It’s that time again, Black Friday 2020, Small Business Saturday 2020, and Cyber Monday 2020. These days we may as well call the entire month of November Black Friday!
Due to the Pandemic, many big-box retailers have begun their sales and many will continue these sales until the end of the month. All of that means that now is the time to start shopping the deals.
How I Shop
Most companies hold a few sales every year, so I look for special deals beginning at 40% off (including shipping). If the items I seek are from a company that does not regularly hold sales throughout the year, then I am willing to lower that threshold to 30% off.
The key is to actually get a deal that otherwise would not be available for the rest of the year. It can be tempting to shop until you drop, but I prefer to get the items I need and save the rest of my funds for Holiday presents.
Also, this year I plan to shop in-store first! I want to support small businesses and help to keep our local economy as vibrant as possible. Then, I will purchase things from my list online.
This is a special year. As a result, I do not anticipate seeing much of my family, so this year, I hope to save more than I spend. My financial goals are always at the front of my mind, and these purchases have been planned for within my budget.
I DO NOT use credit with the intention of paying anything off over time to take advantage of sales. Doing so would negate any discount with the high-interest rates of most credit cards.
Shop smart, and be ready to walk away from items that do not yield large savings. The whole point of taking advantage of Black Friday is significant discounts, so I do a bit of research to make sure I am getting the best price possible.
My Black Friday/Cyber Monday 2020 Wish List
Quality Cookware
When I moved to Atlanta, I knew it would be simpler to make such a big move if I sold and trashed as many things as possible. I have a small storage space, but I did not want to bring more than could be transported in a small Uhaul and my SUV.
As a result, my old pot set had to go!
It has been my intention to purchase new cookware set for years! My old set was a collection of single pots previously purchased from Home Goods matched with a few from my ex-boyfriend. They saw me through the aches and pains of learning to cook, and basically needed to be trashed years ago.
I am not moving until Spring, but I think now is the best time to get a deal on a quality pot set. I have my eye on the All-Clad 10-piece 3-ply cookware set or the Calphalon Signature Stainless Steel 10-piece cookware set.
The intention is to purchase a high-quality stainless steel cookware set that will last. I’m looking for several layers of an aluminum core and the ability to move the pots from stove to oven without issue. I love cooking, so my pots and pans get tons of use and durability is a must!
This is the type of cookware that if maintained properly, can last me forever.
Usually, I find these cookware sets in Crate and Barrel or on Amazon, but All-Clad has a sneaky new Factory Outlet website that I am stalking this year for a good deal. Also, the big-box department stores tend to have sales on Cookware as well, so I am shopping for the best price on an expensive set from Macy’s, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Kohl’s as well.
Loungewear Sets
In a previous post, I spoke about my new obsession with loungewear. So far, the quality of the luxury and designer sets I own wash best. I do not want to purchase several loungewear sets only to throw them away in Spring.
Instead, I am investing in a few sets to add to my capsule wardrobe, that with care, will last for at least five years.
Since the Pandemic began, I have begun to expand my Capsule Wardrobe sneaker collection as well, so now I live in sneakers and loungewear sets. My favorite sneaker options for loungewear are Air Force One’s, Pumas, and Converse.
I own two loungewear sets that I deem appropriate to wear from home to errands. Therefore, since I live in loungewear, I want to expand my collection a bit more.
I’m thinking three more sets will do the trick.
The Fancy Homebody shop has not released any details on their next sale date, but I have my eye on the Stay Ready 2-piece set. I am hoping to purchase the mocha or black color options.
If the store does not open next week, then I will turn to Nike or Adidas for a cute set. I really want a mocha or chocolate set and another rich jewel tone variety to get me through Fall and Winter.
Ideally, I would not turn to fast fashion houses for capsule wardrobe pieces, but hopefully purchasing quality items will help me cut waste by maintaining the loungewear sets I purchase for several years.
For the body
I need to stock up on some Winter Beauty Essentials, and I may as well get a discount on some of my favorite items. Every year, I stock up on Dream Body Creme from Annabelle’s Perfect Blend during her Cyber Monday sale.
My favorite scents are Oatmeal Milk & Honey and Cucumber Basil Mint. However, the cream comes in a wide variety of scents. This year, I also plan to purchase a few pots of the Coffee Body Scrub as well.
The consistency of the Dream Body Creme is like a thick lotion, and my skin drinks it up. I like the fact that it is butter but does not leave any residue and it sinks into my skin. The price point is in the mid-high range, but the business usually gives a good Black Friday discount.
Plus, one jar lasts me at least a month, and did I mention that the scent options are stellar? Speaking of smell goods, if I buy perfume, I only buy it once a year during Black Friday.
This year, I plan to expand my small collection of signature scents by adding a bottle of Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne by Jo Malone. It’s a unisex scent, more of the fresh woodsy scent variety, which is right up my alley.
Department stores tend to have the best deals on fragrance, so I am shopping around for the best price tag on the 3.4 ounce bottle of perfume. I am still on the hunt for that perfect rose scent variety, so if you have any suggestions, please leave them in the comments below.
What I am staying away from
Every single year, without fail, I stock up on hair care products, but now my hair product stash is to the point where that is unnecessary. I still haven’t opened many of the conditioners I purchased during the Black Friday 2019 sales.
Plus, thanks to my lovely followers, companies are starting to add me to PR lists. I do not need to purchase products, instead, I need to use up my stash.
This year, my purchasing focus is on filling in a few gaps in my wardrobe and preparing for winter. However, I was asked to share my go-to Black Friday haircare sales, so I shared a Black Friday Sales Guide over on the Youtube channel.
It was fun to go through all of my usual stops for natural hair deals, but my goal is to stay far away from haircare for Black Friday 2020 sales. If you are on the hunt, be sure to shop Sally Beauty right now and stalk the social media of The Mane Choice. Every year, without fail, they have the best sale.
Furthermore, I am not purchasing any makeup. After, de-stashing my collection, I am quite happy with how much makeup I own. Plus, I do not see any significant sales on any of the makeup I usually purchase.
Makeup companies tend to hold sales throughout the year, and if not, then I can always get a discount on items via Sephora or Ulta. Also, I haven’t been excited about any Holiday drops this year, so makeup is not even on my radar.
2020 Stock Problems
2020 continues to be a trash year, and this moment is no different. Every retailer has stock and shipping issues, so the availability of everything on my list is limited.
Obviously, if I can purchase anything from a local store, I am more likely to actually receive the items I buy by the end of the year. Of late, my online purchases have been back-ordered or become unavailable quickly.
A Small Request
Please be sure to shop with small businesses! Small businesses employ a large part of the American workforce, and many people are relying on their small business for their entire income this year.
I am not and will never encourage anyone to spend money they do not have, so stay away from credit card usage as much as possible. Lastly, do your research! Not every sale is a deal, so shop smart this Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday 2020.
