Month: November 2024
Black Friday Hacks
Black Friday is the bargain-hunter’s dream, but it’s a game that’s gotta be played right. Follow these hacks to score big during the biggest shopping day of the year.
- Do your research
Many stores release Black Friday ads ahead of time. It allows you to preview upcoming deals and compare prices across different retailers to make a plan for your buying spree.
- Make a budget and stick to it
With all the tempting offers during Black Friday, it’s easy to overspend. That’s why it’s so important to set a budget before you start shopping. Decide how much you’re willing to spend overall and allocate amounts for specific items.
- Get following
If you aren’t already doing it, follow your favorite retailers on social media. Sign up for email and text alerts, too. You’ll be the first to know about their upcoming sales and deals. You may also want to join their loyalty programs for exclusive early access to Black Friday sales.
- Look for discount codes
Don’t settle for the marked-down Black Friday prices. Look for discounts that can bring the price down even further on sites like Vouchercodes and MyVoucherCodes. You’ll find discounts for designer retailers, restaurants and experience days.
- Use apps and websites for price comparisons
During Black Friday, it’s important to compare prices from different retailers to make sure you’re really getting the best deal. Lucky for you, there’s an app for that! Tools like Google Shopping, PriceGrabber and ShopSavvy let you scan barcodes or search for products to see how prices stack up at various stores.
- Check an item’s pricing history
Don’t just assume every price you encounter on Black Friday is actually being sold at a great discount. Check the price history of any product on price-checking websites like Keepa, Honey and CamelCamelCamel to see the item’s original price and whether it’s really being sold at a significant discount.
- Stack coupons
Some retailers let you combine multiple coupons or promotions on top of their Black Friday discounts, which can lead to steep savings.
- Focus on big-ticket items
Black Friday is often the best time to buy big-ticket items like electronics, appliances and furniture. Retailers tend to offer their biggest discounts on high-value products during this time, which means it’s your chance to save hundreds of dollars on a new TV, laptop or large kitchen appliance.
Use our hacks to be the Black Friday beast this year with the best bargains on the block!
How to Celebrate Thanksgiving on a Budget
Thanksgiving isn’t cheap! With the costs of food, decor and travel, there are so many expenses to cover. With a bit of planning, though, you can enjoy a festive holiday without breaking the bank. Here’s how to save on Thanksgiving costs this year.
Start your shopping early
Retailers start displaying Thanksgiving staples early, so if you start ahead of time, you can build up your supplies over weeks while spotting the best deal on everything. Plan your menu around these deals to save even more.
Stick to your list and budget
Before starting your prep, take the time to create a Thanksgiving shopping list and a budget for all your expenses. Without a budget, it’s easy to go overboard with your shopping. Be sure to include all Thanksgiving expenses in your budget.
Plan your travel wisely
If your Thanksgiving plans include traveling, follow these tips to keep costs low.
First, choose to fly on slower travel days. Flying the Monday before Thanksgiving will generally net you cheaper tickets than traveling on Tuesday or Wednesday. You’ll also want to book tickets at least six weeks ahead so you don’t end up paying a premium for last-minute plans. Finally, consider traveling lightly to avoid baggage fees.
Go potluck
Save on your Thanksgiving dinner costs by sharing the load and going potluck. Ask each of your guests to bring along one dish for a dinner that’s easier to prepare and lighter on the wallet. As a bonus, your dinner will have a lot more variety and will likely be more enjoyable as well.
Keep it simple
Thanksgiving is about spending time with the people who matter to you most and expressing gratitude for blessings in your life. Keep this in mind as you prepare for the holiday and resist the pressure to go overboard with food or décor. A simple meal served by a calm and present host can be more meaningful than an extravagant spread prepared by a cook who is frazzled and worn out.
Decorate on a budget
Instead of spending boatloads of money on store-bought décor, make your own with items you already have. Beautiful fall leaves, pinecones and branches can be used to create striking centerpieces and table settings. You can also repurpose things you already own, like Mason jars, candles and baskets.
Use these tips for a memorable Thanksgiving on a budget.