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Debt Free Christmas: Shopping Tips and Deals

Best Christmas Shopping on a Budget: Tips for Saving on Black Friday! What should you buy on Black Friday and what should you skip? Check out these fun ideas for saving money on Black Friday on a budget. #frugal #blackfriday

Christmas Shopping on a Budget

Christmas Shopping Tips and Deals (Week 4)

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So you’ve planned a Christmas Budget, maybe picked up a couple side hustles to make extra cash for Christmas, and have a list for gift giving…NOW you’re ready for the actual Christmas Shopping Fun! 

Should You Shop Black Friday & Cyber Monday?

You can definitely find some amazing deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Retailers will be offering steep discounts on some items, while other items are not really saving you much money. It just really depends on when you start shopping for Christmas gifts, how many gifts you have left to buy, and if there is a particular toy or item that you just HAVE to HAVE!

Here are some tips on things to BUY and SKIP this Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Best Buys on Black Friday & Cyber Monday

Apple Products – You can score great deals on previous generation Apple products (ex. iPhone 6, Mini iPad, iPad, Mac Book). The older versions of these Apple Products will come with some great prices and other incentives like gift cards or free downloads. You can find great deals at Target, Best Buy, and Walmart.

TV – The TVs that go on sale for Black Friday and Cyber Monday are usually the most basic styles in less popular brands. You won’t find many deals on TVs or other electronics with all the cool perks.

Gaming Systems – Gaming Systems will be on sale this holiday season with special incentives for Gaming Bundles. A gaming bundle usually includes a special video game, download, or special accessories for a discounted price. Your typical place to find great deals are Game Stop, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy.

Video Games, CDs, DVDs – You will find amazing deals on Video Games, CDs, and DVDs! These are usually doorbuster type of deals to get people in the door. Just make a note that the video games, CDs, and DVDs are not usually the newest releases. Video games, CDs, and DVDs can make great stocking stuffers.

Home Appliances – It’s kind of strange to think that you would get great deals on home appliances, but it’s true! I guess you know you’re seriously “Adulting” when you ask Santa for a washer and dryer for Christmas!

Sears, Best Buy, and Lowes are known for offering great deals of 25 – 60% OFF on big home appliances.

You can get smaller appliances like coffee makers, waffle irons, mixers, blenders, and vacuum cleaners with great discounts from stores like Khol’s, JC Penney, and Macy’s.

*NOTE: Make sure you read the fine print. Sometimes there will be a deal for an appliance priced at $7.99. However, the fine print is a MAIL-IN REBATE. You have to send in paperwork in order to receive the discount. It take more effort and you have to pay for the item up front.

Women’s Fashion Boots – If you are in the market for women’s fashion boots, then you will be able to find some great deals on Black Friday! Last year I purchased a pair of tall boots from JCPenney for $19.99. They are regularly $99.99! Whoa!

I get so many compliments on them. Those boots are my FAVORITE Black Friday purchase to date!  You can expect great deals at JC Penney, Macy’s, and Belk.

Online Doorbusters – Make sure you check out online doorbuster deals. Online retailers will be offering special deals. These are usually timed very short so you have to pay attention and be prepared.

These are great especially for the convenience of shopping in your pjs at home!

Skip these on Black Friday & Cyber Monday

Toys – Typically toys go on deeper discount towards the middle of December, so you may not want to buy toys on Black Friday. However, if you are looking for a specific toy then you may want to go ahead and snatch it up.

Christmas Decorations – You will not be getting the best deal on Christmas decor purchasing on Black Friday. You should wait until the deep discounts happen after Christmas. After Christmas you will be able to find Christmas decor on sale up to 80% off! Hobby Lobby is one of my favorite places to shop for discounted holiday decor!

“White Sale” or Bedding – Typical “White Sales” are in January and February of each year. White sales are deep discounts on sheets, towels, kitchen towels, pillows, and bedding.

Coupons, Cash Back, & Deals

Get Refunds on Online Shopping

Paribus is one of the easiest ways to get cash back on purchases you’ve made online.

Here’s how it works…Paribus connects to your email and searches for price-changes on items that you’ve already bought through stores that are monitored by Paribus.

When they find a price-change they work with the store to get you a refund for the difference.

All you have to do is connect your email account and you have the option to connect your Amazon account for even faster refunds. Read more in our Paribus Review.

Sign up with Paribus and start getting refunds!

 Local Facebook Groups

The great thing about our kids is that they are still young! They don’t realize that toys are supposed to come in packaging. They don’t care if their new toy used to be someone else’s toy.

We buy our kids toys from yard sales, consignment shops, and Local Facebook Groups. We save SO much money on toys by purchasing gently used items.

It’s really easy to join a Local Facebook Group. 

Do a simple search through Facebook’s search bar. You can type in “(Your city) children’s toys.” Many of these groups are called something like “(Your city) garage sale” or “(Your city) consignment.”

Once you join the group, make sure you read the rules and always follow the rules so that you don’t get removed from the group for some reason.

Be careful when buying from someone you don’t know. Always pick a public location where you feel safe and bring a friend/family member with you to the transaction.

Coupon and Deals Facebook Groups

These Facebook Groups are great for staying on top of deals during the holidays and all year long! You can click on th link below and join the group to follow getting the best deals.

Free Stuff Finder HOT DEALS Alert

Black Friday + Christmas DEALS!

TARGET DEALS, Clearance & Couponing

Extreme Christmas Savings: The Hottest Deals and Black Friday

Debt Free Christmas Challenge:

We are taking the 12 weeks before Christmas to create a Debt Free Christmas. January 1, after all the holiday crazy, you will be so glad you don’t have to pay for Christmas the rest of the year!

Week 1: Debt Free Christmas Challenge

Week 2: Make Quick Cash for Christmas

Week 3: Christmas Gift Giving Ideas

Week 4: Christmas Shopping Tips and Deals

Week 5: How to Save on Amazon

Week 6: Sell Gift Cards Online

Week 7: DIY Crafts to Make and Sell During the Holidays

Week 8: Ebates Shopping Tips and Tricks

Week 9: Cheap Christmas Decorations

Week 10: 100+ Frugal Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Everyone On Your List

1 comment

  • This is a great post! Too often holiday spending can get away from us.. it’s so important to PLAN and create a holiday budget. The holidays shouldn’t be stressful…and debt = stress!