12 Common Black Friday Shopping Mistakes NOT to Make This Year
Have a good shopping strategy and avoid making these Black Friday mistakes!
Can you believe Black Friday is just around the corner!?
It’s a good idea to start thinking about your holiday shopping game plan sooner rather than later with Black Friday deals already starting for 2023!
If you intend to hit the stores in-person this year to score some Black Friday deals, it’s important to have a shopping strategy. This way you’ll spend less time standing in lines and score better deals for everyone on your gift list.
We had some FUN sharing Black Friday tips back in 2013! 😱 Yes, 10 years ago but most are still relevant today!
Can’t see the video? Watch it here!
Check out these 12 common Black Friday shopping mistakes to avoid at ALL costs!
1. DON’T wear uncomfortable clothes.
Yes, that dress and those heels were adorable during your Thanksgiving get-together, but no one is checking your outfit come Black Friday. Instead, swap out your party attire for cute and comfy leisurewear staples if you’re braving the stores this year. Just be mindful of layers if you plan to try on any clothes. Though Black Friday’s not the ideal day to spend time in fitting rooms anyway.
Shop our latest trends over on LTK if you’re in need of some new comfy clothes!
2. DON’T go without a Black Friday shopping plan.
Make sure you’ve got a game plan before you step foot out the door. Start by checking out our Black Friday Price Comparison Cheat Sheet to help you figure out what deals you’ve gotta have and what stores you’ll want to hit up. Also, write down the store hours for each retailer that you’re planning to hit up.
Then list out the Black Friday deals with their price under the specific store, noting if it’s available elsewhere in case inventory runs out. Lastly, make a list of non-deal items to keep an eye out for if you plan on getting all of your holiday shopping covered in one fell swoop. Map out the most efficient route and get all your bases covered!
My Hip teammate, Jessica, also made a great point about having a plan:
“You should really have a game plan with store hours so you know which stores to hit up first and whether or not they provide wristbands, etc. for certain products or if you will be standing in a long line.” – Jessica
As she said, some stores give out wristbands for larger items (especially televisions), so be sure to take possibilities like that into consideration!
Be sure to bookmark our Black Friday price comparison cheat sheet as we update it all season long.
3. DON’T rely on a coffee shop.
Don’t leave the house without eating breakfast and drinking coffee because every other shopper venturing out on Black Friday will likely be visiting a coffee shop, too. Waiting for your caffeine for too long will only cut into your precious shopping time.
Not to mention, you may find many coffee shops to be closed during early hours.
On the bright side, you can buy some extra stocking stuffers with that coffee money you saved. Oh, and remember to pack lots of snacks for later as shopping burns lots of calories! 🤗
Hip Tip: If you just can’t live without Starbucks try one of these easy drink recipes you can make at home!
4. DON’T forget to make a Black Friday spending plan.
A spending plan is an absolute necessity! Some people like to bring a set amount of cash to keep spending under control. However, if you carry too much cash, you might be more susceptible to thieves. On the other hand, if you don’t bring enough, you could miss out on the Black Friday deals that you really wanted to purchase.
The cash-only method also overlooks store card discounts or credit card cash back, which can really add up! An alternative would be to use a debit card with a set amount of money available and work with store cards and credit cards as you see fit. Stick to your game plan to avoid overspending.
Did you know that our FREE Hip2Save App has an envelope budget system built right into the app? Just toggle to the Budget section on the app and start categorizing your envelopes with their intended amount (you can even include one for holiday gifts!)
Then, when you pull from each envelope (in real life), add your transaction amount and date to the desired envelope to keep a running balance of each budget. It’s so easy!
Hip Tip: If you already have our free app and are looking for something festive, check out these free holiday apps we think everyone should have.
5. DON’T bring the kids Black Friday shopping with you!
Kids + high-stress environment = well… you do the math. 😜 Plus, these days it’s best to limit the amount of people you’re shopping with especially during flu season. If you can find a sitter or sweet talk your loved ones to watch over the kiddos while you’re cruising the aisles, your sanity will thank you later.
6. DON’T be rude.
This should go without saying, but trying to complain to a store associate to get your way will get you nowhere. Most are not working because they love the throngs of excited shoppers and they’re likely seasonal or newer employees who don’t have the seniority to request the day off so be kind.
Make their morning (and yours!) better with kindness and a smile. ❤️
They might even open another register or check the backroom stock if you’re nice enough! Check out this sweet tip from Hip2Save reader Cara!
“I always make little candy baggies for employees on Black Friday. All my leftover Halloween candy gets put in little ziplock bags and handed out when they help me. They probably need the sugar and it’s a nice way to say thank you!!” – Cara
Hip Tip: If you’re wanting to make a friend or stranger smile on Black Friday, consider these random acts of kindness!
7. DON’T buy because of “the deal.”
Retailers can bump up the original price to make savings seem more significant. For big-ticket items, like TVs and computers, do your research to make sure it’s right for you.
The models promoted with huge discounts may appear as top-rated products, but if you check the model numbers they’re not the same. Black Friday offerings are typically watered-down versions and lack some of the features that give high-quality products their value.
8. DON’T rush your Thanksgiving just to score Black Friday sales.
Times are certainly changing and Black Friday traditionally starts before Thanksgiving. However, if you’re looking to shop some true Black Friday deals this year, this is your reminder to take time and enjoy your meal and family time. No doorbuster deal is worth missing out on precious moments shared with your loved ones. ❤️
Besides, all of these retailers are closed on Thanksgiving anyway!
Hip Tip: Planning your Thanksgiving meal? Here’s how to score a free or cheap Thanksgiving turkey.
9. DON’T use a cart if you don’t need one!
If larger items aren’t a part of your plan or you just need to scoop up one or two things, consider cruising the aisles without a bulky shopping cart. You’ll be able to slip past others easily and cut down on shopping time and stress. Plus, if you don’t have a cart, you’re less likely to be tempted to throw in random non-sale items or other things that aren’t on the list. 🙌
“Never get a cart if you could manage without. You’ll likely have to walk through narrow spaces of people and Black Friday deals and it will slow you down.” – Amber, Hip sidekick
Here’s a helpful tip from Hip2Save reader, Jess:
“My favorite tip ever… BRING CLOTH BAGS or giant IKEA bags because stores often run out of carts and this is the best way to carry things around!” – Jess
10. DON’T go Black Friday shopping alone!
Got a friend or family member who’s also looking to hunt down all the best Black Friday sales too? Instead of going it alone, bring ’em with you!
Not only do you get some moral support (Black Friday can be stressful, after all!), but there are also some other practical benefits that come along with having a shopping buddy.
Here’s what some of our Hip sidekicks are saying about bringing a shopping partner:
“I would say don’t shop alone, especially for the bigger stores because once you get in line by yourself, you’re stuck. If you have a buddy, they can run and grab something while you wait in line, and then you can do the same for them!” – Chelsey, Hip sidekick
“For sure go in a group and have a game plan so you can divide and conquer everyone’s lists. I would always have a friend get in line while I shopped then we would switch off!” – Angela, Hip sidekick
11. DON’T forget to shop online if you want to score early deals and skip the crowds.
Avoid the craziness altogether and just stay home to shop online deals this Black Friday and Cyber Monday! Even better, deals are already happening this 2023 so you can get more ahead of the game than any year before.
Do as our one Hip reader, Elsa, does:
“I will be sitting on my couch with my iPad, Hip2save app, my credit card, and coffee. 😇“ – Elsa, Hip reader
Hip Tip: We have a gift guide for everyone on your list!
12. DON’T forget about Cyber Monday.
Although Black Friday deals are already happening now until the big day arrives, Cyber Monday is a notable sale day that always seamlessly runs right after Black Friday deals. So there’s certainly no shortage of deals you can score if you aren’t leaving your couch!
Bookmark our vetted best Cyber Monday deals for 2023!
No matter how you go about your holiday shopping, remember to smile 😊, make memories, and score the right buys that work for you, your loved ones, AND your budget!
Start shopping the best Black Friday sales happening NOW!
The photos alone were worth the read, LOL. Super cute pics ladies. Thank you, as always.
Aww, thanks for the sweet comment, Lisa! Glad you enjoyed the fun photos in this post! You’re very welcome! 🥰