Making A Plan Can Save You Money This Black Friday
PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) - You can save money and find legitimate deals on Black Friday as long as you make a plan and stick to it.
Trae Bodge is a senior editor at Retailmenot.com and she joined KDKA's Larry Richert and John Shumway to try to help people from paying too much for retail this holiday shopping season.
Sometimes too many deals make it hard to distinguish between an average deal and a really good deal. Bodge says she experiences what she calls "deal overload" and she is sure many others across the country do as well.
She says the solution to sorting out the best deals is to remain focused and rely on a trusted source.
"Sign up for a Facebook page or e-mail from one or two of your favorite retailers and then just tighten up your focus a little bit so you can really take advantage of the great deals that are out there," Bodge said.
Bodge says that there are stores on Black Friday that will run out of an advertised deal that may have gotten you into the store.
"There will be a similar item right next to it and you think, 'Oh, I'm already here, I'm just going to do it.' But, always take a moment. Don't make a last-minute purchase like that."
She says you can find an app for your smartphone that will let you compare prices so you can find the best deal and don't make that impulse buy just because you are already at the store.
Bodge says RetailMeNot.com has an app that can alert you to deals while you are inside the mall shopping.
Some consumers think that they were being gouged all along if retails can sell a product as such a low price.
Bodge argues that the deals are legitimate, but "stores do want you to come in and shop so they draw you into this great deal and then obviously hope that you do additional shopping."
Bodge says if you plan and stick to your list you don't have to worry about overspending.
"Black Friday is not the day to fly by the seat of your pants," Bodge said.
Trae Bodge
Listen to the KDKA Morning News with Larry Richert and John Shumway every weekday from 5 to 9 a.m. on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA.
