Despite all the bad things we hear on the news every night about our economy or how much credit card debt our nation has racked up, many of us still can’t resist a good sale. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving filled with massive sales from retailers nationwide, has actually become more popular since 2008.  Almost 250 million people visit stores on Black Friday with another 129 million shopping online on Cyber Monday.

We can't help with the crowds, but using these tips can help
bring a little sanity to your Black Friday

These big sale days are actually a great time to get holiday shopping done or at least started, but how do you resist the temptation to buy more than you should?

One word: BUDGET.

Here are a few savings strategies for those committed Black Friday shoppers this year:

• Find savings before hitting the store- sit down with a newspaper, look at deals on the “official” Black Friday website or even download a Black Friday app!
• Compare ads- the first price you find for an item may not be the lowest, so be sure to peruse the ads for lower prices.
• Make a specific list for each store- find what you want and buy ONLY those gifts.
• Set a budgeted amount for each person- use their wish list and research how much the items cost. 
• Use cash- if you absolutely can’t resist the urge to overspend despite doing all the above strategies, use cash.  Figure out the total amount you want to spend, get that amount in cash, and leave your debit or credit card at home to avoid going over the limit.

If you’re a serious Black Friday shopper, what strategies have you employed for successful savings? Hopefully whichever strategy you use will help you to spend smarter and actually save money that could go toward something more important like food or supplies for your favorite charity or non-profit (it is the season for giving and being thankful after all).

Most importantly, Lincoln Savings Bank wants you to stay safe this Black Friday. Drive carefully, park in well lit and populated areas and don’t leave purchased items in plain sight in your vehicle. We hope all goes well and look forward to seeing you soon!

Lincoln Savings Bank, Member FDIC