Tips to Shopping Black Friday and Cyber Monday like a Pro

Black Friday and Cyber Monday often provide the best deals of the year and with USA Today predicting that Cyber Monday will outshine most of the offerings on Black Friday this year, the lines between the two continue to blur. Shopping in stores during this busy season is a highlight of the year for some, but it can be stressful. Likewise the number of online sites and web-only deals can be enticing, but can also overwhelm. Fortunately, the holiday shopping experience doesn’t have to be either stressful or overwhelming, thanks to some strategic tips from U.S. Cellular on how your smartphone can become your best shopping pal.

Whether you like to shop from your couch or visit all of the stores during busy shopping times, smartphones can assist in ensuring you are efficient in your purchases, leaving more time to enjoy the rest of the season’s offerings. Below are examples of great apps that can assist in your shopping, no matter where you are checking out:

In order to find the best deals around, the Slickdeals is one app bargain hunters will want to have at their fingertips this Black Friday. Millions of users submit, vote and comment on deals across the nation SO the best deals rise to the front page. Of the millions of sales and promotions across the web on any given day, the 30 best deals across the nation make it to the Slickdeals Frontpage every day. This app will help you find the best deals on Black Friday, as chosen by fellow deal seeking shoppers.  Using this app can be used on Androids or Apple phones and saves time by helping users determine where to get the lowest price.  Finding the best deal has never been easier, which is perfect for those who want the top sought after popular items.

Navigating through stores on Black Friday is sometimes half the battle, which is why some prefer to do their shopping online. However, Google Maps offers store-specific maps for stores known for their Black Friday deals, including Macy’s, Best Buy and Toys R Us, among others. The app will show where sale products are located in the store so users spend less time searching the aisles.  So after waiting in line, you know directly which way to go once you enter the store.  Sounds fabulous.  We've all seen news tapes of shoppers waiting in lines and when the doors open, go running wildly into the store.  Now they will know which aisle to go to first.

And for those of you like me who prefer to skip the crowds altogether and shop online on Cyber Monday, the Amazon Mobile app presents users with amazing deals and can help them to get the best price for the item they are shopping for, all in one place. With Amazon Mobile, users are able to zip through their shopping from home on their smartphones and tablets, with [Wave 1, 2, 3: the 4G LTE network, with speeds of up to 10 times faster than 3G] U.S. Cellular’s high-speed network so they can finish shopping and spend more time with family and friends.  I sure can use that.  I look at Amazon a lot anyway, and this app helps me get the best deal, which is why I shop Cyber Monday and avoid the lines, and spend more quality time with family during the busy holiday season.

For those a little less prepared for Black Friday 2014, the Shopkick app can help you out the moment you enter the store. Shopkick helps discover all the best products at stores closest to you. Various stores like Target, Macy's, Best Buy, Old Navy, American Eagle, JCPenney, Sports Authority and Crate & Barrel have partnered with the app to give you instant deals the moment you walk into their retail store. Plus, the more you visit the stores, you receive more as it rewards you with kicks (points) just for walking in the door. Get even more kicks when you scan items and make purchases. Points can then be redeemed for gift cards at your favorite stores. The more you use the Shopkick app on your Androids or Apple phones during Black Friday and throughout the holiday season, the more rewards you gain, helping you get even more deals for all your gift shopping.  This app rewards you for shopping, how cool is that?

Remember if a new cellphone is on your child's Christmas wish list, consider a personalized and customized Parent Child Agreement to ensure your child understands expectations that comes with the privilege of using a cell phone.  

Disclosure:  As a member of U.S. Cellular's Better Moments Blogger Brigade, I have been compensated for my post.  All opinions expressed are my own.