Inside: Black Friday is known for its huge sales and discounts, but is the chaos and stress of shopping really worth it? Learn about the pros and cons of this popular shopping day and how to make the most out of it.
Do you get up at 4 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving to go shopping? Some stores even have sales the night of Thanksgiving. You can finish dinner and go out shopping.
I am more of the eat until I'm stuffed and I will be snuggled in my nice warm bed the morning after Thanksgiving. I haven't actually left the house to go Black Friday shopping in years. But is Black Friday shopping really worth it? Maybe.
Pros Of Black Friday Shopping
There are a few pros to shopping on Black Friday. First of all if you are shopping in the stores some people just love the hustle and bustle of Black Friday. Plus, in store shopping gets you out and moving. After a big Thanksgiving meal I can always use a little extra walking.
Advantages of Black Friday Shopping:
- Get a head start on holiday shopping
- Extended store hours
- You can get some good deals on doorbusters
- Exclusive deals
Cons Of Black Friday Shopping
There are plenty of cons to shopping Black Friday sales too. I think one of the biggest is that you may be tempted to buy something that you really hadn't planned on buying.
- Waste of time with long lines
- Impulse buying is easier
- Discounts may not be that great
- Stores are busy and people are moody
Create A Budget
Creating a budget is an important part of Black Friday shopping. It isn't a great deal if you can't afford it. Talk with your spouse and come up with a shopping budget that works for the both of you.
If you are buying Christmas presents as part of Black Friday you can make a budget for each person and keep track of what you are buying. I use my Christmas planner for this.
Make A Shopping List
I prefer to make a shopping list in addition to making a budget. This helps me remember what I plan on buying and helps me avoid those impulse buys. It's so easy to get sucked into the excitement of the sales and buy things you really don't need. A shopping list will help keep you on track.
Research Deals Beforehand
Take some time to research the deals before you go. I always enjoy picking up a paper on Thanksgiving day and looking at all the doorbusters. You can get an idea of what you want to buy and what is the best deal out there. You don't want to overpay for something.
Shop Online
Don't forget about online shopping. It's pretty much the only way that I do my Black Friday shopping. I don't care for crowded stores so I just look for deals on Amazon and other online retailers.
I have found that most places have deals that start long before Black Friday and go through Cyber Monday.
Shopping online can give you time to sleep in, lets you check out the deals at multiple stores, and avoid the crowds.
Impulse Buying-Is it on your list?
Years ago, I woke up around 3:30 and went out to do some Black Friday shopping. I had dreams of doing all of our Christmas shopping for much less than I had planned. But, as I went store to store I found out that what I wanted wasn't what was on sale. I went home so disappointed.
I realized that Black Friday deals aren't deals if they aren't on your list. Don't be pressured into buying something just because it is a good deal. Most of the deals I see for Black Friday are electronic deals. If you don't see what is on your list in the ads, it probably isn't worth going to the store.
Time Is Worth Something Too
How much time will it take to do the shopping versus how much you are saving? If you are getting that $20 toy for $10 is it really worth 2-3 hours of your time? You may be better off paying a few dollars more and buying it when the stores aren't so crazy. Plus, as it gets closer to Christmas you may see some better deals.
Can You Stay Home and Buy Online?
So many of the store-advertised deals are now available online. You don't have to go out into the cold or get up early in the morning to get the deals. We love watching the Amazon deals that they have around Thanksgiving. You can also check places like Retail Me Not for extra coupon codes to order online. You don't have to be fighting the crowds at the store to get a great deal.
If there are a multiple items on your list that are a great deal it may be worth your time to go out Black Friday shopping. But, don't plan your shopping around the Black Friday deals.
For the last 13 years I have skipped the Black Friday craziness and stayed at home. I have found that going out to the stores just isn't worth it for me. I have still managed to get plenty of great deals online, coupon codes, Amazon, and Cyber Monday deals. You can easily have your Turkey and shop, too.
What about you? Will you be out Black Friday shopping or sleeping in?
Laura says
Now that Black Friday actually starts on Thursday Night, you can score all the deals online instead of going out. We still went out at 6 am on Friday morning, but the stores were EMPTY. All the doorbusters (which I never want anyway) had finished and most people bought what they wanted earlier and online, so the brick and mortar stores were still pretty stocked and there were ZERO lines!
Julie says
Great idea! Thanks for the tip.
Janeen says
You're speaking' my language, Julie! I've not joined the Black Friday mobs in the past decade. Instead I usually get up a little early and surf around in my PJs. Usually I find a deal or two (not as much for Black Friday morning as I expect) and I'm not tempted to make impulse purchases. I think we'll see Black Friday changing a whole lot in the next 10 years. Thanks for adding a sane voice to this crazy marketing extravaganza!
Kristen @ Joyfully Thriving says
I stay home, too! I'm not a big shopper and the crowds drive me crazy. Now, I DO shop for deals the day after Christmas...but the crowds aren't a hassle then.
Julie says
I agree! I love going out around 8 am the day after Christmas. There are so many great deals. I pick out our wrapping paper for next year and stock up on perfume and cologne sets.
Helene says
I am going to be Cyber Monday shopping too!
Julie says
It's so much easier isn't it?
Charlee @ Humble in a Heartbeat says
I have never done Black Friday Shopping, and for all those reasons! I also would add that sometimes Black Friday deals really aren't as great as those you can get other times of the year. I think because the stores and media make such a big deal out of it that people believe they are getting the best deals.
Julie says
I completely agree!
Jayleen says
Oh how I LOVE Black Friday shopping! Now that stores are open at all different hours, we make a plan and are super strategic. Because of Black Friday shopping, we have been able to get great gifts for the kids. For the hubby and I, it's a fun tradition. I totally agree though, only go if there is something in the ads you are looking for.
Julie says
That's awesome that you have a fun tradition. I know a couple people who make a whole day of. If you get a sitter it's kind of like a whole date day.
Sarah@TheOrthodoxMama says
I have never gone shopping on Black Friday. We always have family staying with us from out of state, so it never seemed worth it to spend our limited time together waiting in lines. We try to go do something fun together as a family--hiking, visiting a museum, or just playing games and watching a movie.
Julie says
I love those ideas! We are often in D.C. for the holidays and I am amazed at how empty the museums seem on Black Friday.
Nikki @ MBAsahm says
I totally agree! Not only is your time worth something, but think about gas and everything else involved...I know whenever I would take my son shopping at the mall with me, he would inevitably want a pretzel that cost $3 and then I would often want a coffee that cost $4 and it goes from there. There are so many great deals online now, my new goal is to try and do all of my shopping off the internet! <3
Julie says
I agree, plus I have noticed impulse buying is less when I shop off the internet