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Black Friday Shopping Hacks: Insider Secrets

The Ultimate Black Friday Shopping Hacks

Are you ready to dive into the biggest shopping event of the year? Black Friday is just around the corner, and The Creative Alternative staff is here to give you the lowdown on what you need to know to make the most of this shopping extravaganza. We will go over everything you need to know. And will keep it short as time is wasting, shopping must be done!

Where Did Black Friday Originate?

The term “Black Friday” was first used in the 1950s in Philadelphia to describe the chaos and congestion that occurred on the day after Thanksgiving, when hordes of shoppers would flood into the city’s shopping districts. However, the concept of Black Friday as we know it today, with its deep discounts and doorbuster deals, is a more recent phenomenon.

Preparing for Black Friday

Before you start shopping, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Research, Research, Research!

  • Start researching products and prices well in advance to know what’s worth buying.
  • Look for product reviews, comparisons and price history.

Make a List and Check it Twice!

  • Prioritize your shopping list to ensure you get the most important items.
  • Consider setting price alerts for your desired products.

Know Your Budget!

  • Decide how much you’re willing to spend and stick to it.
  • Consider setting aside a specific amount for each item.

How to Spot a Genuine Deal

Not all Black Friday deals are created equal. Here are some tips to help you identify the real bargains: Streaming devices and TVs are huge seller at this time of year. Be sure your choice includes all the services you subscribe to.

Check Price Histories!

  • Use tools like CamelCamelCamel or Keepa to see how prices have fluctuated. We’ve used The Camel for years and trust its reliability.
  • Ensure the current price is lower than the historical average.

Compare Prices!

  • Research prices across multiple retailers.
  • Consider factors like shipping costs and return policies.

Look for Bundle Deals!

  • Many retailers offer discounts when buying multiple items together.
  • Ensure the bundle price is lower than buying individually.

Be Cautious of Low-Quality Products!

  • Be wary of extremely cheap options.
  • Check product reviews and ratings.
  • Watch for the HDR specs on TVs. You WANT HDR.

Top Black Friday Deals

Here are some of the most popular Black Friday deals:
  • Amazon Echo Dot: A compact smart speaker with Alexa voice assistant. Tip, ask Alexa to enable whisper mode. For us, this is a great exclusive feature so as to not wake others in the house. Plus, she sounds so sweet whispering.
  • Fire TV Stick: Stream your favorite shows and movies with this affordable streaming device. We’ve owned one of these for over 5 years now. It just keeps going. While using the TV’s built-in apps can be great for awhile… over time they slow down, and this little stick you just plug into a port directly behind the TV is just so snappy with it’s software. Plus you can press the microphone button and just ask for what you want it to do. For just over $20!!

Additional Tips

Take a Coffee Break!

  • Get yourself come coffee. To save money we use our own bags of coffee and an adapter with our Keurig. You get about 20 cups of coffee from a typical bag! That’s a savings of over $30 from buying the pods, or a savings of over $100 from going to Starbucks. Read up on our hacks for the Keurig to save you money.

Use Cashback Apps!

  • Earn rewards or cashback on your purchases. We use Swagbucks for most purchases. Use the app, or just the website on your laptop.

Check Return Policies!

  • Understand return and exchange policies before buying.

Avoid Impulse Buys!

  • Stick to your shopping list.
By following these tips and being mindful of the deals you’re chasing, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the chaos of Black Friday like a pro!
Happy shopping!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

Black Friday focuses on in-store shopping, while Cyber Monday is exclusively online.

Can I return items purchased during Black Friday?

Return policies vary by retailer; check before buying.

Can I get price matching during Black Friday?

Some retailers offer price matching, but policies may change during sales events. Be sure to check, but never assume a price match will happen. I’ve been caught with this many times. Just be sure you are good with the price paid.