Black Friday falls on the day after Thanksgiving and has earned the reputation of being the busiest shopping day of the year.

1. Check Out the Ads:

Many sites have them before Thanksgiving so head to BlackFriday.com and Bfads.net. and sign up for their email alerts.

2. Do Your Research Before Friday:

If you are hoping to scoop up a deal on Friday on a big-ticket item, go ahead and get your research out of the way as soon as possible. A bad product is a bad deal no matter how cheap it costs. We like BlackFriday.com and Bfads.net.

3. Compare Prices:

Utilize price-comparison Internet shopping sites such as PriceGrabber.com to assist you in comparing product prices. Compare the "options" included with the product. Some retailers will low-ball the advertised price on a stripped down product, and then you will be charged extra for the necessary parts that will make the product perform as expected.

4. Set a Budget

One way I save more money is only use cash or buy a prepaid debit card to control spending. Also make a list of who you are shopping for before you head out.

5. Kohl's Has the Best Toy Deals:

Besides Amazon and Target, Kohl's has the best deals on toys. Be sure to print off those Kohl's coupons too before heading out!

6. Bring the Ads:

Many stores offer a "lowest-price" guarantee; however you may be required to produce a copy of the exact product being advertised for less. Most local retailers will not meet Internet prices even when the product is advertised on the same company's website, but it cannot hurt to try. Print the Web page that details the product and shows the advertised price. It may give you additional bargaining power and push the sales person into waiving other charges such as assembly fees.

OR make sure your phone is charged, and take the BFAds app (iOS) (Android) with you to the store to verify prices and promotions as you shop.

7. JCPenney Has the Best Clothing Deals:

If you are looking to stock up on clothing, JCPenney is your best bet. Every year, they offer a super savings coupon. One year it was $500 off $500, $100 off $100, etc. which is amazing!

8. Ask for Gift Receipts:

Gift receipts generally include a description of the item purchased but do not disclose the price paid. Including gift receipts inside the gift box will make returns or exchanges easier for the gift recipient. Without proof-of-purchase, the recipient may be turned down for returning or exchanging the item or risk receiving an exchange for the current selling price of the item.

9. CamelCamelCamel

Don't shop Amazon without CamelCamelCamel! They track Amazon prices so you can see how today’s Amazon price compares to the rest of the year. Just enter the Amazon URL to see a graph of price historicity. You can even sign up for price-drop alerts.

10. No One Price Matches on Black Friday

Price match leaders like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy each have a disclaimer excluding Black Friday sales from price matching.

Target: “Price matches and adjustments to competitors will not be allowed for prices from Thanksgiving Day through the entire week after Thanksgiving. (11/23/2017 – 12/2/2017).”
Walmart: “…This does not apply to Clearance, Special buy, Value of the Day or deep discounts like Thanksgiving, Black Friday or Cyber Monday… Walmart.com will not price match items on Walmart.com or to other retailers between Thanksgiving and Cyber-Monday.”
Best Buy: “… and [excluding] items for sale Thanksgiving Day through the Monday after Thanksgiving, whether offered by Best Buy or a competitor.”
Amazon used to price match, but this year they’ve scaled back, and now they only price match TVs. Regarding Black Friday, their policy states “The Guarantee will not apply to Comparable Offers which are promoted or marketed as limited time sales or offers, which last for 72 hours or less, such as Lightning Deals, Gold Box Deals, Black Friday, ‘early bird’ or ‘door buster’ offers (‘Limited Time Promotion’). The Guarantee will also not apply to Eligible TVs purchased as part of a Limited Time Promotion by Amazon.”
Kohl’s price match policy doesn’t exclude Black Friday specifically, but my call to customer service let me know that they don’t plan to price match on Black Friday, and the policy will be updated before Black Friday. Even if they did, their price match policy excludes such a huge list of brands, it’d be near impossible to find an eligible product anyway.

11. Cash Back From Paribus

Sign up for Paribus, and they’ll check your inbox or your credit card statement, track your purchases, alert you of price drops, and file the request on your behalf! They keep a 25% cut of your savings in exchange for the work, but you don’t lift a finger. Paribus will work to get you money back from these merchants.

12. Get The Amazon App

Buying big ticket items in store? Make sure Amazon doesn't have it cheaper by downloading the Amazon app (iOS) (Android) to pull up the Amazon price of any item, and never overpay again.

13. Don't Miss The Free Stuff

In the past, Kohl’s offered free movie tickets to the first 100 people in line. PetSmart offered a free paw print ornament and a movie rental to the first 100 customers. Michaels gave out gift cards to the first 21 customers. Here is a sample of the freebies from a few years ago.