Don’t get overwhelmed by the biggest sales of the year! Our ultimate guide reveals the secrets to finding the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals and maximizing your savings.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday epitomize the pinnacle of shopping euphoria. In the midst of everything going on, shopping can be a little scary. Not having a buying strategy makes the shopping process much worse.

There’s no need to get stressed out, this guide will help you to better capture the madness of shopping on these two fateful days. The better deals you get on these two days, the more you save while shopping.

Make a List and Check It Twice.

Make a list of items you expect to buy. The first thing you can possibly do on these two fateful days is to buy something you don’t need. You will always need a list to better understand and manage your buying expectations. Always think about whether you need a kitchen appliance, a new computer, or even gifts for friends. Having a clear buying idea will help you save money, time, and, more importantly, avoid redundant purchases.

Begin Your Research in Advance
The good bargains are for the prepared. Do not wait until the morning of Black Friday to do your research. Begin your research a week or two prior. Discover which products you desire and write down their prices today. That way, when you see the sale price, you will be able to determine if it is indeed a bargain or merely a marketing trick.

Establish a Stringent Budget
Sales are tempting, and it may be easy to overspend. To avoid doing so, set a solid budget before you go shopping. Find out how much money you can spend and stick to it. This will help you make decisions on things on your list and avoid letting your holiday shopping lead to financial stress later on.

Bookmark Your Favorite Retailers
On sale day, time is of the essence as the most attractive offers are grabbed quickly. Saving the product pages of what you want from different stores as bookmarks saves you time. You can then access just what you need without wasting time browsing the site.

Supercharge Your Savings with Coupon Codes
Here’s a little secret: sale prices are not necessarily the end price tag. The majority of stores offer other promotional codes that you can stack on top of products that are already discounted. Before you make the payment, look at a reputable coupon site such as CouponSeed and find another promo code with a percentage off, free shipping, or other benefits. This is how smart consumers get the best deal.

Stay Ahead of Brands on Social Media and Sign up for Newsletters
Brands love rewarding their loyal followers. Pre-Black Friday and Cyber Monday, brands will post “early-bird” offers, teasers, and exclusive promo codes to their social media and email subscribers. Make sure you are tracking your target stores so that you can get access to this inside scoop.

Compare Prices in Real-Time
A product can be offered at a discount from various stores, and the price can differ. Compare prices with price comparison software or open tabs to compare the final price, including shipping, before you purchase.

Learn the Store’s Return Policy
In the midst of sale, facts fall through the cracks. Before buying, take a few seconds to scan the holiday return policy of the store. Some “final sale” or “doorbuster” buys are not returnable. Knowing this in advance will save you grief later.

Final Words

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are great ways to get great deals, but the secret is being a smart shopper. If you budget, plan, and take advantage of everything at your disposal, you can manipulate the sales and close out the season with exactly what you wanted for a part of the cost.

Good luck hunting!