Top 10 Black Friday shopping tips to maximize savings

Black Friday is like the Olympics, World Cup, Super Bowl, and Tour de France of shopping — all rolled into a single, chaotic day. A day when aisles turn into racetracks, shopping carts become chariots, and every discount is a trophy waiting to be claimed. For some, it's the thrill of the chase, and for others, it's the sweet victory of snagging that elusive 70% off deal on the latest gadget. For our coupon knowledge team, it's our opportunity to support smart shoppers by providing the most reliable and accurate deals and tips on the web.

The best part about Black Friday in the internet age is that the high-performance athletes of online shopping don’t even need to leave their houses. Gone are the days of risking life and limb to be the first into a store at 4 AM.

Online shopping has changed the game, letting us hunt down those ridiculous deals in our pajamas, coffee in hand, with a cat (or two) on our lap. With online shopping becoming the new arena of Black Friday savings, a thoughtful strategy and advanced shopping tools are the way to get a competitive edge.

Here are ten ways to optimize your Black Friday for maximum savings:

1. Start early and do your research

There’s no question that trying to wake up on the morning of Black Friday without any prep work or research will leave you at a disadvantage, and probably a bit overwhelmed. That’s why it's a good idea to start planning early — like now!

Identify some of your favorite stores and items you’re hoping to buy on Black Friday. This step is crucial for narrowing the playing field and finding the best discounts. For these stores, make sure you follow them on social media and are subscribed to their newsletters. It’s likely they’ll start leaving hints about the items that will be on sale leading up to Black Friday. You’ll also want to look at the items you’re hoping to buy on Black Friday to understand what normal pricing is, and what you would consider a good discount.

You can take this research a step further by using our tool to analyze historical discounts for your favorite brands — and to get real-time, tried and tested discount codes on game day! Simply search your favorite stores in the search bar at the top of our site, then scroll down to the coupon data. Having a plan could be the difference between a 65” or 85” flatscreen TV from Samsung on Black Friday.

2. Prioritize your shopping list

Let’s face it, there’s going to be a lot of noise leading up to — and on — Black Friday. You’ll be surrounded by advertisements and marketing campaigns promising the best deals.

Starting with a clear, prioritized wishlist is a game-changer. Think of it as your Black Friday battle plan. List out the items you've been eyeing throughout the year, categorize them based on necessity, and then rank them. This method ensures that you target high-demand or limited-stock items first. This will significantly boost your chances of snagging them before they're gone. Having a prioritized shopping list can give you a clear vision during the Black Friday frenzy — allowing you to navigate the web with purpose and efficiency.

Pro tip: Bookmark sites and pages you want to visit.

3. Set a budget and stick to it

Black Friday, with its neverending deals, can definitely inspire some serious FOMO. The whole point of limited-time offers and one-day discounts is to make shoppers feel like they're missing out on an unbeatable deal. Even the most disciplined shopper can be led astray. This is why setting a clear, firm budget is essential. 

Start by deciding how much you're willing to spend overall. Then, allocate specific amounts to different categories or items on your wishlist. This not only helps in preventing overspending but will also help in evaluating whether a deal is truly worth the splurge. Having a firm budget will empower you to make more intentional choices, ensuring you get the most value without the regret of spending too much.

4. Get a browser extension for extra savings

The elite online shoppers all use a secret weapon: a discount code browser extension. While many e-commerce sites might display Black Friday deals on their product pages, there are often hidden discounts and promo codes that can be stacked for even greater savings. 

This is where tools like the SimplyCodes browser extension shine. Once installed, this extension works in the background as you shop, scouring the internet for the best applicable codes and automatically applying them at checkout. It’s like having a personal discount assistant, ensuring you never miss out on additional savings.

5. Read reviews

It's easy to be dazzled by a jaw-dropping discount, but it's important to remember that a low price isn't the only thing that determines value. Love them, leave them, or laugh at them, product reviews have become the trusted companions of savvy shoppers. Before clicking that 'Buy Now' button, take a few moments to scan through the reviews. They can reveal insights about product quality, durability, and other user experiences. Watch out for recurring issues or concerns mentioned by multiple buyers. Such patterns can be a huge red flag — especially when shopping on sites you’ve never used before.

6. Look out for early bird deals and flash sales

Black Friday isn’t just a day; it’s an event. Many online stores will try to use the hype to get a jump in sales. That’s why they offer early bird deals leading up to Black Friday or flash sales on the day of. Flash sales are deeply discounted offers available for a very limited timeframe. These sales can offer some of the day's best bargains but require a keen eye and quick reflexes. To capitalize on these, make sure you're subscribed to retailer newsletters or have notifications turned on. 

Beyond just alerts, it's a good practice to set aside specific times throughout the day to check on your favorite retailers. By being proactive, you can boost your chances of landing those exclusive deals.

7. Always double-check for deals and coupons before checking out

We've all been there — moments away from hitting the "purchase" button only to realize you haven't checked for additional coupons. Don’t miss out on extra savings, especially not on Black Friday. Before finalizing any purchase, it's crucial to do a last-minute check for coupons.

If you have the SimplyCodes app installed, the extension automatically scans the web for the best available coupons for the site you're shopping on. With a single click, you can apply the best discount available, ensuring you never miss out on a deal.

8. Don’t forget about cashback and loyalty points

Black Friday deals can be about so much more than just face value discounts you see. Another layer of savings comes from leveraging cashback offers and accumulated loyalty points.

Cashback offers usually reward shoppers with a percentage of their purchase amount returned to them. Many credit cards and specific online platforms offer these deals. Before making any purchase, it's wise to check if the store partners with any cashback program or if your credit card offers cashback for shopping.

Loyalty points, on the other hand, are points earned from previous purchases with a particular retailer. These points can often be redeemed for discounts or even free items. If you've been saving up loyalty points from a retailer, Black Friday might be the perfect time to cash them in.

If you’re using a rewards extension, you automatically get rewards!

9. Protect your personal information

With the rush of Black Friday sales, it's easy to forget the basics of online safety. As millions flock to online stores to grab deals, cybercriminals see it as an opportunity. Protecting your personal and financial information should be a top priority.

Here are a few quick tips:

• Shop on secure sites: Always look for "https" in the URL or a padlock symbol. This indicates that the website has SSL encryption, adding an extra layer of security to your data.

• Use a secure payment method: Credit cards or payment services like PayPal can offer additional protection against fraudulent charges.

• Beware of phishing emails: Black Friday is a popular time for scam emails offering "too good to be true" deals. Always double-check the sender's email and never click on suspicious links.

• Use strong, unique passwords: If you're creating accounts on new sites, ensure you're using a unique and strong password for each.

10. Avoid getting distracted

Black Friday's extraordinary array of deals can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the possibilities for savings are enormous. On the other, it's all too easy to stray from your shopping list. Don’t get lured into wallet-draining side quests by discounts on items you hadn't intended to buy.

This is where discipline and the earlier prioritized shopping list come into play. Before adding any item to your cart, ask yourself if it truly aligns with your needs or goals for Black Friday.

Additionally, consider the long-term value of each purchase. Will the item be useful or cherished for a long time, or will it end up gathering dust? Maintain your focus and ignore the noise — you’ve trained for this!

Let the Black Friday games begin!

Black Friday is not just a day of sales; it's a marathon of smart shopping, a test of strategy, and an exercise in patience. The endless deals and discounts can be enticing and disorienting, but if you approach your Black Friday shopping with a thoughtful strategy and battle-tested plan, there’s no doubt you’ll come out on top — and with a lot of cool new stuff. 

By researching in advance, crafting a clear shopping list, setting a firm budget, and utilizing the best tools and platforms you can transform what could be a chaotic shopping spree into a calculated hunt for the best deals. Good luck out there!