Today starts the infamous “Black Friday” craze, where everyone stays up to the wee hours of the morning and shops until they drop. But, the real question is: Do you really have to go out to get the deals that you want? The answers is: no! With “Gray Thursday, Black Friday, Cyber Sunday and Monday, and Small Business Saturday” you can almost guarantee that you will still get the deals you want throughout the Thanksgiving weekend and week after as well.

The key to a successful shopping experience during this time of year is having a strategy. Know where you want to go, have a budget, make a list, print out and bring coupons, and research “BOGO” sales. Buy one, get one sales are more popular than ever before. Many stores and businesses offer BOGOs on products you already use and want. They want your return business. This shopping season is all about getting and keeping YOU, the customer wanting more. Be mindful when shopping this holiday season.

Have a good time and be financially responsible. Remember, that credit card statement will be waiting for you at the end of the month. Make sure that you are not setting yourself up for end of year “Holiday Dread” of paying for everything that you think you needed, and could have waited to purchase.

Jenice