourself to spend on Black Friday, a couple stores that are "must-visits," making sure that you have any coupons or gift cards ready to go, and figuring out what time of day you want to leave for shopping at. Having the basics planned out will guarantee you less stress for certain when the big day rolls around!

2. Make a tentative shopping list. As I said above, the name of the game when it comes to Black Friday shopping is to expect the unexpected. What goes right along with this is making a shopping list, especially when it comes to big-ticket items like electronics. But since it's hard to predict crowds or shopping patterns each year for Black Friday, make sure that your shopping list is a tentative one (and be okay with that!). There have been many years when I've headed to the mall with a certain clothing item or accessory in mind, only to find that it's been sold out long before I got there. The good news is that usually I end up finding things that I liked even better than my wish-list items, or if not, there's always Cyber Monday!

3. Wear comfortable clothes. For a long day of shopping and walking, fashion isn't the name of the game. You're going to be out shopping for the hottest new fashions, but it doesn't mean that you need to be actually wearing them that day! I usually opt for an outfit that's semi-cute, but mostly comfortable, and easy to change in and out of in dressing rooms. Last year I wore an older and broken-in pair of riding boots, a t-shirt and cardigan, and jeans. Put-together but still casual!

4. Take your best shopping buddies! Black Friday is way more fun with friends! My favorite years of Black Friday have been the years that I've spent it with some of my best shopping buddies on-hand. Plus- you have people you trust right there with you if you need a second opinion on a fashion purchase or for advice about a holiday gift for someone!

5. STICK to your budget. While your shopping list and game plan for the day might have to be tentative, something that should not be is your budget. Stick to this! It can be easy to get caught up in the fun and festivities of the day and to over-spend. That can set you over your budget in other areas of your life, as well as pull away from other people's holiday gifts that you may still need to buy. Take a look at your finances before you head to the mall, and know your limit!
Each year, I try and spend as little as I can in the first few weeks of November so that I have more money to spend on Black Friday, since I know that I like to get a lot of things!



     Are you planning to go Black Friday shopping this year? Any big items that you're hoping to score?


     xoxo Miss ALK




   



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9 comments

  1. Sticking to my budget! That is something I have to work on. Hopefully, I will be able to pick up a few things. I am aiming high and hope to purchase my DSLR camera.
    Mikayla | A Seersucker State of Mind.

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  2. AHHHH I am so sad I am missing Black Friday shopping this year! Buy lots of stuff in my honor :P


    -Morgan
    How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com

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  3. It's so important to have a plan beforehand for Black Friday as it can get super hectic! Awesome tips :)

    www.lincolnparksharp.com

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  4. I don't even go Black Friday shopping anymore! There's nothing that I really need and I find myself just wasting money, and since I'm trying to pay off my credit card that is a bad idea!

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  5. Nope not this year but I love that you have a game plan to survive Black Friday...my guess is Mall of America!! At least that is where I want to shop someday! :)

    Ursula

    www.blueridgebeautyblogger.com

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  6. I'm mostly going to be doing online shopping next weekend, as I work the entire Black Friday weekend (and Thanksgiving evening). So no in-store shopping for me. But I may stop at my local JCP Sephora at midnight on BL once my shift is over. Have fun shopping for me, as it is my favorite time to shop!!!

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  7. I have never been Black Friday shopping but I have always have wanted to! Have fun and good luck!

    xoxo,
    Katie
    chicincarolina.blogspot

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  8. This year I'm in Florida visiting family, so this year I didn't set my expectation too high for BF. If I do however find a Target, I'll have these helpful tips in mind! Thanks so much for sharing! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    www.ellysavenue.blogspot.com

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  9. This year I'm in Florida visiting family, so this year I didn't set my expectation too high for BF. If I do however find a Target, I'll have these helpful tips in mind! Thanks so much for sharing! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    www.ellysavenue.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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