I admit, when it comes to holiday shopping I’m a complete and total slacker. More often than not I’m filling my Amazon cart with everything I can think of to get the free two day shipping and emailing Christmas lists to the family at the 11th hour.
For some reason, this year feels more rushed than years past (am I the only one who feels like Christmas comes earlier and earlier?) Every time I see a Facebook post that says, “X Mondays till Christmas” I just want to run and hibernate until spring. In any case, I’m on a mission this year to shop smarter and not wear myself out. With the rushed days ahead it goes without saying that we could all use some tips to make navigating the malls and stores a bit easier.
1. Devise a strategy. Just like an army going into battle, Black Friday shopping requires a certain kind of game plan. Gather your shopping posse and decide which stores you’ll shop first (this is especially important when going after big ticket items or the latest toy craze). It can be hard to hit all the stores on your own so don’t be afraid to divide and conquer if needed!
2. Leave your handbag at home. You need to move quickly in and out of stores – handbags can be big and bulky. They’re also magnets for thieves. Instead of your Coach bag, strap on a backpack or soldier up a cross body bag. They’re lighter and you can wear them on your person; deterring thieves and scammers.
3. Pack only the essentials in your backpack. Avoid eating out and spending your shopping budget by bringing snacks from home and a bottle of water or thermos of coffee. Don’t forget the hand sanitizer and wet wipes for shopping carts. Now is not the time to go down with the flu!
4. Utilize technology. Shopping apps like Target’s cartwheel hooks you up to the latest sales and coupons. While Wal-Mart’s Savings Catcher and Redlaser let you compare prices. If you’re shopping at SouthPark Mall, you’ll never lose your car with their in app feature that helps you remember where you parked.
Other apps like Evernote allow you to make your shopping list, notes, and save web pages to be viewed later and seamlessly sync’s from their web version to their smartphone app.
Last but not least, remember your comfortable shoes and bring plenty of patience. Black Friday shopping may not be for everyone but it can definitely be a (good) memorable experience if you’re prepared.
What are your Black Friday survival tips?
Image via Okyo
