How to Prepare for Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer some of the most incredible deals of the year, but it’s best to be prepared with a plan of action before these big sale days. Use these tips to make your shopping experience stress-free and productive.

Don’t Wait Until Black Friday to Decide What to Shop For

The first step to being prepared is to decide on what items you most want to purchase well in advance of the big shopping days. If you are shopping for things like home decor and curtains, look at colors and styles in advance so you have a good idea of what you want for your own home or to give as a gift. Compare different features of products, and be familiar with what their regular prices are so you can see how much you’re actually saving when Black Friday arrives. Make a solid list of the items you want, prioritizing them into "must-have," "would like," and "could do without."

Create a Budget in Advance

Even though your Black Friday and Cyber Monday steals can help you save big, if you don’t make a budget in advance, you may end up overspending. If you plan to use credit, set an affordable limit so you don’t overspend on deals just to pay for credit card interest. A budget will also help ensure that you purchase the most important things first.

Make a Plan of What Websites or Stores You Plan to Visit

Plan in advance the specific brick-and-mortar stores and websites you want to shop at. If you’re shopping in-store, be familiar with the store layout and location of items you want to buy in advance. If shopping online, browse the different websites you want to shop at to get familiar with their features. Also, be aware of what payment options are available. Many stores remember items if you place them in your cart, so if there is something specific you are after, place it in your cart in advance.

Don’t Wait Until Cyber Monday to Start Your Online Shopping

While Cyber Monday is hailed as the biggest day for Internet shopping, it may be wise to shop online even sooner. Many online retailers offer sales on Black Friday and throughout the weekend following Thanksgiving. You may get savings just as good as those Cyber Monday deals, and there will be more items available in stock if you start shopping sooner. Half Price Drapes will feature BOGO sales throughout the entire weekend, so it’s the perfect opportunity to get the new curtains you’ve been wanting!

Use Online Tools to Help You Shop Strategically

Utilize online tools to help you get the best savings and make smart shopping decisions. Ideas of tools that can be helpful for Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping include:

• Price comparison tools: These will help you see if there is a better price at a different store.
• Cash-back websites: These often have the latest coupon codes and typically give you back a percentage or dollar amount for each purchase you make by going through their websites.
• Price alerts: This is great for specific items you have your eye on. You can set up alerts so you’ll know right away if the price drops.
• Auto-refresh: An auto-refresh tool can help you see the latest deals when they go live on a store’s website.

Keep Track of Your Purchases

If you are planning on doing most of your holiday shopping online, it’s helpful to create a spreadsheet where you keep track of the item purchased, amount, who it’s for, and estimated arrival date. This will help you keep track of how much your spending, be aware of any missing packages, and keep you organized so you know what you’ll still need to buy after Cyber Monday.

Shop for More Than Holiday Gifts

While many people utilize these big sale days for holiday gifts, remember that it’s the perfect opportunity for things you need for your own home as well. Get items like curtains, tablecloths, and home decor to refresh your home before the holidays, or make big purchases on items in need of replacement, like appliances, electronics, bedsheets, or kitchenware.

Don’t Get Stressed out by Shopping

Avoid getting stressed by Black Friday or Cyber Monday shopping. If you are shopping in-store, get plenty of rest and eat a nutritious breakfast before heading out in those wee hours of the morning. Enlist a friend to shop with, and don’t forget to stop for a great cup of coffee. If you are shopping online, prepare a quiet, comfortable area where you can shop and track your purchases. Have water, some snacks, and a cup of tea or coffee ready when you begin your online shopping marathon. Don’t forget to take breaks to stretch or go for a short walk to give your eyes a break and your body a chance to move. If some places are sold out of items you want, just move on to your next item or online store and plan to check back later.

Look for Savings Beyond Black Friday and Cyber Monday

While Black Friday and Cyber Monday are great days to shop, there are still plenty of other ways to save, too. Many retailers offer lower than normal prices throughout the holiday shopping season, and you can almost always find coupons, flash sales, and special deals as the season progresses. There are also many online stores dedicated to offering low or discount prices to their customers every day, so they aren’t forced to wait until a big sale day to get a great price. Here at Half Price Drapes, we are committed to offering our customers the high quality they can count on paired with the lowest prices, so you can feel confident about buying curtains from us every day of the year.