Strategic Black Friday Shopping Can Seriously Save You Money, OK Expert Says

<p>An Oklahoma expert says knowing how to be strategic on Black Friday can help seriously save you money.</p>

Monday, November 23rd 2015, 11:38 pm

By: Craig Day


Tis the season to pack the mall; the National Retail Federation says about 95-million people will shop on Black Friday.

While more and more people are skipping Black Friday and shopping online, you can still bet stores will be packed with bargain hunters.

Amanda Brackney is an expert when it comes to finding those bargains and gave us a few strategies that may be able to save you up to 50 percent on your Christmas shopping.

Some shoppers may get a little naughty when looking for nice Black Friday deals with big savings.

"So many people who are veterans to Black Friday shopping have shared their secrets that I don't know if there are any hidden secrets, but there are some definite strategies you can take advantage of," Brackney said.

Brackney started a blog and website called Simple Saving Savvy in 2009 and runs it out of her Oklahoma home.

"I just really want to encompass more of stewardship and just saving everywhere we can save, both time and money," she said.

But she said you have to go in prepared for Black Friday - including knowing when stores open, getting a look at all the ads ahead of time, making a list and prioritizing items that might be in short supply.

Brackney said, "Really knowing what you want, and knowing what your bottom price is so that you know if you're really getting a good deal or not."

The website blackfriday.com puts out ads online, giving you time to research and compare prices to see if a deal is really a deal - it's the only way Brackney and her husband shop for Christmas gifts, and it pays off.

"If you're looking at really doing your homework, and really shopping wisely, I think that you can easily save 50 percent on your Christmas budget," she said.

Something else to remember is to not forget about coupons or overlook rebates. A website called Ibotta.com regularly updates what rebates are available on products.

Another strategy involves teamwork. Friends and family can help you cover more stores.

One of my favorite pieces of advice for Black Friday shopping savings is to buy store gift cards ahead of time at discounted prices.

Say someone gets a gift card for a store they don't normally shop at, they can sell that and get some cash, but it also means you can turn around and buy that card for much less than it's worth.

A website called raise.com has hundreds of options - from restaurants, retailers, and services. Savings vary, but my check showed you can buy someone's gift card at Bass Pro and save nine percent; Bed Bath and Beyond, 6.5 percent; and 10 percent at JC Penney.

"Walking in the door you're saving five to 30 percent automatically, not including any coupons they might have or any other sales they might be offering at the time," Brackney said.

With the big crowds and packed stores, Brackney's best advice is just to make sure you're in the Christmas spirit and have fun.

Of course, knowing you're seriously saving money makes that a lot easier to do.

One more thing to keep in mind is to read the fine print about return policies, which can be tricky when it comes to Black Friday purchases.

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