Whether you’re an in-person Black Friday enthusiast or prefer to skip the crowds by shopping online, there are countless ways to maximize your holiday shopping savings. From Black Friday deals to Cyber Monday discounts and beyond, these tips will help you unlock the best discounts of the season and make the most of every sale.

Subscribe to store email lists.

Decide which stores you want to shop at a few weeks before Black Friday. Then, visit each store’s website and subscribe to their email list. Early signup ensures you receive all promotional emails for Black Friday and Cyber Monday events and ongoing savings through the holidays.

Buy discounted gift cards

Save even more by purchasing discounted gift cards from sites like Raise.com for stores where you plan to shop. Use these cards to buy sale and special-buy items for extra savings. Just be sure you’ll shop at those stores to avoid unused savings. Discounted gift cards also make excellent gifts for the holiday season.

Collect Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.

Track deals as they appear in newspapers, mail, and email. A few days before these hot shopping days, check your favorite stores online to preview Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday discounts. Print any coupons you find and keep them organized in a safe place.

Organize and plan for the big shopping day.

Once you’ve gathered all the deals, sort them based on your holiday shopping list. Compare prices, check when sales or doorbusters begin, and if items have limited quantities. Create a strategy: if waiting hours in line for a limited time doorbuster isn’t feasible, focus on other valuable deals.

Prepare a ‘second-best’ list.

You can’t be everywhere at once and will surely miss a deal or two. So, prepare for that possibility and know where to go and what to look for as a backup plan.

Prepare a ‘second-best’ list.

You cannot be everywhere at once, and some deals may be missed, so plan for alternatives. Know which stores to check and what items to look for as a backup.

Watch for early bird freebies.

Many stores offer the first 25 or 100 customers free prizes. While tempting, arriving early might mean waiting until the crack of dawn, spending hours in line, and missing out on other Black Friday savings. Weigh whether these early bird incentives are worth the time and effort.

Black Friday isn’t always the best day for top bargains.

Do your research. Many stores kick off Black Friday deals early to generate excitement, with some discounts starting on Thanksgiving and even the Wednesday before. Cyber Monday and December sales also often feature comparable—or even better—bargains. Researching these options will help you time your purchases for maximum savings well into December.

Consider late-day shopping.

If you prefer to avoid Black Friday’s morning chaos, consider shopping later in the day. Most early birds start at dawn and have finished by evening, and stores are quieter—ideal for finding Black Friday deals without the crowd.

Shop online for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.

If you’d rather avoid the in-store madhouse shopping, look online. Many retailers offer the same discounts on their websites as in-store. Remember that inventory may still be limited, even online, so complete each checkout promptly to avoid losing items in your cart. If you’re shopping for multiple items from a store, multiple checkouts may help ensure you do not lose that sought-after item in your basket.

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Arrange your finances in advance.

If you plan to pay by credit card, plan well so that credit is available. Pay off your credit card balance at least two weeks before the holiday shopping season to allow for processing time. Use credit cards that offer cashback or reward points to maximize your savings. If you prefer debit, check your balance before shopping to avoid surprises. Also, avoid carrying cash in crowded places to reduce the risk of pickpockets.

Avoid using carts.

On Black Friday, skip the shopping cart unless you purchase heavy items. Instead, carry a large shopping bag or tote. Carts slow you down in crowded stores, where space is limited, and people may be unwilling to budge.

Hold off on toy purchases.

Black Friday isn’t always the best time for toy deals. The first week of December typically offers more significant savings on popular toys.

Use social media for extra savings.

Many retailers offer exclusive coupons and discounts to people who ‘like’ them on social media. Check the Facebook or Instagram pages of the stores where you plan to shop for special offers or limited-time deals.

Check on return policies. 

While most major retailers have flexible return policies, some do not. Review return policies before buying and request gift receipts to make exchanges or returns easier for your recipients.

Avoid impulse buying.

One of the easiest ways to lose your savings is through impulse purchases. Mentally prepare yourself to avoid grabbing unnecessary “great buys” in the heat of the moment.

Get extra savings with instant store credit.

Many stores offer 10% to 25% off when you open a store credit card at checkout. This can be worthwhile if you pay off the balance immediately and avoid unnecessary charges. Otherwise, the long-term interest costs will exceed the savings you gain.

Make sure a sale is “really” a sale.

Some stores inflate prices before reducing them to create the illusion of a deal. Furniture stores, in particular, are known for this tactic, but other retailers also use it for select merchandise. Do your research to ensure you’re getting a real bargain.

Avoid the urge to price match.

Most stores won’t honor price matching on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. However, it’s worth trying outside these two days.

Be prepared for long lines.

Before heading out, equip yourself with music, audiobooks, or games on your phone to pass the time in line. Download Black Friday apps like Dealnews, Slickdeals, Shopkick, Flipp, or The Coupons App to track the latest offers. Use the wait also to browse online stores and watch for rotating deals.

Organize yourself to get rebates.

Print rebate forms before you shop to stay organized. Request duplicate receipts for rebate purchases and keep them in a safe place, such as your wallet, purse, or envelope. When you get home, put them in a dedicated spot where you can easily find them. If you shop online, use the Ebates app (Rakuten) to apply rebates from participating websites automatically.

Think twice about extended warranties.

In most cases, extended warranties aren’t worth the extra cost, as most electronics already include a manufacturer’s warranty for defects. Consider an extended warranty for items that face frequent accidents, like cell phones or small personal electronics you carry daily.

These tips will help you maximize holiday shopping and secure the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Now, go out and shop to your heart’s content!