Just In: Six Essential Black Friday Shopping Tips -Newslanded

Black Friday is only a matter of weeks away and that means one thing: shopping madness is just around the corner. To help you survive the madness, make sure you follow the under-listed tips and advice to make the wisest buying decisions.

Create a shopping list, double check twice!
Whether you are shopping online or in-store, shopping without a specific list is one of the worst things you can do to yourself. You save more and avoid falling into the trap of buying unnecessary items when you have a list.

Start early
Black Friday has advanced into a whole month of deals and savings with retailers updating prices throughout the event. The earlier you start your shopping, the better your chances of finding the items you want on sale and in stock.

A woman using her phone for shopping research | videoblocks.

Use price and coupon tools
Compare prices before making a purchase by either doing the traditional retailer-by-retailer price comparison or checking through price checker apps or websites. Some major retailers also allow you to scan products and price-shop online.

Get social
If you want a good Black Friday experience, then the social media pages of your favourite retailers are a great way to find out about deals and promotions. Some retailers even reward customers who like or follow them with special alerts to Black Friday discounts and incentives.

Protect yourself from data breaches
The best way to safeguard yourself against any potential identity theft is by limiting the number of credit cards you use during Black Friday. Consider using the cash-only option but should there be a reward for using your card, then pick a card only for that purpose.

A man shopping with his credit card on his phone | VideoBlocks

Know your return policies
Most retailers tweak their return policies during Black Friday. Others may extend them, others might restrict them or increase their restocking fees so be sure you’re comfortable with a store’s policy before you buy anything.

Remember, if you want to get the best deals, shop like a Black Friday Ninja.