Holiday Savings Series – Part 1: Black Friday Shopping Tips

Next week officially kicks off the holiday shopping season. To help our readers make the best decisions for their wallets, PFCU is drafting a three-part series on how to save when shopping this season. Our first focus will be on navigating Black Friday. When done right, Black Friday shopping can save money and time, but without the proper preparation, it can break the bank. Follow these Black Friday shopping tips before you head out Friday morning! 

Shopping Tips for Black Friday

Do your research

Doing research before Black Friday will give you the greatest chance of spending success. Make a list of items you intend to purchase and then check their prices online. In addition to the retailers you expect to visit on Black Friday, be sure to check online marketplaces like Amazon to make sure you’re getting the most accurate price point. When the clock hits midnight on Friday morning, you’ll know exactly what kind of deal you’re getting on the items you’ve listed.

Make a plan

As they say, those who fail to plan, plan to fail. The same notion applies to holiday shopping! The night before you hit the stores, prepare a game plan. Know exactly when you’ll arrive at the store, what items are a priority, and how long you intend to spend at each store. It’s also a good idea to hit the ATM before you head out. Paying with cash will lessen the chance of overspending. Check out PFCU’s website for a list of surcharge-free ATMs near you.  

Stay disciplined

Black Friday is the inaugural kickoff of the holiday shopping season, which means retailers are all competing for a consumer’s cash. It will be tempting to take advantage of every deal, which will surely put you over budget. Keep in mind that, while Black Friday is the start of shopping season, retailers will have sales leading up to Dec. 25. It will take discipline, but sticking to a designated list and budget will set you up for success for the rest of the season.

Additional Tips for the Holiday Season

Stay tuned for more holiday shopping tips from PFCU in the coming weeks. Next, we’ll touch on general holiday savings tips to help shoppers make smart financial decisions this season.

Erin Ellis
Accredited Financial Counselor ®
Philadelphia Federal Credit Union
eellis@PFCU.COM