INDIANAPOLIS — The snow is falling and the holiday shopping season is upon us.
The Queen of Free, Cherie Lowe, has a first look at Black Friday and how to prepare for the biggest shopping day of the year.
While it may seem counterintuitive, Lowe said the best prices may not always come on Black Friday. The past two years, there were plenty of deals that did not drop lower on Black Friday.
Also, check your store's price match policy. Several big stores, including Lowe's, Target and Walmart, are offering price matching this holiday season. If you find an item you've already purchased is on sale for a lower price at another store, you can bring your receipt back to customer service and get the difference back.
While Black Friday is still more than a week away, some ads are already popping up online. Websites like TheBlackFriday.com gathers the ads in one place for easier navigation.
If Saturday's snow has you in the holiday mood and you're ready to show now, some stores are spreading Black Friday deals throughout November.
Once you start shopping, remember the basics to help keep your finances in line. Lowe recommends sticking to your plan - knowing what you're shopping for and what deals are available to try to avoid wandering.
Finally, track your spending.
"It’s easy to go overboard when we’re excited about savings. And while Christmas is a time to be generous, you still want to pay your bills in January," Lowe said.
She suggested shopping with cash only, so when you reach your shopping budget, you're done, with no credit card bills to worry about down the road.