Black Friday is a great time to score some deals on things like electronics, clothing, and housewares.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t save even more!  Save more money on Black Friday when you use some of these surprisingly easy shopping strategies:

Take advantage of free shipping offers.

Free shipping can save you a ton of money when you shop online. Look for online coupon codes to find free shipping offers. If you can’t find a free shipping offer, look for places that will ship free to your local store.

If you shop through Amazon and you’re trying to reach the $35 free shipping threshold without overspending, use the Amazon Filler Item Finder to find a few practical items you need to get you there.  Or you can get free shipping if you have Amazon Prime.
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Shop with Amazon Prime.

If you’re a member of Amazon Prime, you already know how much money you can save by taking advantage of their free shipping.  But you can save even more money when you know that Amazon Prime members get access to Lightening Deals at Amazon 30 minutes before everyone else. That means you get first dibs on the best deals.  In addition, Amazon sometimes has special offers that are just for members of Amazon Prime.  You can sign up for a free 30-day trial of Amazon Prime now, and that will carry you through the holiday shopping season.

Take advantage of price matching.

Many big department stores have price matching policies that will allow you to get great deals, and some will even match online prices.  Just make sure you know the store policies and bring any documentation you’ll need (like a smartphone or the printed sales flyer) to get the price match.

Shop with credit cards.

Consider shopping with a credit card if you know you will be able to pay the balance in full when the bill comes.  Many credit cards have price protection programs that allow you to get a refund if the price drops within 30 to 60 days of your purchase.  In addition, some credit cards will reward you with cash back on your purchases.

Don’t forget about cash back.

And speaking of cash back… If you’re shopping online, be sure to shop through a website like Ebates, Swagbucks, or Top Cash Back. You’ll earn up to 40% cash back on Black Friday and if you use your rewards credit card, you’ll earn even more.

Grab some gift card deals.

You can save money on your Black Friday shopping if you watch for gift card deals.  Many stores offer free gift cards if you buy a gift card worth a certain amount.  For example, some restaurants will give you a $10 gift card when you buy a $50 one.

You can also save money on your shopping by purchasing discounted gift cards through sites like Raise.  Get your discounted gift card before you head to the stores to do some shopping. The best part? You won’t be able to overspend when you shop with a gift card!

Don’t shop at all on Black Friday.

The best way to save money on Black Friday? Skip it!  Black Friday has a lot of great deals, but it’s not always the best time to buy during the holiday season.  There will always be more deals, and resisting the chaos and pressure of Black Friday can help you save money.

Now it’s your turn:  What are some unusual ways you save money on Black Friday?

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