The holiday season is fast approaching and with that comes one of the biggest shopping days of the year, Black Friday. While the day after Thanksgiving can be a great way to score holiday deals, some people may find the busy shopping day a bit chaotic or even stressful. If you plan to brave the crowds on the hunt for some great deals, here are a few tips to make sure you get the most out of your Black Friday shopping experience.

Make a budget and follow it. Know how much you can afford to spend and stick to that amount. If you want to be extra cautious you can use cash to avoid overspending.

Make a shopping list. Write down everything you plan to buy and put them in order of importance. That way you can focus on finding those items first.

Start early. The earlier you get to the store, the better your chances of finding your most-wanted items in stock.

Use online price comparison tools. Tools like Google Shopping allow you to compare prices at various places without having to travel to multiple stores.

Verify website security. Before you enter your personal information on a website, make sure the web address starts with “https” and there is a closed padlock icon next to address. These details indicate the site is secure. If the address starts with “http” or the padlock is open, see if you can find a deal somewhere else. For further information on how to tell if a website is safe, click here.

Use loyalty programs. Many retailers have loyalty programs that offer sales and promotions to loyal customers and even earn rewards on their purchases.

Follow your favorite brands on social media. Many retailers will offer special deals on their social media platforms. Keep an eye on the pages to catch special deals that may not be available anywhere else.

Look for deals at Brick-and-Mortar Stores on Cyber Monday. Some stores that didn't meet their Black Friday sales targets might offer attractive deals on Cyber Monday to entice shoppers. Keep an eye out for these opportunities.

Use the Ascend digital banking app. Black Friday shopping can be stressful, so make things a bit easier with Ascend’s digital banking app. You can view account balances and transfer money in real time, ensuring that you don’t waste any time snagging the best Black Friday deals!

With these tips, you’ll hopefully be able to minimize the stress and chaos of Black Friday shopping this year. Remember, it’s never too early to start budgeting for the 2024 holiday season. Luckily, Ascend offers a Christmas club checking account designed for this exact purpose. They’re a great way to save for next years’ holiday gifts. If you’d like to learn more about our Christmas club account, click here.

Also, if you prefer to avoid the Black Friday crowds, don’t forget about some of the other shopping opportunities that follow. Consider shopping the day after Black Friday on Small Business Saturday, where you can show your support for local businesses and the communities they serve. You can also enjoy the convenience of online shopping on Cyber Monday, where you can find fantastic deals from the comfort of your own home. Whether you choose to shop online, in-store, or at a small local boutique, remember that the holiday season is about more than just the discounts—it's a time for spreading joy and goodwill. Happy shopping!