Black Friday 2014…because some people still choose to shop on this crazy day!

I totally dislike Black Friday. I think I have only done it once, and that was to buy a dress for a wedding that evening. I have blogged in the past regarding this, and will include links to those at the end of this blog. The reason I dislike Black Friday, is I don’t like crowds…and when we start to hear about “keeping safe” tips in regards to shopping, well, let’s just say, I’m happy to stay home and start decorating for Christmas. Yes, Christmas, not “the holidays”, but Christmas. That being said, not everyone shares my opinion about Black Friday (yes, you, NKO, who is a professional at Black Friday shopping 🙂 ), so thought I’d pen a quick blog, just in case you care to take your life into your own hands and go shopping. I, will be partaking in Cyber Friday. 🙂

5 secrets to shopping ONLINE Black Friday deals!

1. Black Friday online deals start BEFORE Black Friday!

That’s right! You can snag some terrific deals online BEFORE Black Friday. Last year there were a lot of stores that started their sales as early as the Saturday before Thanksgiving! Now, we never know exactly what will be on sale or what the price will be, but it pays to be prepared. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather sit in my comfy pants waiting for a great sale to pop up, then fighting the crowds in a store in the middle of the night.

The best way to be prepared? Be sure to sign up for Text Alerts. You will get the best deals sent straight to your cell phone so you won’t miss it. You can also join the Coupon Closet Chat Room on Facebook. We always post the latest and greatest deals here, so you’ll see them as soon as they are available.

Last year, these stores went live before Black Friday: Lowes, Kmart, Kohl’s, Sears and Target. It is likely these stores (and probably more) will do the same again this year.

2. Save MORE online than in the store

What? You mean I don’t have to fight the crowds and spill my coffee to get the best deal? That’s right! Once Black Friday starts (actually the Thanksgiving night for some stores) you will notice there isn’t acoupon or coupon code in sight. However, BEFORE Black Friday, many stores will offer coupons andcoupon codes. Last year I noticed that Kohl’s had coupon codes AND Kohl’s Cash available PLUS, they were offering some killer Black Friday deals BEFORE black friday ever started. So, coupons + Kohl’s Cash + Black Friday prices = HOT deals! Don’t forget, you can enjoy these great savings in your pajamas.

Another reason you might save more if you do online shopping – Loss Leaders. You know, those well below market prices stores use to lure you into the store… they are banking on the fact that you’ll probably buy more items in the store that are marked up. If you shop online, you may just stick to only the very best deals.

3. BEST prices are normally EARLY in the morning or late at night

Call me crazy, but I kind of like Black Friday shopping in the store. With these early Online Black Friday sales starting as early as Wednesday before Thanksgiving, you can have the best of BOTH worlds! Shocking, I know, but you are likely to find many, many great deals BEFORE Black Friday! A lot of “Black Friday” pricing will start the Wednesday before Thanksgiving or even on Thanksgiving day. Let the guys sit back and digest the Turkey dinner while watching some football – I’d rather be shopping (online that is)!

You can shop online and grab great deals for yourself and then head out on Thanksgiving night or early Friday morning to grab the best deals in the store! This is what I did last year and I was able to score some great deals – both online AND in the stores. Black Friday shopping, whether online or in stores (or both) can get overwhelming.

Download this FREE Black Friday Shopping Planner and keep yourself organized! Don’t forget to sign up for Text Alerts so you don’t miss a deal.

4. Online deals will sell out

It’s sad when you miss a deal, but it happens. Just like in the store, online deals will also sell out – the better the deal, the faster it goes. Make sure you don’t miss a deal by signing up for Text Alerts (great deals sent straight to your cell phone via a text message). You should also join the Coupon Closet Chat Room on Facebook where we post the latest and greatest deals as soon as we find them. You will get notifications as soon as we find a great deal, so hopefully you will be able to save big on what you are looking for.

5. Amazon will match most in store prices BEFORE Black Friday.

In the past few years I have noticed that Amazon has price matched most black Friday deals before black Friday actually hits. This was an easy way for me to save last year. Plus I am a HUGE fan of Amazon, so it worked perfectly for me. Make sure you keep an eye out for all the Amazon deals we post here because we are already seeing HUGE price drops.

Thank you Coupon.net for this tips.

SURVIVAL TIPS – The fact we need to discuss “Survival Tips” is pretty insane…but, it appears Black Friday is a sport, so for those of you who participate in this sport…here are some Survival “Tips.

And be safe. 😉

Black Friday & Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday v Black Friday…another perspective, since I’m an equal opportunity blogger.

Black Friday Store Opening Times…and some on Thanksgiving Day as well (boo-hiss)

Store Deals...Just in case you still want to go…..from CouponMom.com

BEST BUY – 6 p.m. Thursday, November 28 Best Buy will begin its “Doorbuster Deals” at 6 p.m. Thanksgiving. According to the company’s ad, tickets will be handed out for items up to two hours before the store opens. Best Buy is also promoting “Midnight Mystery Doorbusters” beginning at 12 a.m. Friday and a later sale at 10 a.m. Friday.

GAP, BANANA REPUBLIC AND OLD NAVY – They normally abide by Mall store hours (which they will be open from 8 p.m. to midnight on Thanskgiving). However, many of them of Flagship stores (stand alone stores) that will have different hours of operation, and I currently do not have them at the moment. Though, many of them might follow Mall Hours Protocol.

JCPENNEY – 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28

KMART – 6 a.m. Thursday, November 28 Kmart will open at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning and stay open for 41 hours straight until 11 p.m. on Black Friday. The store is promoting “Triple Doorbusters”, with sales beginning at 6 a.m. Thursday, 7 p.m. Thursday and 6 a.m. Friday.

KOHL’S – 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28 Kohl’s Department Stores announced it will open its doors at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving, kicking off its Black Friday event earlier than ever. Stores will be open for 28 hours straight – from 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28 through midnight on Friday.

MACY’S – 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28 For the first time in its 155-year history, Macy’s will be open on Thanksgiving. The store announced in mid-October that it would open at 8 p.m. that Thursday with a variety of sales running through Saturday, November 30.
SEARS – 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28

SEARS – stores will be open beginning at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day through 10 p.m. on Black Friday, with more than 1,000 doorbusters available until 1 p.m. Friday. According to the company’s website, this is the third year Sears is opening on Thanksgiving.

TARGET – 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28. They have an amazing deal! If you spend $75 or more, you will receive a 20% off coupon to use in their store from December 1st to the 7th! Plus all single roll wrapping paper is Buy 1 Get 1 Free! Also, if you buy an Keurig K40 Brewing Elite system for $99, you will get a $20 Target Gift card. So many great gift card deals!

TOYS R US – 5 p.m. Thursday, November 28 Opening earlier than nearly all its competitors, Toys R Us announced its Black Friday sale would begin at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving. The store is offering more than 300 “doorbuster values” that range from 4-hour deals to sales available through Saturday.

WALMART – 6 p.m. Thursday, November 28
Walmart is once again staggering its Black Friday sales, with the first round starting at 6 p.m. Thursday and the second round beginning two hours later at 8 p.m. The final event starts at 8 a.m. Friday and runs all weekend. The company is offering a “1 Hour In Stock Guarantee” on select featured items. If a featured item sells out within the first hour, Walmart says customers can instead purchase a “guarantee card” that will ensure they receive that item before Christmas at the advertised Black Friday price.

***I penned this and planned to post on Thanksgiving, hence why these Thanksgiving deals are included, then decided to post on Black Friday, because I still needed a Friday blog! #lazy

Below is a list of Black Friday store hours and some of the Power Savings, too!
ACE HARDWARE: Open at 6 a.m. Friday, November 29.

25% All Regular Priced items from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. with in store coupon. November 29
50% Off One Regular Priced item $30 or lower with in store coupon. November 30
$10 Off your purchase of $50 or more with in store coupon. December 1
Earn $50 in Reward points when you spend $500 on your Ace Hardware Credit Card.

AEROPOSTALE: Opens 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28.

60% Off Everything!
Spend $100 or more will get free Skullcandy Earbuds
Spend $150 or more will get free Skullcandy 2XL

AAFES: Opens at 4 a.m. Friday, November 29.

2 Hour Deal: 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. –> Dyson Hand held vacuum For $119 with $25 off in store coupon. Regularly $195!
2 Hour Deal: 10 a.m. to Noon –> Special Edition Keurig Brewing System $99 with $30 off in store coupon. Regularly $129
4 Hour Deal: Noon to 4 p.m. –> 25% off All Coach Products! Discount available online! Use coupon code: x3184coach

AMERICAN EAGLE: Opens 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28 . It hasn’t been confirmed yet, but they normally have everything 50% off! I’ll be waiting on this one.

BARNES & NOBLE: Store opens 8 a.m. Friday, November 29.

Spend $75 and receive a $10 eGift Card
Nook Simple Touch $79 Plus Free Shipping

BATH & BODY WORKS: Store Opens 12 p.m. Thursday, November 28 closes 11 p.m. Friday, November 29.

Last year, and previous years, they normally do an adorable bag with tons of products in it for $20, but these come in limited quantities. The retail value of the products is $100+!!

BIG LOTS : Store opens 6 a.m. Friday, November 29.
CATO: Store Opens 7 a.m Friday, November 29.
CHRISTOPHER & BANKS: Store opens 6 a.m. Friday, November 29.
CLAIRE’S: Store Opens 8 p.m.
DEB: Store Opens 8 a.m. Friday, November 29.
DICK’S SPORTING GOODS: Store Opens 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28

All Deals End at 2 p.m. (Regional Times, check Dicks.com for your area)
Take $15 off Athletic Foot Wear $59.99 or higher with coupon.
Take $15 off Nike, Adidas or Reebok Athletic Wear purchase of $59.99 or higher.
50% off Nike Performance Fleece (Men, Women and Youth)

DILLARD’S: Store Opens 8 a.m. They will be Closed Thanksgiving.
FINISH LINE : Store Opens 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28.
FRED’S: Store Opens 5 a.m. Friday, November 29.

Save 20% off iTunes Gift Cards

GAMESTOP: Store Opens 12 a.m. Friday, November 29.

Buy 2 Get 1 Free Pre-Owned Products
30% Extra Instore Credit for Trades
Nintendo 2DS for $129 (Red or Blue)
BOGO Disney Infinity Characters

GNC: Stores open 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. Friday, November 29. Depending on location.
HOBBY LOBBY: Store Opens 8 a.m. Friday, November 29.
HOLLISTER CO.: Store opens 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28
HOME DEPOT: Store opens 5 a.m. Friday, November 29.
HOT TOPIC: Store Opens 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28.
JO-ANN FABRICS: Store Opens 6 a.m. Friday, November 29
JOURNEYS: Store opens 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28.
JUSTICE: Store opens 12 a.m. Friday, November 29.
KAY JEWELERS: Store Opens 6 a.m. Friday, November 29.
HALLMARK SHOP: Store Opens 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28
LANE BRYANT: Store Opens 12 a.m. Friday, November 29.
LOWE’S: Store Opens 5 a.m. Friday, November 29.

50% off Kobalt 227 piece Mechanic Tool Set
$0.99 Poinsettias
Outdoor patio heating lamps 50% off

MAURICES : Store Opens 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28.
MARSHALLS: Store Opens 8 a.m. Friday, November 29.
MENARDS: Store Opens 6 a.m. Friday, November 29.
MICHAEL’S: Store opens 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday, November 28 and then 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, November 29.

Coupon for 60% off PLUS an additional 20% off Custom Framing.
30% off Entire purchase (including sale items).
40% off Entire purchase (Regular priced items only).
70% off Holiday Ribbon.
Ashland Jar Scented Candles 4/$10!

OFFICE DEPOT: Store Opens 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. On Thursday, November 28 and then reopens 8 a.m. Friday, November 29.
OFFICE MAX: Store opens 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28 and then Black Friday pricing starts at 12:01 a.m.

Buy 1 Get 1 Free Office Max Brand Printer Ink!
Gift Card deals: Buy $50 iTunes gift card & get $10 off. Buy $200 Master Card Gift Card and get $20 off!
$59 for a Mach Speed 4GB Tablet!

OLD NAVY: Store Opens 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28.

Save 50% off the entire store!

PAC SUN: Store Opens 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28.
PAYLESS: Store Opens 12 a.m. Friday, November 29.
PEEBLES : Store opens 6 p.m. Thursday, November 28 – 1 a.m. Friday, November 29. It then reopens
6 a.m. – 9 p.m. Friday, November 29.
PETCO: Store opens 7 a.m. Friday, November 29.
RADIO SHACK : Store Opens 8 a.m. Friday, November 29.
ROSS DRESS FOR LESS: Store Opens 5 a.m. Friday, November 29.
RUE 21: Store 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28.
SAM’S CLUB : Store Opens 7 a.m. Friday, November 29.
SHOE SENSATION: Store opens 8 a.m. Friday, November 29.
STAPLES: Store opens 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28 – 12 a.m. Friday, November 29 and then reopens
6 a.m. – 9 p.m. Friday, November 28.

THE CHILDREN’S PLACE : Store opens 12 a.m. Friday, November 29.
THE SHOE DEPT.: Store opens 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28.
THINGS REMEMBERED : Store Opens 12 a.m. Or 6 a.m. (Check the website for your area) Friday, November 29.
T.J. MAXX: Store Opens 8 a.m. Friday, November 29.
ULTA BEAUTY: Store opens 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28.
VANITY: Store Opens 12 a.m. Friday, November 29.
VICTORIA’S SECRET: Store opens 12 a.m. Friday, November 29.
WET SEAL: Store Opens 8 p.m. Thursday, November 28.

Source: Raininghotcoupons.com

Song of the Day: Photograph by Def Leppard – brings back happy memories of last week’s Bear’s game! 2 wins in a row…we are/were on a winning streak. Was hoping for 3 in a row , but alas, that did not happen.

I see your face every time I dream
On every page, every magazine
So wild so free so far from me
You’re all I want, my fantasy

The timing of this blog, is not exactly “spot on”. I was enjoying too much family and festivities, when I should have posted this yesterday. Then I thought, who wants another blog about shopping, when we were all enjoying family and friends, hence, the blog today, which includes references to Thanksgiving Day shopping.

My last thought of the day…Finally saw Frozen. Loved it… a movie about princesses, what’s not to love? Some of the best one-liners and LOL humor. #hilarious But, wondering why Elsa was the #1 Halloween costume, and not Anna, who I thought was a better character? Shout out to Audrey… please explain. 🙂

Hope everyone had a very happy Thanksgiving and please stay safe today, if you choose to shop….actually, please stay safe, anyway. My version of Black Friday, is hanging with my black pooch, and decorating for Christmas!