My Plan to Shop Black Friday Without Battling Crowds

Camping in front of a store or elbowing my way through hordes of people in hopes of getting a bargain is not my idea of fun. But it is possible to enjoy holiday shopping on Black Friday and save money without battling crowds of sleep-deprived shoppers. My strategy is to shop at CVS and Walgreens.

CVS Black Friday
The CVS ad preview shows over $40 in free after rebates specials on products such as toiletries. Shampoo is not on my holiday shopping list, but it is still a great deal. Using manufacturer coupons from newspapers brings my out of pocket cost down, but CVS rebates the shelf price. Even after sales tax, my instant rebate will exceed what I spend.

Although some people game the system, these instant rebate deals are mostly limited to one per household. I expect to find at least some of the sale items in stock despite the busy shopping holiday.

The rebate comes in Extra Care Bucks and there are some restrictions, but I can turn around and use them to purchase gifts or save them for a future sale. I plan to check out the name brand fragrances.

Walgreens Black Friday
The Walgreens ad shows instant rebate specials comparable to CVS. Again, it mostly includes toiletries. However, some of these products are useful as stocking stuffers. Others are useful around the house or as donations to charity.

Shopping sales at the neighborhood Walgreens is a bit trickier because it usually gets picked clean very early and there are no rain checks on this special. On the upside, the regular ad features good deals on many items, including wrapping paper, tape, candles and memory cards. At the very least, I hope to save on some of the basics.

How to Shop Black Friday without Battling Crowds
Black Friday is not always the crowded chaos shown in the newspapers. Try these simple tips to enjoy holiday shopping without the headache.

Shop neighborhood stores.
Neighborhood stores are an excellent alternative to more popular Black Friday destinations. Drugstores and discount stores have a decent selection of toys, gift, decorations and wrapping paper. Instead of offering a price break on a few must-have items, these stores will have sales on many holiday essentials.

Try unconventional destinations.
Even as people camp out in front of certain stores, other stores never seem to garner much notice. Check out the Black Friday ads from unconventional destinations, such as office supply and sporting goods stores. Check the ads and you will see they sell much more than copy paper and camping gear.

Check Thursday's newspaper for Black Friday specials and coupons.
Despite all the Black Friday leaks, there may be some surprises left. Check the Thursday newspaper for the latest specials.

Keep your senses.
Every year, there are reports of skirmishes or accidents due to stupidity and rudeness. Try to stay in good spirits and mind your manners. Saving a few dollars is not worth marring your holiday memories. Besides, there is always Cyber Monday!