Saving on Black Friday without spending much money!

Some of my friends thought I was crazy to go shopping on Black Friday. They talk about not wanting to fight the lines and crowds. However, if you know what deals you are going for and stick to a few stores, you can’t go wrong! I also refused to go on Thursday, wanting to send a message to stores that they should be closed!

I have a few favorite stores I love to go to each year – Target and CVS. Target often offers special items just for Black Friday. I always can get my boys cheap pajamas and hat and glove sets. The pajamas are often in sets that are created solely for Black Friday. CVS offers tons of freebies (you just split your purchase up and use your Extra Bucks right away!).

My strategy:

1) I go through the newspaper (or online) sale fliers and my favorite blog, “Kosher on a Budget,” beforehand.

2) I create a detailed list before heading out to shop (be sure you record the price each item should be).

3) I am careful what goes on my list. I try not to buy anything we don’t need or usually buy anyway.

4) I also try to keep my gift expenses low for the kids, because I know they usually get holiday money and gifts from relatives. We are not really in a position right now to buy any splurges!

Here are my savings for the day:

Amazon:

Amazon has a deal offering 30% off one book: I have only seen this deal for Black Friday. The deal is still good until Nov. 30. See the post “30% off Amazon book code…” on Kosher on a Budget. I saved $3.99 on a book for work.

Amazon also offered many magazines at $5, including my favorite “Real Simple.” See the post “Discount Mags Black Friday sale – 100 Magazine subscriptions starting at $3.50 per year” on Kosher on a Budget. My last renewal was $32.99 from them!

Total Amazon savings = $36.98

Target:I went here first, because I know that my favorite items (the pajama sets) go quick! Not so quick that I got up early or went Thursday night, though! This year the sets were $5 each and for some reason they rang up as $3.50 a set at the register! Normally a two-piece set in the children’s department on sale would be $10. You cannot beat that! (Savings = $26 since I bought for four kids.)

They also have gloves and hats on sale each year. I got the boys each a new winter hat (2 for $4) and a set of gloves (2 sets of 2 pairs for $4). So each boy got a new hat and gloves for $3 per kid! These sets were previously $5 a set and higher when not on sale! (Savings = $3)

All regular-priced clothing in the store was 40% off, so I was able to get my boys each a long-sleeved shirt ($4.80) for weekends and myself two long-sleeved shirts ($7.20 each). I also got a package of socks (10 pair) for $5 (regularly $10.49). (Savings = $27.89)

50% off select frames: Three were normally $2.00, I got them for $1. The other was $4.99; got for $2.50. (Savings = $5.50)

The Lego movie: My boys have been anxiously awaiting this to come out. I got it for $9 (Was $9.99 on Amazon instant video or $18.99 before Black Friday. However, it is $8.99 as of Saturday eve on Amazon, if you want to get it now!) (Savings = $9.99)

Red card 5% discount = $5.15.

Total Target savings = $77.53

To find out other ways you can save at Target, see my post “Why I love Target!”

Old Navy:The whole store was 50% off! I had looked at the sale flier ahead of time and saw that they had boys’ half-zip pullover sweaters for $8.47 each. I only have one sweater for each of the boys, so I thought this would be great to get. I could not find them at the store, but found this lighter sweater instead, for the same price. The boys loved wearing them for Shabbos. They will get good wear out of them for school, too!

Total Old Navy savings = $33.88

CVS:

CVS had lots of freebies this holiday. Not quite as many as in past years, but I am not complaining! This year it was paper towels (on sale for $1.99), various chocolate candies (I chose Hershey’s, on sale for $.79), AA batteries (on sale for $4.19), and a set of two toothbrushes (on sale for $2.00). That’s $8.97 of free stuff!

Buy one get one free: I got my boys each a fleece blanket for their beds (buy one at $9.99, get one free) and got two remote control cars (buy one at $12.99, get one free) for my gift drawer. See my post “Happy Birthday to you, and you, and you”  for how to create one. So for $5 each, I got a warm blanket for each of my sons, and I got each car for $6.50! I did have to go to a second CVS for two more blankets (the closest store only had 2), but it was worth the trip! The boys loved them and even had fun using them for dress up! They will add some needed warmth for them at night this winter!

Other sale items: Tuna for $.66 a can ($.69 regularly at Aldi, but for name brand it was a savings), a polish gift set for a friend ($3.88 on sale, $3 ExtraBucks back = $.88), and a remote control helicopter for my older son for Chanukah ($8.88, regularly $19.99).

Total CVS Savings = $56.23

OfficeMax:

OfficeMax is one of my favorite stores. They have great sales every week, put many items on clearance and have a great rewards program. See my post on “Get rewarded for shopping – updated” and “Recycle your ink = earn money.” Recently our printer broke, and I had $50 in rewards to go towards a new one!

Sharpies – I got a metallic 6-pack for $3. This set is normally $10.49!

I also got a 16 MG memory card for our camera for $6.99 (regularly $39.99). We currently have a small one which really only allows us to take 10-15 pictures at once! I had been hoping they might go on sale because the regular price was way to high!

Total OfficeMax savings = $40.49

Total savings for my Black Friday adventures: $245.11. Considering I spent less than $200 that is awesome!