Black Friday Shopping Tips: It Pays to Have a Plan

'Tis the season to shop, shop, shop.

Black Friday actually begins on Thanksgiving night at several of the big retailers. So how can you make sure you get the most out of this most intense of shopping seasons? Start by planning ahead, and be careful with those bags of newly purchased merchandise.

“It’s a smart idea to map out your shopping route for Black Friday and throughout December to avoid rushes," said Kristen Sicilia, who works at Macy's in Ross Park Mall. "You also want to keep track of your bags when you are shopping because usually someone is around the corner looking at them already.” 

Kristen had several other suggestions:

1. Plan a shopping route and scout out stores beforehand so you know where you are going, and can get right to the items you want—fast.
2. Know the sales—look at catalogs and websites online to find extra coupons to get the most savings!
3. Park in the first available spot you see—it’s likely that there isn’t a closer one and someone will be on the prowl right behind you. 

For those of you who want avoid the crowds, shopping online is a great alternative and often offer the same savings.

Happy Shopping!   

About the author: Lauren Galuska is a communications major at LaRoche College.

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook