Okay, so I put us on a crazy tight budget and realized I need to be more smart about the way I shop.
I'm starting with my approach to Christmas shopping... I actually have a list and an idea of what a good price is for the things on it, so this is a huge improvement for me over years past (sad; true).
Here's what I need to know... when do the actual Black Friday ads come out? Are they in the newspaper? Do I need a newspaper subscription to stay on top of what's happening in the world?
For those of you who are shopping savvy (and you know who you are, and I know who you are, LOL), pretend you're explaining how to get good deals to your 5 year old. Because sadly, I think that's about my level of knowledge at this point...
We aren't going BF crazy this year, but my usual game plan:
I search out all ads on bfads.net (the big ones are all there now. I prefer to go to the ad scan tab instead of looking at their listing).
On Thanksgiving, we swing by a gas station and I buy two papers.
I take the ads I want stuff from and cut out the pictures and info and tape them all onto one pice of paper. I put the hours of the sale at the top. I do this so I can have Travis help, and the helpless man just points at the picture to a sales associate to be pointed in the right direction.
We decide where we are going based on the sales. Last year, T got in line for Walmart at 3am and then hit up other stores after.
Avoid carts if you are waiting in line for opening at the first store you go to. Bring oversized grocery or Ikea type bags. Carts get bottle necked at the entrance. Unless you are getting a tv or something.
***Many MANY of the prices are going to be price matched on Amazon, or are available online that day from the same stores. You might do just as well paying attention to the crazy sales online. Between liking babycheapskate and a few others on facebook, I hear of all the big sales which are at or better than BF prices.
I think Corey put me onto the coupon site http://www.afullcup.com/
It has some helpful things on there including a coupon generator that often can tell you where you can find a coupon for something you are looking. Sometimes they are printable. Right now it has a link to get a $10 coupon for Hallmark. That might save you some money if you are looking for a pillow pet, wrapping paper, or teacher gifts (some people are getting a good sized yankee candle for about $5). Oh and when you print it out, try setting your printer on multiple copies so it will print more than one. To make it print again use your back button.
I think Corey put me onto the coupon site http://www.afullcup.com/
It has some helpful things on there including a coupon generator that often can tell you where you can find a coupon for something you are looking. Sometimes they are printable. Right now it has a link to get a $10 coupon for Hallmark. That might save you some money if you are looking for a pillow pet, wrapping paper, or teacher gifts (some people are getting a good sized yankee candle for about $5). Oh and when you print it out, try setting your printer on multiple copies so it will print more than one. To make it print again use your back button.
Do you have a list of must haves?
Bummer.
I just got home from Hallmark. I bought the Flying Friends ornament with Buzz and Woody.
yes, you should be able to see the ad exactly as it's going to be printed, which will include the door busters.
Too bad we can't go shopping together, but I don't think I would ever get out of the house without Nolan that time of day. Plus I'm sure we both want different things.
It's really a job to do BF shopping. TOtally worth it though for certain things.
I may just try my luck with BF shopping on Amazon this year. They have pretty good deals on there as well.
