I am not entirely a fan of Black Friday because of the crowds, but the deals are too good to pass up. I have gone Black Friday shopping before, but only for a couple small things because I had a coupon that would give it to me for free or for less than a dollar. This year is different for me though. This is the first year I went all out shopping on Black Friday, but not the way most people go all out on Black Friday. This year I spent exactly $37.14 out of pocket on about $1000 worth of merchandise, but I made more money in rewards back than I spent out of pocket.
Here is my process to prepare for Black Friday:
Step 1: On the day of Black Friday, look at the deals at stores you would like to buy from but are really hesitant to shell out the money. Keep the price range and discounts in mind so that you can plan for next Black Friday. Write them down if you have to.
- Yes, I know it sounds dumb, but it works. This is how I start planning my Black Friday shopping. This year I window shopped at Michael Kors and Kate Spade for designer handbags that I might buy next year.
Step 2: Get rebate apps and gift card apps if you don’t have them already. Start using them ASAP.
- This takes a lot of time, patience, and diligence, but it pays off in the end. I wouldn’t do anything that would waste my time.
- I will post an article or 2 on the apps available and how they can be redeemed. I will also include my code so that you can earn bonus rewards since I referred you.
Step 3: Fast forward 11 months later and it is now the beginning of November. Get early access to Black Friday ads. Some stores release their ads at the beginning of November while others release theirs on the Sunday prior to Black Friday.
- I suggest getting the Flipp app. The Flipp app includes the flyers for most grocery and department stores. During Black Friday, there is an entire section dedicated to Black Friday ads that is usually at the top of the list.
Step 4: Start strategizing what you plan on buying. Figure out what gift cards you earned and the amount of money you earned from rebates. Write everything down: the price of each item and the coupons, gift cards, and rebates you have available. Have an idea of how much you are going to spend by adding the prices, taking off the coupons, adding tax, and then the gift cards or rewards you will use.
- This helps you from impulse buying and keeps you on track.
- Pro Tip: If you can use coupons and want to really get the most of what you’re buying, you might have to separate the transaction into multiple transactions for one store. This is only a good idea if the coupon is mobile and you know it can be used multiple times and you can pull off using it more than once.
Step 5: Shop, shop, shop. Go early because some items go quickly even if you don’t think it would. But remember you are also at Step 1 for next year. Keep your eyes open for deals that you might consider and plan for next year.
You can stop reading at this point if you want. Below is my Black Friday Shopping trip broken down.
These are all the rewards, coupons, and gift cards I had available:
Amazon
- 3% cash back on Amazon purchases when using Amazon Rewards credit card
- Rebate apps- Ibotta, Checkout51, SavingStar, Ebates, Coupons.com app, Dosh, Receipt Hog (I will post about these apps in another article)
- Free 3-Wick Candle with Any Purchase Coupon
- Additional 20% off Coupon
- $10 off $10 or more Coupon
- Additional 15% off Coupon
- 3 $15 rewards (Total $45)
- Free Panty with Any Purchase Coupon
- 5x Points for Every Dollar Spent when using VS Credit Card
- $3.50 off $15 Mobile Coupon
- $135 in gift cards from Fetch and Shopkick apps (I will post about these apps in another article)
This is how I broke down my trip for each store, which I didn’t derail from. You can model how you write yours after mine if you need a guideline. The breakdown of my trip and how I got everything pretty much free:
Electronics
Amazon
- Nintendo Switch w/Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle (Reg. $359.99+Tax)- Sale $299.99
Tax (Washington- 10%)- $30
Total: $329.99
Used Rebates: $329.99
Owe: $0
Regular Price/Saved: $395.99
Rewards: $9.90
Home and Other
Bath and Body Works
- Black Cherry Merlot 3-Wick Candle (Reg. $24.50)- $24.50
- Peach Bellini Mini Hand Sanitizer (Reg. $1.75)- $1.75
Total (Before Tax): $26.25
Used Free Candle Coupon: $1.75
Used 20% Off Coupon: $1.40
Tax: $0.14
Total/Owe: $1.54
Regular Price: $28.88
Saved: $27.34
Kohl’s
- The Big One Super Soft Throw (Reg. $39.99+Tax)- Sale $8.99
- Women’s Gloves (Reg. $6+Tax)- Sale $1.99
Total (Before Tax): $10.98
Used $10 off Coupon: $.98
Used 15% off Coupon: $0.83
Tax: $0.16
Total/Owe: $0.91
Regular Price: $50.59
Saved: $49.68
Clothing
Victoria’s Secret
- Fleece Lined Leggings (Reg. 66.95+Tax)- Sale $20
- Fleece Lined Leggings (Reg. 66.95+Tax)- Sale $20
- Sherpa Hoodie (Reg. $79.95+Tax)- Sale $35
- Panty (Reg. $10.50+Tax)- $10.50
Used Free Panty Coupon: $75
Used 3 $15 rewards: $30
Tax: $3
Total/Owe: $33
Regular Price: $246.79
Saved: $213.79
Rewards: $20 off $50 and 165 points (Passes threshold for additional $15 reward)
Cosmetics
Ulta
Transaction 1 (This was done a week early because it worked out better points-wise and with deals. The deal was Buy One Get One 50% Off and 2x points along with 200 Bonus Points with a $24 Ulta Brand Purchase.)
- Ulta Brand Highlighter: Illuminator Pink Diamond (Reg $10+Tax)- $10
- Ulta Brand Brown Powder Duo Auburn (Reg $10+Tax)- $5
- Ulta Brand Risk Taker Single Eyeshadow (Reg $8.50+Tax)- $8.50
- Ulta Brand Raspberry Beret Luxe Lipstick (Reg $8.50+Tax)- $4.25
Used $3.50 off Coupon: $24.25
Tax: $2.47
Total: $26.69
Used Gift Card from Fetch ($25): $1.69
Owe: $1.69
Regular Price: $40.70
Saved: $39.01
Rewards: 24 base points and 224 bonus points (New total points = 368 points)
Transaction 2- Hot Tools Rainbow Gold 1” Iron (Reg $64.99+Tax)- $32.49
Tax: $2.90
Total: $31.89
Used Gift Card 1 from Shopkick ($25): $6.89
Used Gift Card 2 from Shopkick ($25): $0 (Remaining Balance: $18.11)
Regular Price/Saved: $71.49
Rewards: 28 points (New total points = 396 points)
Transaction 3
- Beauty Gems (101 Piece) Master Glam Kit (Reg. $12.99)- Sale $6.49 (50% off)
- Beauty Gems (52 Piece) Flawless Face Kit (Reg. $9.99)- Sale $4.99 (50% off)
- Ulta Holiday Collection Body Wash Pomegranate Prosecco (Reg. $9.50)- Sale $5
Used $3.50 off Coupon: $12.98
Tax: $1.29
Total: $14.27
Used Gift Card 2 from Shopkick ($18.11): $0 (Remaining Balance: $3.84)
Regular Price/Saved: $35.73
Rewards: 12 points (New total points = 408 points)
Transaction 4
- Cozy Holiday Coffee Mug Set (Reg. $15)- $15 (Buy One Get One Free)
- Cozy Holiday Coffee Mug Set (Reg. $15)- $0 (Buy One Get One Free)
Tax: $1.50
Total: $16.50 (I forgot a coupon this time, but that’s ok)
Used Gift Card 2 from Shopkick ($3.84): $12.66
Used Gift Card 3 from Shopkick ($25): $0 (Remaining Balance: $12.32)
Regular Price/Saved: $33
Rewards: 15 points (New total points = 423 points)
Transactions 5 and 6
- Cozy Holiday Coffee Mug Set (Reg. $15)- $15 (Buy One Get One Free)
- Cozy Holiday Coffee Mug Set (Reg. $15)- $0 (Buy One Get One Free)
Total (Before Tax): $30
Used $3.50 off Coupon: $23
Tax: $2.30
Total: $25.30
Used Gift Card 3 from Shopkick ($12.32): $12.96
Used Gift Card 4 from Shopkick ($25): $0 (Remaining Balance: $12.02)
Regular Price/Saved: $66
Rewards: 22 points (New total points = 445 points)
Regular Price: $969.17
Total Spent: $37.14
Total Saved: $932.03
Rewards: $10 cash back on Amazon Rewards, $20 off $50 at VS, $15 reward at VS, 445 points in Ulta Rewards (Equivalent to almost $14) = $59 in Cash or Rewards
$22.02 Leftover in Gift Cards
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