The senior Black Friday survival guide

Posted

 

While others are flocking to the Vancouver or Lloyd Center Mall to stock up on half-price TVs and discount toasters, the savvy shoppers will be staying local and taking advantage of what some of the local shops, and even major franchises have to offer. 

With just a few “pre-game” tips, shopping for your spouse, son, daughter, grandson or granddaughter on Black Friday can be more productive and even enjoyable. 

 

Have a plan, map it out 

As you pound the linoleum paths of the Black Friday discount jungle, it will quickly become apparent that the line between shopping frugality and intemperance is a thin and grey one. Having a plan before you dive in will help with savings, endurance and overall survival. 

First, decide exactly what items you’re targeting. This will keep you on task throughout the day and will save you time so when it’s time to swing by the local furniture shop for that buy 10 get 50 free throw pillows deal, you won’t be too tuckered out to go in. 

Furthermore, having a goal when you enter each store will keep you from wandering pointlessly. Given the festive manner with which most stores and shops will be adorned, you may likely fall into the dangerous vortex of “ the Christmas spirit.” The combination of pointless wandering and the Christmas spirit can be detrimental to one’s pocket book. 

 



Bigger isn’t

always better

Sure, you might have trouble finding a cooler that doubles as a drone for your grandson at some of the local shops in Battle Ground, but what is lost in airborne food carriers is made up with hometown flare and stimulation of the local economy. While Fred Meyer has prided itself in the past, and probably this year as well, on having troughs of coffee and donuts available to reward the early bird shoppers, major franchises aren’t the only ones offering a side of goodies with their discounts. 

For example, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Black Friday,  Posh + Tattered, at 14 SE Clark Ave. in Battle Ground, is offering a warm scone and a cup of coffee for patrons who come into their shop looking for 20 percent off rustic and vintage boutique decor. And just down the road and around the corner at 502 E Main St., Music World will be offering 10 percent off all American made guitars. These are only two examples of what a stroll through just one part of Battle Ground can offer. Plus, why buy a flying cooler when you can use that money buy a new — American made — guitar at Music World and maybe a vintage amp at Posh + Tattered to go with it?

 

Pack some snacks 

This one should be obvious. If you’re planning an all-day shopping extravaganza on the biggest shopping day of the year, where you will be rubbing elbows with others who have the same plan and are hoping to snatch up some of the discount items you’ve had your heart set on since you saw them roughly six hours before, you’re going to need some proper sustenance. While granola bars and Gatorade make sense, they certainly aren’t a lot of fun considering the plethora of Thanksgiving leftovers that are probably waiting at home. Instead, make a turkey sandwich or bring along a couple pieces of pie — or, even better, both. 

These few small tips can make a big difference on Nov. 25 when you break out of your food coma and hit the stores to buy the family some gifts. Just remember, if things go south, carts make great barricades.