Getting the Best Black Friday Prices with #LessStress

We’ve seen a number of store release their Black Friday ads this week… Have you started planning your Black Friday shopping trip, yet?

I actually have a very short list of items that we’re considering braving the crowds for this year, but I’ll be honest, it’s been many years since we’ve done the whole shop-till-you-drop Black Friday thing. I’ve witnessed some crazy behavior, including a couple of grown women fighting over some Fisher-Price toys that, in my opinion, weren’t even that spectacular of a deal…

To be fair, I’ve also seen incredible kindness from perfect strangers. But the thing is, the retail landscape has changed dramatically over the last few years, and I’m not convinced that hitting the stores on Black Friday is necessarily going to net you the biggest discount in all cases.

So what’s changed that can help us all save money while avoiding some of the craziness???

Stores are offering Black Friday prices earlier.

Many stores are choosing to start offering Black Friday-esque pricing well before the day after Thanksgiving — and many are continuing the deals on through Cyber Monday. For instance, Staples is offering two full weeks of Black Friday deals this year, starting on November 16th. You’ll also find many stores are opening the evening of Thanksgiving Day to give shoppers an early start on their shopping.

Create your own pre-Black Friday deals with these just-released Staples coupons:

• 20% off everything you can fit in the bag, in-store only. Exclusions apply. Valid Nov. 23- Nov. 25.
• 25% one full priced item, in-store only. Valid only on Nov. 26.

Stores are offering Black Friday pricing online.

If you can’t find the time to get out, you can always shop online! If you’re using this strategy, be sure to search for free shipping codes and discount promo codes on Google! And if you’re a member of any cashback sites, check them as well to see if you can earn an extra discount. Another little known tip — some stores allow you to purchase online and pick the item up in stores, allowing you to skip those long checkout lines!

Shop these hot Staples deals both in-stores and online:

• Kaspersky Internet Security (1 user) $0.01 after Easy Rebate (reg. $59.99, customer pays $45.01, Easy Rebate for $45)
• $79 APPLE TV (reg. $99.99)
• $39.99 Android 7-inch tablet from JLab, 8GB (save $30)
• $99.99 Samsung Galaxy Tablet Lite (save $40)
• $25 Visa Prepaid Card by mail with purchase of wearable tech (including Fitbit and Jawbone)

Stores are extending Black Friday pricing through the weekend.

I know many of you prefer to be able to actually see and feel products in person, so shopping online might not be for you. Or maybe you just really want to be able to talk with a knowledgeable associate to assist you in making an informed decision. Many stores will be extending Black Friday pricing or introducing new sales all weekend long, and you might have better luck in being able to get some personal assistance if you skip the big day and head into stores then!

I’m not sharing any of this to discourage you from shopping on Black Friday — there are definitely some big savings on the agenda. But if you’re looking for a less stressful approach to Black Friday shopping, consider some of these alternative strategies that will help you stretch your holiday budget while saving your sanity!

I’m so pleased to be partnering with Staples again this holiday season as part of the Staples Holiday Council! Their ultimate goal this holiday season is to “make less stress, more savings happen.” Staples will be offering great deals (including exclusive offers!) throughout the holiday season, helping you get more for less!

This post is brought to you by Staples. All opinions are 100% mine.