Preparing Your Black Friday Gameplan {Series}

Join me this week for a series of tips on how to execute a successful Black Friday Gameplan.

Black Friday is defined as the day when many retailers hope to make enough sales to put them back "in the black" and out of the "red" in their financial books.  I love nothing more than a good Black Friday shopping spree (for sport!).  Despite the fact that most of my gift list has been completed by Black Friday, I still enjoy getting amongst the crowds to see what retailers have to offer.  Some of you may be STARTING your holiday shopping on Black Friday.  If you are one of the many that shop this way, you need to be prepared!  

MOMumental Savings is here to help you!

Many retailers have already "leaked" their Black Friday ads. 

 As a couponer, how is this information helpful and relevant?  
Furthermore, how does it benefit you to see the ads any earlier than Thanksgiving Day?

Know what you can expect

It's all about knowledge.  

Store hours and special item sales are key when approaching your Black Friday Gameplan (BFG). 

Talk to your local store associates and managers to find out how they plan on handling the large crowds and "must have" sale items. 

Some helpful questions to ask:

• Will there be "limit one per customer" type of sale items?  
• Will there only be a certain amount of people allowed in the store at a time?  
• Where is the best place to check out?
• Will there be a "minimum two per store" type of rule in place for some of those must have items?
• Some stores open at 10pm, but the sale on certain items (electronics, appliances) doesn't start until midnight--ask them how this will be handled.
• What competitor coupons and ads will be accepted? (some retailers vary in what will be allowed as a "price match" on Black Friday)

Doing some reconnaissance work as you are shopping the store in the next two weeks can pay off BIG TIME.

Join me tomorrow as I talk about the importance of preparation and give some tips to help you think about some things you can do NOW that will help you with your BFG.

Check my favorite website for the Black Friday ad scans and sales.  

Where are you planning to shop Black Friday?

My thoughts on Black Friday......

Another store makes a Black Friday announcement: For the first time, Target will open stores at midnight Thanksgiving night!   This is not the only one.  Toys R Us, Walmart, Best Buy and others will open at midnight or earlier in hopes of capturing your dollars.

Just a public service announcement--if you are paying attention to prices, planning your gift list early, following my page here and on Facebook, then shopping the sales, you can find MOST (if not ALL)  of your items prior to Black Friday! 


I post dozens of "daily deals" on my Facebook page!  Why not get a $40 gift card to an online beauty store for $20?  What a perfect gift for a niece or daughter!  Or maybe order your parents the awesome Omaha Steaks deal that has been featured recently?  

THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BLACK FRIDAY BOX!

I have most of my kid's presents done as well as a many of my relatives! (I have actually been shopping since summer--hey--a sale's a sale!)  I'll work with the kids to make handmade gifts for the grandparents and call it good.  


I am not against Black Friday shopping.  In fact, if you are in the market for electronics or household appliances, and are not brand specific, Black Friday can really pay off for you.  Year after year, however, I am in shock of the lengths people will go to, simply to purchase a toaster for $10 or a hand mixer for $3! 


I'm not saying there aren't good deals on Black Friday, just keep in mind the retailer's ultimate purpose: TO GET YOU IN THE STORES.  If you are there, you will likely spend money.    Be a smart shopper.  
And if you're there, and see me standing in line next to you, make sure to say hello.  I'll be holding a hand mixer.  ;-)

BOO on a Budget

So here is the long-awaited (atleast for me!) post on how to decorate for Halloween for under $10! I like to think of it as "Boo on a Budget."

You can decorate your home for under $10 to give it some Halloween flair! 

 Take a look at what I did and see how LITTLE I paid.  

It's frighteningly frugal (tee-hee!)

This little guy was easy!  I re-used a jar (I rinse and keep jars and cans for things just like this!).

I added some gauze from the dollar store and some google eyes from my craft stash.  Add a tealight and you have a cute little decoration. 

 The kids could even help you wrap it!

Total cost= $1

This was one of my favorites--the stick centerpiece.  I re-used a vase and added some sticks that had fallen from a tree in my yard.  I used some black spray paint on the limbs to add some "darker" appeal for Halloween.  If I have time, I will likely add some spider webs to it before Halloween night.  The rest of the centerpiece was from my stash.  I actually liked the stark look of the sticks by themselves on the center of the table as well.

Total cost= $0

On a side note--if you don't already own several colors of spray paint, start collecting some!  

I find it is the easiest and cheapest way to repurpose things around your home from frames to vases and sticks!  

Here I have once again repurposed spaghetti jars, spray painted the lids black, and added some cute printables and dollar store candy. (You can see where someone had already depleted the candy corn and tootsie rolls by the time I got my camera out!)

Total cost= $0 for printables (found on Kikicreates!  Love her!)  and $3 for candy.

Okay, these lanterns were total impulse buys at the dollar store.  I couldn't resist!

Total cost= $3

I re-used (again!) some frames from around my house.  (My kids' pictures are behind these.) I used an online template and black scrapbook paper to cut out the silhouettes.  You could use black construction paper just as easily as well.  

Glue and frame and you're set with more free decor!

Total cost=$0 (Get the templates here)

Another freebie!  Love the eyechart concept! Find this freebie at Tatertots and Jello.

Total cost= $0

This last free printable resides right after you enter the front door.  (My kids had to add their own touch on either side!).  I love the subway art concept and the chevron design that frames it out too.  Again, reuse a frame from around your house.  I figure my kids' pictures are displayed all the time, so it's okay to cover them up for a few weeks.  All for the sake of decorating!

Total cost= $0
Printable from the girls at eighteen25

So that brings my total cost for decorating to just $7.  Which leaves me enough money to go buy a pumpkin from the patch for our front porch!

There is your BOO on a Budget!  I hope you enjoyed it!

Don't forget to find me on Facebook!

Halloween Round up

• Sears: Bring kids in costume and get a free Mattel toy AND get a free portrait package!
• Souplantation: Free meal for kids dressed in costume.  Details here.
• Boston Market: Two kids eat free ends 10/31

• Picture People: Free Halloween Wallets
• Chuck E Cheese: Join their E-Club and get an email for 20 free tokens Oct 30-Nov 1st. Not sure what/if purchase is required.  It could be great to go and get the free tokens to save for a rainy day.  
• Toys R Us: Per this Sunday's ad, bring your kids in from 12-3 in costume and get a reusable bag to fill with goodies and candy.
• Michaels: Bring your kids in from 10-12 for a Halloween Craft and Trick or Treat pail. Sign up for The Knack newsletter and you'll get alerts about freebies like this all the time!
• Smokey Bones: Spooky Bones Coupon for $5 off ANY purchase.
• Old Navy: Clearance Costumes ($2 each!) on Oct 30th-31st. (Think beyond Halloween here--maybe package together with some play accessories for a child's birthday gift of dress up clothes).
• {edited to add} Chipotle:  Free BOOrito 6pm-close on 10/31.

(Thanks to: hip2save, centsablemomma, heyitsfree, dealseekingmom)