Black Friday wasn’t as popular here in Ireland up until about 2 years ago. Since it is now a tradition and a lot of Irish stores are joining in, I thought to share some tips and tricks for shopping the Black Friday deals or sales with you. These tips and tricks are also relevant to any other kinds of sale and for any other parts of the world too. The idea for buying or shopping the sale is to save money and buy good deals BUT it is possible to also waste money if care is not taken. To avoid such money wasting adventure, please read…….
What is Black Friday?
In simple words, Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving Day and the Friday before Cyber Monday in the United States. It is a busy shopping day and is a holiday in some states. Black Friday, which is the day after Thanksgiving Day, is a busy shopping day.
Mistakes To Avoid When Shopping the Black Friday Sale
The first thing to know about any kinds of sale is that stores and businesses (online and offline) is that businesses do sale to generate as much money as possible. In fact, research shows that most stores generate their highest profit during this time of the year; Black Friday, Thanksgiving, Cyber Monday and Christmas.
Stores are not doing you any favour for reducing the prices of their goods, they are reducing the prices of their good to get money off you and I. So let’s be reasonable in spending. If you like put it this way, “stores are not nice to you, they are nice to your credit cards” :). You get the drill right? Here’s another one; although stores have all these kinds of sale, they still make 100% profits; their cost of production of and every other thing is included in the price tags.
To Get the Best Out of Black Friday & Any Other Sale, try this…….
1, Know exactly how much you want to spend:
This gives you an idea of what you really want to spend. If you are paying with credit cards, this also make you mindful of how much you really should spend. Spending credit cards is easy, paying back is the not so interesting bit. So spend wisely so you don’t ruin your credit.
One of the most effective way not to spend more than you can actually afford is to not bring excess money to the shops. If you can, leave your “cards” at home if going to the shops. If shopping online, stick to your list, this bring me to my next point.
2, Know exactly what you want to buy:
Have in mind that not all items go on sale. In clothing for example, stores ensure to push all their past seasons clothes, shoes, bags and accessories to the sale rack. They do this because they are trying to MAKE ROOM FOR their new or newer collection by GETTING RID of their old or older collection. Although what you buy from this kinds of rack is new, you are not necessarily buying for the new season. Having said that, you will find some of the new season’s stuff in the sale.
So to ensure you are not buying what you do not need, make a list of what you need to buy on the sale. For example, “I need a new coat and a new boots”. When you go to the stores or online to shop, you know exactly what to look out for. This will save you time and money.
Looking around for a long time brings temptation and in most cases leads you to buy what you don’t need. What you don’t need are wants. In most cases, they end up gathering dust in your wardrobe. I bet you have an item you bought on sale but you do not necessarily need in your wardrobe or closet. Am I wrong?
3, Dress Comfortably:
If you are shopping the black Friday sale from the comfort of your home, you do not need this step. However if you are shopping in the stores, ensure to dress comfortably.
Dressing comfortably will enable you move freely and easily because on such days as the black Friday sale, every where is packed and people tend to rush like their lives depend on the sale. Example of what you could wear on Black Friday is what I like to call comfort chic. See some below……
4, Arrive on Time
Going to the shops on a day like black Friday is one thing, getting what you want is another so for you to be assured of getting what you are looking for, plan to arrive on time.
In stores, you will see some people pack more than they can buy. You will also see people buy more than they need but they plan to bring them back. You will also see people who are just holding on to things they do not need. Another set of people are the ones who just throw things around because they are not the ones who would tidy up the stuffs. And another set of people are the ones who would fight in the shops and police will have to come and remove them…….
On this day, you see all kinds of people. For you to be able to get what you want, arrive on time to avoid all the craziness and rush. This point here is the reason WHY it is important to take care of point 1 and 2 above.
5, Parking Spaces
Another factor to be mindful of is that on such days as the black Friday sale, you should put into consideration where to park your vehicle. If you can, I would highly recommend going on public transport because finding parking on a day like this could be challenging. If parking where you are going is generous, then you need not to worry about this step. There is no point arriving early only to be stuck in the parking lot for hours trying to find a parking space.
For online Shoppers: when shopping online, someone else may have what you want / need in their online shopping basket. For you to be able to get that thing, you could try refreshing your browser a couple of times to see if the things are back on the listed sale item. Also note that shopping online for this kind of sale could be highly disappointing because you may not get all you want, just have that at the back of your mind.
Advantages of a Sale Like Black Friday
1, It is an opportunity to do your Christmas shopping
2, It is an opportunity to buy what you really need
3, It is an opportunity to shop for your friends and family etc
4, It is an opportunity to catch up with friends at the mall (this is just by the way)
Some Helpful Discount Codes for Black Friday!
For Topshop UK: Get up to 50% off everything. Free international delivery. T&C: Ends 27/11
For RiverIsland Uk: Get up to 40% off a selected range
For Forever 21 Uk: Get 40% off shoes and accessories. Free deliveries on orders over £50
For BooHoo Uk: Get 30% everything. Use Code: GOGOGO
For Chic Wish Uk: Get Extra 15% on orders over £60. Use Code: BLK15. Ends: 24/11
For Misguided Uk: Dresses from £8. £50p click and collect.
For Nordstrom UK: 40% Designer Clearance
For Shop bop UK: Use Code: MORE17 for Up to 75% off sales items and Up to 30% off full price items
For Matches Fashion UK: get up to 70% of sales items
Those are some of my spend wisely TIPS for the Black Friday Sale and any other sale really. Be careful not to waste money on things you do not need. I will be looking for specific things for the boys on this sale. Wish me luck
I want to thank you so much for stopping by today. I hope you find the TIPS helpful. Have fun shopping wisely.
Much Love, Mojisola.
To buy my book, this black Friday, check HERE.
My Book, Use What You Have will help you discover your gifts, own them, embrace them, develop them, maximise them and take them from latent potential to fulfilled purpose.
7 comments
This is a very helpful post Moj. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers.
Thank you reading Chi. I love sharing.
Cheers.
X
I love that blue dress!
I, for one, will be staying away from the Black Friday sales – I’ll save my shopping for a calmer day!
Thank you Sarah.
That is a good idea
XO
I am loving Black Friday sales. So many deals around..
Thank you Stella. I agree.
Do take care.
I did my Black Friday shopping with my sister-in-law! What fun that day can be when, as you say, you’re prepared…thanks for the advice Mojisola